Hello there!
I was wondering what people on here use for general household related peojects and general recurring task management.
I feel like it would be easier to get stuff done if my wife and I could have a place to store and real time add/update information on things. Notes on the fridge don’t cut it anymore, as life gets complex.
I was looking into NextCloud AIO. I don’t care much for the mail, file sync or call and chat features. But a shared calendar and the Deck app with tasks sound useful. Along with the cookbook app that exists.
I was also checking out independent-ish solutions like Vikunja and Kitchen owl. I was also looking for a MS whiteboard-like thing to use, and Excalidraw came up. It is possible to tie all these together with a dashboard, so it doesn’t feel like it’s all over the place I am sure. But the wife approval factor is also something I have to keep in mind. Also, mobile apps are hit and miss in my opinion.
If you have extendes experiences with the above tools or alternatives that you use, please share how you like it! I could use some perspective before I deploy stuff to “prd”.
We definitely use the calendar on Nextcloud. Everyone has their own one and it’s shared with the other. We tried using tasks but that didn’t work out for us, but I’d say it’s more because of us and not for a lack of tools. Both work with open source apps on Android.
What’s worked best for us for our groceries is a dedicated Signal group. By now even our children are in that one.
Set up the regular Nextcloud install, instead of the AIO. The AIO is not required for any of the things you need, so you end up with lots of stuff you are not gonna touch.
I use Nextcloud with:
- Calendar
- Contacts
- Cookbook
- Notes
- Tasks
- Polls
Tasks can work together with the Tasks.org Android client and there are seperate apps for Notes and Cookbook, while Calendar and Contacts can integrate with your mobile apps via DavX5 using CalDav.
Apple reminders, Apple calendar, Apple notes etc
Wife and I use KitchenOwl for grocery list. It’s nice. I should look into using Nextcloud for more.
Our household revolves around the amazing Tasks.org Android app. Originally, I would sync the tasks using a Baïkal server because I prefer lightweight solutions. But since then, I’ve moved on to Nextcloud because I sometimes need a desktop overview of our tasks (and enjoy the other functionality). Nextcloud Tasks is very similar to Tasks.org, which I prefer over Vikunja etc.
Simple shared task lists have worked very well to keep track of chores, shopping and other reminders
For taking notes, keeping recipes etc. I use Joplin
I’m afraid of falling into the trap of having too many new toys to play with, so I’ll keep simplicity and tasks.org in mind! For taking notes for myself, I have Obsidian set up the way I like it. I must say, I under utilize that one as well. Joplin, I used in university some years ago. I should maybe revisit it to see if I find any use for it.
Tasks.org and logseq here, ended up being the simplest way after bouncing off grocy and other overly detailed systems.
Tip: before going through with hosting NextCloud, you could get /e/ accounts, they don’t give much space but since it’s just rebranded NextCloud, you can try it out and see if it works for you.
Currently we use several tasks boards so chores are separate by type (shopping list, maintenance, bills, chores) and logseq’s journal on the app makes it flexible to take notes or whatever you need (audio notes, pics, links, etc)
