Introduction
Working from home as a mom means juggling a hundred moving pieces—from client work and content creation to school drop-offs and dinner duty. Over the years, I’ve learned that the right tools can make or break your day. They help you stay organized, simplify communication, automate boring stuff, and—most importantly—buy back your time.
In this post, I’m sharing the tools I rely on every single day. These are the apps and platforms that help me stay sane, get work done faster, and even earn a little extra income. If you’re trying to build a business, blog, or freelance career from home, these tools can become your secret weapon.
Want a quick reference? Download my full affiliate tools list here — including bonuses, tutorials, and exclusive discounts.
How I Choose Tools
Before we get into my favorites, let’s talk about how I choose tools. Because as moms, we don’t have time (or budget) to test every shiny new app. Here’s what I look for:
- Simplicity: I want tools that are easy to use without a big learning curve.
- Time-saving features: If it doesn’t save me time, it’s not worth it.
- Mobile-friendly: I need to work on the go—from my phone in the school parking lot.
- Integrations: I love tools that talk to each other (e.g., Trello + Google Calendar).
- Affordable or freemium: I often start free and upgrade once I see value.
If it makes my life easier and my work smoother, it earns a spot in my toolbox.
Top 5 Time-Saving Tools
Here are my top five tools that I literally use every single day:
1. Canva (Try Canva Free)
Canva is my design lifesaver. I use it for:
- Blog graphics
- Instagram posts
- Printable planners
- Ebook covers
- Pinterest pins
With thousands of templates and drag-and-drop functionality, Canva helps me create professional designs without needing a graphic design degree.
2. Trello (Start Trello)
Trello is my digital brain. I use it to manage:
- Content calendars
- Daily to-do lists
- Client projects
- Product creation workflows
Each board has its own vibe—and I’ve even shared templates with other moms. It’s highly visual, and the drag-and-drop feature keeps me organized.
3. ConvertKit (Start for Free)
ConvertKit is how I grow and talk to my audience. It’s my email marketing hub. I use it to:
- Collect subscribers with landing pages and opt-in forms
- Send weekly newsletters
- Automate product sales
- Create email courses
The visual automation builder is my favorite feature—and it’s easy enough for beginners.
4. Pomofocus
This free web-based Pomodoro timer helps me focus. I work in 25-minute sprints with 5-minute breaks. It’s the only way I stay productive during nap time.
5. Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar)
The classics. I use Docs for blog drafts, Sheets for tracking income and expenses, and Calendar to plan my week. It syncs across all devices—and it’s free.
Free vs Paid Tools
You don’t have to pay for every tool—but some are worth the upgrade. Here’s my approach:
| Tool | Free Version | Paid Plan Worth It? | Why I Upgraded |
| Canva | Yes | Yes ($12.99/month) | Access to pro templates, brand kit |
| Trello | Yes | No | Free version is enough |
| ConvertKit | Yes (up to 1k subs) | Yes (for automations) | Needed advanced tagging |
| Pomofocus | Yes | No | 100% free and simple |
| Google Docs | Yes | N/A | Free with Gmail |
My advice: Start free, upgrade when it helps you save more time or earn more money.
How I Use Them Daily
Here’s a peek into how I use these tools on a regular day:
6:30 AM – Plan My Day
- Open Trello to check my top 3 tasks
- Use Google Calendar to time-block them
8:00 AM – Design Content
- Create Pinterest pin in Canva
- Schedule social post
9:00 AM – Deep Work Sprint
- Set Pomofocus for a 25-minute writing sprint
- Work on blog post in Google Docs
11:00 AM – Email Marketing
- Log into ConvertKit
- Write and schedule weekly newsletter
- Check lead magnet signups
2:00 PM – Admin and Updates
- Update affiliate links in blog post
- Record expenses in Google Sheets
I rarely work more than 4 focused hours per day, and these tools help me get the most out of them.
Earning From Tools
Did you know you can earn from the tools you use?
Affiliate marketing is one of my favorite passive income streams. Here’s how I do it:
- Canva Affiliate: I create tutorials, pins, and blog posts that feature Canva designs
- ConvertKit Affiliate: I teach moms how to start an email list and recommend ConvertKit
- Tool List Blog Post: I have a dedicated blog post linking to my favorite tools (like this one!)
Every time someone signs up through my links, I earn a commission. No extra cost to them.
Want to start? Download my Affiliate Tools Guide — it has step-by-step tips to start earning.
What I’m Testing Next
As my business grows, I’m always testing new tools. Here’s what’s on my radar:
- Podia: For hosting digital products and mini courses
- Notion: For advanced planning and team collaboration
- Descript: For video editing and podcasting
- Flodesk: A beautiful alternative to ConvertKit (especially for visual brands)
I’ll be sharing updates in my newsletter and updating my tools blog regularly.
Putting It All Together
Working from home doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right tools, you can build structure, reduce stress, and create systems that support both your work and your family.
Here’s how to get started:
- Pick your top 3 tools: Try Canva, Trello, and ConvertKit
- Set up a workflow: Use a simple morning routine with Trello + Pomofocus
- Design your day: Use Canva to create a printable schedule
- Start earning: Join affiliate programs for the tools you love
Want my full strategy? Download my Affiliate Tools List and Daily Setup Guide — including templates, links, and promo strategies.
These tools won’t do the work for you—but they will make it easier.
And when you’re balancing home, business, and everything in between, that’s worth everything.
You’ve got this, mama.
