Ever try juggling chainsaws while blind folded standing on one foot? Sometimes it seems like that would be easier than juggling you and your family’s busy schedules. Sure you’ve tried date books, wall calendars, online options and post-it notes, but we haven’t found anything that works as well as Cozi to help manage hectic lives.
Cozi is a website/app that will organize everything from every family member’s individual schedules to your shopping list. Best of all, whatever gets entered on the site can be viewed on your iPhone, iPad, Android, Android tablets and through the browser on other mobile devices (and vice versa). Functionality that significantly cuts down on those “What! I didn’t know we had to be there, then!” moments.
A super simple to-do list function will keep you on track, and you’re even able to email tasks to other family members. Pssst, here’s a great tip from Carley, email or text yourself reminders too—it’s a life saver.
So check out this week’s Twirl and find out about one of our long-time favorite organizational tools that will simplify your life, and make juggling your schedule a lot easier… and safer.
21 Comments
Eliza says:
Certainly a good one to have on the phone!
I'll definitely recommend it to my friends!
Eliza says:
Just found out it's not available in Australia... hmm
CKnobloch says:
Eliza— bummer... i wonder why..?
CKnobloch says:
Eliza— Thanks, and enjoy!
Ariana says:
Wow, how useful, I signed up right away and using it. Can even print a filled calendar...all with friendly graphics.
Thanks for doing the footwork for us!
CKnobloch says:
Ariana— It's what we do! Enjoy.
Stephanie crider says:
Finally a program that does all. I now can get rid of all my note pads and save a tree. Great job and thank you!
CKnobloch says:
Stephanie— Trees everywhere thank you!
Laurel says:
We've been happily using Cozi for a couple years now. Keeping track of our family of 5 schedules. Printing and posting on fridge. I had no idea I could down load to iPhone... very excited to know I can do that now. Thanks Carley!
CKnobloch says:
Laurel— Always happy to up-level someone's organizational skills! Enjoy the app.
Carol Schiller says:
Hi Carly, This is Carol from Cozi. Tanks for this awesome twirl. We loved it!
To answer the question about Australia, Cozi is available online anywhere in the world, but the phone apps have not been released to international markets yet. Why? Because everyone else uses day/month/year, while in the US we use month/day/year. Can you imagine all the missed appointments if we didn't fix that so it worked right in each location. Yikes! (there are some other reasons too, but that's a biggee.)
But we ARE working on it already. In the meantime non-US users can try the Cozi lite mobile app that you mentioned in the twirl: m.cozi.com - which works everywhere. It's not as good as the full apps since it only has the Calendar and shopping lists on it, but it will get you by until we release the international apps.
Two other quick things:
1. Cozi also has a Blackberry app. (just released this summer) Yippee!
2. You can add a date to any To Do and it drops right onto your calendar. For example, "Call the school nurse 9/14/11". Voila! It will show up on Sept 14 right in your calendar. Try it!
I hope this helps, and feel free to pop by our Facebook page or blog with any other questions. Happy twirling! ^Carol
CKnobloch says:
Thanks for the swift reply, Carol. I'm glad you're on patrol if any other Twirlers have questions.
Carol Schiller says:
Except apparently, I can't spell "thanks". Sigh...
CKnobloch says:
No worries, I'm Just 'tankful' that you're on the comment stream!
Beth says:
Hi Carly!
Cozi has been the key to our grand family plan since January and I love it! Here's a post which talks about our experience with it right here: http://www.olliebop.com/2011/05/the-family-calendar-ultimate-makeover/
The one thing I would change is to be able to search by subject (i.e. "haircut" or "basketball") and have all upcoming appointments pop up. The folks at Cozi are very receptive to suggestions and tell me that's in the works. Thanks for the great Twirl! Beth
CKnobloch says:
Beth— So cool. We'll definitely be tweeting about your article... such a great resource! Yes, I spoke on a panel this summer at BlogHer with Catherine Captain, their Chief Marketing Officer, and I agree— they are so open to customer feedback and suggestions. A great company, to be sure.
Laurie says:
I registered and started using this at Blogher while you two were on the panel (sorry, I just couldn't wait.) I've found it VERY helpful for both the calendar and shopping lists. Didn't know about the task list ability to add to calendar. I'll be trying that out. I was having a bit of trouble moving around shopping items into their subheadings (can do on iphone but not on pc) but I'll check in with Cozi on that now that I see how responsive they are. Key elements that sold me: 1. My youngest (age 9) can add appointments, as can my husband!
2. The ability to connect Outlook (which has all my work appointments) and Google calendars (school calendar) has made it my go-to calendar that shows everything I need to know. I have a lot less stress about missing things in my family or 4's lives.
CKnobloch says:
Laurie— So glad you were at our panel... and are having so much success with Cozi! And good for you for getting the family invested in keeping the schedule up to date!
Jackie says:
Thx for this Twirl. That apps really looks terrific, I can't wait until it's released internationnally on iphone !
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Judy says:
Hi Carley!!
Love your videos...they are very helpful.!!
I need your opinion though...I checked both your Cozi and Gcal videos.....but I don't knnow what to choose. I need a way to enter my appointments and for my husband to do the same, and see everything on one place. Right now, we just use our outlooks at our jobs, and send each other meeting requests when we have to stay late at work.....sth like "judy meeting at 17:00...pick up son from day care"
it will be easier if we could both just put our activitites into one calendar and be able to quickly see who is available or not
thanks a lot for your reply!!!