There is never enough time in the day, and most of us fall into bed at night exhausted from the work we did and frustrated over the tasks we didn’t get to. For many, time is used up in jobs and activities we never wanted to do in the first place – like laundry, house cleaning and errands
This article has 10 fabulous time saving tips you cannot live without, especially if you want to limit the time you spend on less enjoyable activities – and have more time for the people and passions you really want to pursue.
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Presort Laundry
Sorting laundry each week can take an exorbitant amount of time, especially if you have a large family to look after. Pace a laundry sorter in your laundry room with bags for whites, darks and lights and have family members put their dirty clothes there at the end of the day. When the bag gets full, toss the clothes in the washer for a lightning-fast load.
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Delegate Jobs
No one said that Mom or Dad has to shoulder the responsibilities of the household alone. Create a chore chart with a few simple tasks that you children can do, based on their ages and skill levels. Each week or month, mix up the chores so no one gets bored with the same task.
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Maintain a Calendar
Sure, a calendar takes time to create and maintain, but the time savings in the long run is far worth the initial investment. Get in the habit of looking a few days ahead and adding items to your shopping list like snacks for soccer or a new leotard so you can pick up what you need on your next errand day.
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Use a Reminder Service
Online reminder services help you remember everything from Grandpa Fred’s birthday to when your car is due for a tune-up. Shop around to find a service that provides the specific reminders you need and sign up. Some will even provide eCard services so you can remember those special events with ease.
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Consolidate Errands
Try to do all of your errands in a single trip or two each week, and head in a clockwise direction to hit all of the stops you need. Not only will you save time, but you will also save gas in the process. The clockwise cycle keeps you away from time-consuming left turns. Keep a few snacks or water bottles in the car to save time in drive-through lanes as well.
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Equip Your Car
Your car becomes your home away from home when you have a busy family, so equip it appropriately. A few snacks, water bottles and first aid kit will keep you moving through your day without unnecessary stops. Other good items to include: a book, games for the kids and extra jackets and clothing.
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Multi-Task
Multi-tasking is most effective for keeping up with your exercise routine, since you can workout while catching up with your favorite television program or spending time with a friend. Always bring a project along with you on errand day as well, so if you get stuck in a line, you can write notes, address envelopes or finish that novel.
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Make a List
Shopping lists will prevent the problem of having to return to the store for forgotten items – a big time waster! Keep an ongoing list on your refrigerator or counter throughout the week and train your family to put items on the list as they get low. You can also keep a master list on your computer of things you regularly buy. Simply print of the list, highlight the items you need and go!
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Create Stations
Whether it is for your makeup, bill paying or favorite craft, stations keep all of your supplies in one easy-to-access spot. Use plastic boxes or organizers to keep all of your supplies neat and tidy and label the outside of the box so you can grab the necessary station and go.
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Use Tivo
Watching television can be a relaxing pastime, but why be constrained by the network’s schedule and spend a large percentage of your time staring at commercials? Instead, use Tivo to record the programs you like and watch them at your convenience. Fast forwarding through commercial can easily shave off a significant portion of your viewing time as well.
Sometimes saving time is as easy as exercising a little ingenuity and creativity to cut down on the hours you spend at particular tasks every week. With these time savers in hand, you can shave minutes – or even hours – off your days so you have more time for the people and activities you love most in your life.
