Readers often ask me what tools and resources I use for getting things done, managing money, educating myself, and running this blog. I’ve created this page so you have a handy reference to those resources. This page will evolve over time as I discover new resources, so I’d recommend bookmarking it!

Most of the resources here are completely free. Of the few that aren’t, some contain affiliate links. If you use them, I’ll get a small commission — though there is no extra cost to you. I recommend these resources because I use them myself and have a lot of experience with them. Remember that for each resource, there are other options out there – these are simply what I use and love.

A "computational knowledge engine" that can solve a variety of problems you feed it - math equations, engineering problems, etc. They also have the BEST step-by-step math solution engine, but it costs about $5/month. For free options, check out Symbolab.

A site that offers free video courses on a ton of academic subjects - math, science, humanities, economics, etc. Their math courses are particularly good, integrating challenges and badges to keep you motivated. They also offer prep courses for tests like the SAT, MCAT, etc!

Like audiobooks, podcasts are a great way to learn while you're working out, commuting, cooking, etc. Both iOS and Android come with default podcast apps that work well, but as a podcast addict, I think Pocket Casts is the best podcast manager out there.

A site that helps you learn how to code through guided, hands-on coding projects. They only focus on web development, but if that's what you want to learn, it's an essential resource (and a great companion to Treehouse).

A site that offers online courses developed by professors at real universities - and many of them are free (I took a free Game Theory course that was excellent). It's not the only MOOC out there, but it's the one I have the most experience with.

If you want to learn how to code and you like working through guided courses, Treehouse is an awesome resource. They have courses on programming, web development, and more. I even learned how to build iPhone apps using Treehouse. Use the link below to get a free trial!

The best SRS (spaced-repetition) flashcard program out there. If you need to learn a bunch of facts for a test, or are learning language vocab, you’d be insane not to use Anki.

Brilliant helps you learn math and science concepts through application, not rote memorization. It's a great tool to supplement what you're learning in your STEM classes, or to learn on your own if you're curious about a topic. Pair with Khan Academy for the ultimate STEM self-study combo.

I get interested in new books easily, which means my to-be-read list gets really big, really quick. Blinkist is a site that creates 15-minute summaries of non-fiction books; I really like it because it lets me vet books before buying them, as well as learn things from books that are overly long.

Sometimes you get stuck on a homework problem and no one's around to help you with it - and that's when Chegg Study comes in handy. With a massive database of step-by-step solutions to problems in thousands of textbooks, Chegg Study can help you check your homework answers and finish assignments more quickly.

Want to learn how to study better and become more productive? This is a free book that I wrote with the goal of helping you do just that. Includes chapters on reading textbooks, taking notes, planning better, beating procrastination, writing papers, and more.

An awesome platform for learning new skills. I use it to learn new animation techniques, but they also have courses on photography, graphic design, music production, and more - over 17,000 in total, all at one low monthly price. I also love how most of their courses include hands-on projects to try. Use the link below to get a 2-month free trial!

I'm a HUGE fan of audiobooks - they're a great way to basically double your productivity if you spend a lot of time commuting, running, or doing tasks that don't require much mental effort. Audible is probably the best place to get them, and you can use this link to get a free trial that includes one free audiobook of your choice.

Todoist A beautifully simple task-tracking app. It’s free (with premium features for less than $2.50/month), syncs across all platforms and devices (and the web), has recurring tasks, multiple lists, and is pretty to boot. Get Started

Google Calendar This has been my trusty calendar ever since my freshman year. Learning to use it early on helped me become a pro at managing my time - an essential skill in college. As a bonus, you can also show your Wunderlist tasks as calendar events if you want. Manage Your Time How I Use Mine

The Ultimate Study Music Playlist I study far, far more effectively when I'm listening to music - as long as it's the right kind of music. This is a playlist of 160-odd songs I've been building; it's got a ton of variety, and features music from video game soundtracks, movie/anime scores, and artists from many genres. Start Listening

Brain.fm - Music for Focusing Going one step further than a study playlist, Brain.fm is an app that features music explicitly designed to help you focus on your work. It's got a ton of research and engineering behind it, and as you use it, it'll survey your performance and tailor what it plays to help you improve even more. I find it to be really effective when I'm writing. Start Listening

Toggl - Time Tracker "What gets measured gets managed." When you don't track the time you spend working, you're prone to overestimate how long you actually work. When you do track your time, you'll start to realize just how much you actually work. That, in turn, lets you make targeted improvements. Toggl is a simple, free time-tracking tool that lets you gain those insights. Start Tracking

Freedom - Distraction Blocker It's so easy to procrastinate when you have easy access to distracting websites and apps. Freedom is a program that solves this problem by simply blocking them when you're working. Among all the apps that do this, Freedom works best for me because it works on ALL my devices - no sneaky Redditing on my phone. Block Distractions

TomatoTimer - Pomodoro Timer One of the most effective ways to immediately stop procrastinating is to use the Pomodoro Technique: set a timer for 25 minutes, commit to one task, and do nothing but that task until the timer dings. I do this almost every day, and I use TomatoTimer - a free browser-based app - as my timer. Get Stuff Done

Habitica - Habit Tracker A habit tracking app that I use every single day. I use it for smaller habits – remembering to floss, doing pull-ups, juicing, reading 30 minutes a day, taking vitamins, etc. Without it, I’m prone to letting work take over my life and forgetting to do these things. With it, I’m a small-habit superhero. Build Strong Habits Join Our Guild

Trello - Project Management This is the best tool for managing group projects that I’ve ever used, and it’s free. It uses a task management method called kanban, which essentially works by making each task a "card" that you move from list to list based on its status. If you have a big, complicated project to tackle, you should use Trello for it. Manage Projects

Beeminder - Goal Accountability This is probably the best tool you can use if you want to force yourself to stay productive. It’s called Beeminder because it’s got consequences for goal failure that sting. After failing a goal once, you’ll have to start pledging real money to try again. I've been using it to track my publishing schedule for years. Track Your Goals See My Progress

Dashlane - Password Manager Using the same passwords everywhere is a terrible online security practice. However, remembering tons of passwords is nearly impossible, which is why you need a password manager. Dashlane is the best one I've ever used, and it also has other useful features such as form auto-filling and a VPN. Be More Secure