Work, kids, marriage, cleaning, cooking...the list goes on and on. You have plenty to do and wasting time isn't an option. Give these time-saving hacks a try and start enjoying the things that really matter:
1. Shop online
Avoid compulsive buys and long lines you would get in the store and just buy it online. Even produce can be shipped directly to your door.
2. Easy dinners
Dinner shouldn't take hours to prepare. Make delicious and healthy meals in under 10 minutes. Click here for ideas.
3. Use the slow-cooker (for everything)
Slow-cookers are huge time savers. Dump your ingredients in and let the slow-cooker do the rest. No fail dinners and easy breakfasts are just a few hours away. These meals would also make great leftovers for lunches, making your life even easier.
4. Color coded keys
Use fingernail polish to color code your keys. Finding the right key to your lock will never be a problem again (saving you from getting frustrated when you are scrambling to unlock the front door).
5. Sweeping square
Create a fun game for the kids that also helps clean the house. Tape a square on the kitchen floor, hand them a broom and sweep all the dust, crumbs and debris into the square.
6. Shoe shopping
Leave your kids at home, but take their feet with you. Trace their bare feet on paper and write their name, the kind of shoes they need (and their current shoe size, for reference) on the back.
Leave the kiddos with dad or a babysitter, and head off to the store for a quick and easy errand. "Try on the shoes" by holding up the shoe to the traced footprint.
7. Take power naps
Mom can't be the Energizer Bunny without powering up. Take a 30 minute nap or relax when your kids nap. You will feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the rest of your day.
8. Keep important things handy
Have a first aid kit available, a copy of important documents accessible and a list of emergency contacts prepared, just in case. In your purse, have some extra cash and always carry a pen.
9. Organize things in containers
Organize clothes, toys, blankets or anything else that's lying around in bins and baskets. This makes cleanup fast and easy.
10. To-do lists
Keep a to-do list for every day. It will help you keep track of important, urgent, work related, family related and other tasks that need to be accomplished that day. Writing tasks down will help organize your thoughts and keep you on top of things. Review the list to cross off completed tasks before adding new things.
11. Plan ahead
Prep lunches and set out clothes the night before. Try planning the week's wardrobe on Sunday. Have everything ready to grab and go.
12. Grocery shop once a week
Plan a menu for the whole week. Get all of your grocery shopping done at once so you aren't wasting time with multiple trips. Meal prep goes faster when you already know what you're making and have all of the ingredients.
13. Have a "touch it once" policy
Take care of your tasks right away. Don't keep revisiting the task that should only take a couple of minutes. A good example is when folding laundry or dealing with your mail: take care of it right away to keep it from piling up.
Do you have any great time-saving hacks? Comment and tell us what saves you time!
