The 6 Best apps for Your New Year's Resolutions 2024

Kicking off our list at number 6 is "I am Sober," an app that's like a breath of fresh air for anyone looking to start the year on a clean slate. Whether you're embracing Dry January or aiming for a longer-term commitment to sobriety, this app is your steadfast companion. Its supportive community, motivational daily pledges, and progress tracking make sobriety not just an aim but an achievable lifestyle. With "I am Sober," you're not just counting days; you're making each day count towards a healthier, clearer you.

At number 5, we have Calm, the meditation app that serves as a sanctuary for your mind. In addition to its serene guided meditations, sleep stories and calming music, Calm offers a range of features that cater to both beginners and advanced users. It stores a variety of meditation lengths from 3 to 25 minutes, daily new 10-minute meditations and programs ranging from 7 to 21 days. Calm also includes a family plan, daily check-ins for mood tracking and a vast collection of peaceful music. 

Research supports the extensive benefits of meditation, including increased grey matter in the brain, improved memory, mood regulation, anxiety management and better sleep. Calm recognizes these benefits and makes meditation accessible, even for those with limited time, offering exercises and 10-minute sessions. It also includes meditations for children and teens, ensuring mindfulness can be a part of everyone's life.

Next up at number 4 is Duolingo, the fun and engaging way to learn a new language. Ever, for example, fancied speaking French or conversing in Spanish? Duolingo makes it possible in a way that's both effective and entertaining. With bite-sized lessons, interactive challenges and a user-friendly interface, learning a new language skill becomes an adventure. Say "oui" to new languages and "sí" to new horizons with Duolingo.

SoFi, claiming the third spot on our list, has recently made a significant mark in the personal finance world. It's not just its comprehensive suite of financial services that's impressive, but also its recent achievement of winning three prestigious awards from NerdWallet in their 2024 Best-Of Awards. These accolades include Best Checking Account Overall and Best Checking Account for Overdraft Fee Avoidance for SoFi Checking & Savings, as well as Best Personal Loan Overall for SoFi Loans. This recognition solidifies SoFi's position as a top player in both banking and lending.

What truly sets SoFi apart is its member-centric philosophy. With over 7 million members (almost twice the population of Oklahoma), SoFi's mission is to help people achieve financial independence. It offers a wide range of services, from borrowing and saving to investing and protecting money, all integrated into a user-friendly app. Additionally, SoFi provides members with valuable resources like career advisors, Certified Financial Planner™ professionals and exclusive experiences and events, all designed to guide them on their path to financial freedom. 

SoFi's innovation doesn't stop at its financial services; it also includes a comprehensive Technology Platform and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Regulated by the OCC and FDIC and being a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve, SoFi ensures reliability and trustworthiness. The company's recent accolades from NerdWallet, based on evaluations by seasoned journalists and experts, testify to its superior quality and performance in the realm of personal finance, making it an indispensable tool for 2024.

YNAB (You Need a Budget) is particularly poised to be a vital tool for your financial management in 2024, as it offers a comprehensive and user-friendly approach to budgeting. This app is especially relevant in a year where financial planning and management are more critical than ever. With its subscription model and a 34-day free trial, YNAB gives users ample opportunity to explore its robust features without upfront commitment. The app’s key strengths lie in its zero-based budgeting system, goal-setting capabilities and thorough expense tracking. These features are crucial for anyone looking to optimize their financial resources in the new year, helping users set clear financial goals and track progress toward them. 

Moreover, YNAB's focus on security, employing AES 256 encryption and two-factor authentication, ensures users' financial data is protected. This aspect is particularly important as digital financial management becomes increasingly prevalent. The app's strong support system, through live workshops, articles, guides and online forums, provides valuable educational resources, making it an ideal choice for those new to budgeting or looking to enhance their financial knowledge. With positive feedback from users on various platforms, YNAB stands out as a reliable and effective tool for managing finances in 2024, helping users navigate the complexities of budgeting and achieve their financial goals.

Topping our list at number 1 for apps to start 2024 on the right foot is MyFitnessPal. This app is a powerhouse in helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle, going beyond just tracking calories. With MyFitnessPal, you can log both your diet and exercise, neatly categorizing your activities into “Cardiovascular” and “Strength Training.” This feature-rich app includes a vast workout database, simplifying the exercise logging process and even allows you to view the calories you've burned. 

MyFitnessPal really shines in its ability to personalize your health journey. Upon starting, you'll input basic personal details, setting the stage for tailored nutrition and fitness goals. It's like having a digital nutritionist and personal trainer in your pocket! The app also seamlessly syncs with various fitness trackers and apps, such as Fitbit and Apple Watch, ensuring all your health data is in one place. 

But where MyFitnessPal truly stands out is in its food tracking capabilities. Its massive database includes over 300 million food items, so logging your meals and snacks is a breeze. You can even input your own recipes for accurate tracking. Plus, with a premium subscription, you unlock even more features like detailed nutrient analysis and an ad-free experience. Whether you're looking to lose weight, gain muscle or just stay healthy, MyFitnessPal is your go-to app for staying on track with your fitness goals in 2024.