About The Automated Family

We help families and tech-curious individuals save time through smart home automation, software workflows, and productivity systems.

Our Mission

We help families and tech-curious individuals save time and reduce friction through smart home automation, software workflows, and productivity systems — explained simply, with step-by-step guides anyone can follow.

There's a gap in the automation world. Most guides assume you know what an API is or that you're comfortable editing configuration files. But the people who stand to gain the most from automation — busy parents, students juggling schedules, anyone drowning in daily logistics — often don't have that background. That's where we come in.

How We Got Started

The Automated Family started when we realized that the smart home and automation space was full of guides written for engineers — but the people who would benefit most were busy parents, students, and everyday people who just wanted things to work.

We set out to bridge that gap: practical automation tips explained in plain language, tested in real homes, with honest takes on what works and what doesn't. Whether it's setting up motion-activated lights for midnight snack runs or automating your family's chore schedule, we've tried it (and broken it) so you don't have to.

Today, we cover smart home setups, software automation tools, and productivity workflows — all through the lens of "will this actually save a family time?"

What We Cover

Our content falls into three main areas, each designed to help you reclaim time in a different part of your life:

Smart Home

We'll show you how to set up motion-activated lights, automate your thermostat schedule, pick the right smart lock for your front door, and build a security system you can check from anywhere. We cover Home Assistant, SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home — because the best ecosystem is the one that works for your household.

Software Automation

From auto-sorting your email inbox to creating workflows that move data between apps without lifting a finger, we help you automate your digital life. We cover Zapier, Make, IFTTT, Apple Shortcuts, and more — with real examples you can copy and adapt.

Productivity & Family Organization

Meal plans that generate grocery lists. Shared calendars that actually stay in sync. Chore systems that kids (mostly) stick to. Budget trackers that update themselves. We focus on productivity tools and systems designed for how families really work.

Our Approach

Every piece of content we publish follows a few core principles:

  • Tested in a real home. We don't write theoretical guides. If it's on our site, we've set it up, used it, and lived with it.
  • Plain language. We explain things the way you'd want your tech-savvy friend to — clearly, patiently, and without making you feel dumb for asking.
  • Honest reviews. We mention when something isn't worth the money. We note when a product has frustrating limitations. We compare free alternatives to paid tools.
  • Step-by-step instructions. Screenshots, specific settings, and clear next steps — not vague overviews that leave you guessing.
  • Family-focused. Every guide passes a simple test: would this actually save a busy family time? If the answer is no, it doesn't make the cut.

Connect With Us

We'd love to hear about your automation journey — what's working, what's frustrating, and what you'd like us to cover next.

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