Eight Essential Apps to Navigate Quarantine

In the blink of an eye, our world has drastically altered since February. Cities are at a standstill, highways are deserted, and the majority of US states are diligently undertaking stringent measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. For many, this means remaining at home, disrupting our regular schedules and routines. The silver lining, however, is that we can stay connected even when physically separated. To bridge the gap during these isolating times, we have curated a list of eight useful apps.

Connecting Socially

Houseparty (Free): This application is perfect for those who love to keep in touch with friends and meet new people virtually. Houseparty allows you to video chat with multiple individuals, share your screen, partake in games, and join other group calls, essentially transforming it into a social networking version of Facetime.

Instagram (Free): A universal app that needs little introduction, Instagram has become an essential medium for keeping abreast of live content from celebrities, chefs, fitness trainers, friends, and more. A bonus tip: If you have children at home, follow state zoos that host live Q&A sessions featuring different animals daily, allowing kids to interact with zookeepers.

Supporting Local Restaurants

UberEats (Free): This app enables you to continue supporting local restaurants while staying at home. It allows you to search for food by category, recommendation, or dietary restriction, and is currently offering free delivery and contactless "drop-off" services from local establishments.

Postmates (Free): Another fantastic food, grocery, and alcohol delivery service, Postmates facilitates easy ordering through its search bar or various categories. It also offers a "parties" feature for ordering from a popular location at a discounted delivery price. Keep in mind that some restaurants exclusively operate with one app, so be sure to check both if you can't locate your favorite eatery.

Keeping Fit

Nike Training Club (Free): Despite gyms and parks being closed, you can still maintain your workout regimen with this app. It offers free workouts spanning from intensive cardio to calming yoga, with premium features, including meal guides, currently available free to all users.

Freeletics (Free with Optional Upgrades): Missing your workout partner or personal trainer? Freeletics bridges this relational gap, offering standard workout features along with the option for the app to "quick adapt" a workout if you lack certain necessary equipment like dumbbells or a jump rope.

Future Planning

While it's uncertain when normalcy will return, we can prepare for it.

Zillow (Free): As the current interest rates are historically low, house hunting might be on your agenda. Zillow, an exceptional house hunting app, alerts you about new listings and lets you filter your searches to minute specifics, all for free. Some real estate agents are beginning to leverage the Zillow 3D Home Tours app, allowing you to experience virtual tours of listed houses.

Mint (Free): Use this downtime to organize your finances and strategize for the future. Mint is an excellent tool for meticulous planning, goal setting, and offers myriad resources to keep you consistent with your savings and investments.

Ready to prepare for the future? Reach out to us at CrossCountry Mortgage. Let's initiate a conversation today!

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or mortgage advice. Loan programs, rates, and guidelines may change at any time. All loans are subject to credit approval and underwriting. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult a licensed mortgage professional.