Easy #SheSpeaksTips to Save Time & Make Life Easier. Plus, Win a $50 Gift Card & Cute Timer!

    by   SheSpeaksTeam   

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Aug 09, 2017
397

It's a rare day that I don't fall into bed thinking about how busy the day was. I sometimes ask, what am I doing wrong? But when I talk to friends, they all say the same thing: life is busy, it's impossible to get everything done!

I refuse to accept this. There must be ways to save time and still enjoy life without it running us all ragged. So I polled some friends and got some great ideas. Then I tried them out. Read on to find out which tips worked for me - and can work for you too!

How do you save time? Tell us for the chance to win a $50 gift card to either Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts (winner's choice!) and a cute kitchen timer. Plus, submit an easy recipe for a bonus prize. If we use your recipe in an upcoming blog post, we'll send you a $25 Amazon gift card to say thanks!

Multitask

Most experts say that if you are doing two things at the same time, you are not doing either of them well. I beg to differ. On tasks when my brain runs on autopilot, I'm much more efficient when I multitask. For example...

Make a boring chore fun and you'll want to get to it, like ironing while binge-watching TV or cleaning the bathroom while listening to a podcast.

Exercise with a friend: you'll be getting healthier and finding out the latest gossip. Schedule in a weekly time on your calendar and you'll be more likely to stick with it.

Use waiting time, like your train-commute or your kid's gymnastics class, to cross a few things off your to-do list, That quiet time is perfect for finding dinner recipes, ordering groceries online, or doing vacation research. Alternatively, save that time to catch up on social media, and then resist checking your Facebook feed the rest of the day.

Plan for the unpacking while you are shopping: When unloading groceries from your cart to the conveyor belt at checkout, group them in order of where they go in the house, so they get bagged in that order (dairy together, fruit together etc). Then the groceries are easier to unpack when you get home.

Put it in Writing

  • It's so easy to get overwhelmed, thinking about all of the things that need to get done. When that happens, I force myself to write down everything that is spinning in my head. Most times, this list is not as bad as I thought it was, and sometimes I can cross a couple of them off the list in about five minutes. Seeing it in writing can be the kick I need to de-stress and get things done.
  • Figuring out dinner is one chore I dread. So I learned to spend a few minutes on Sunday morning making up the menu for the week, before going grocery shopping. That way, when I come home from a long, busy day, and I am too tired to decide what to make for dinner, I already have a plan and the ingredients ready.

Save Time With a Timer

Reminder: My kitchen timer gets a lot of use, but not just for cooking. It's the perfect way to remind me to get things done. For example, I put it on when I throw in a load of laundry so I don't forget to put the wet clothes in the dryer.

Deadline: Timers are also a good way to create an artificial deadline, like when I'm going through the pile of papers my kids brought home from school. I just put on the timer and try to get it all done in 5 minutes - it forces me to make decisions more quickly and keep me focused.

Note: Make sure the timer is in another room and doesn't stop beeping until you manually turn it off. Is it annoying? Definitely. But does it force me to stop what I am doing and change the laundry? Yes.

Throw It Away

  • Put an empty box at the bottom of your closet. As clothes don't fit or you decide you don't like them, just throw them right in there and donate the box when it is full. That way, you won't have to sort through things at the end of each season.
  • Don't guilt yourself into keeping everything your kids have signed their names to. Keep one spot in your house to display artwork, like the mantle or a shelf. At the end of each month - or when the space is full - take 2 minutes (use the timer!) to clear it out. Throw most of it in the recycling can. Keep only what is really meaningful. If you make sure each child gets just one plastic tub for keepers, it will help you make better choices about what to save.

Let It Go

Elsa was right. We can't worry so much about what other people think - we need to let it go. It's ok to wear those jeans "one more time" before washing them. Store-bought cookies for the school bake sale taste just as delicious to a 5-year old as homemade. Breakfast for dinner is perfectly acceptable. And my favorite: Don’t make your bed. You’re just going to get into it again.

What's your favorite tip to save time? Tell us for the chance to win a $50 gift card to either Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts (winner's choice!) and a cute kitchen timer!

Bonus: What's your favorite quick-fix food? If we use your recipe in a future newsletter, we'll send you a $25 Amazon gift card!

There are three ways to enter:

  1. Comment below and tell us about your favorite way you make life easier. Also, give us your best easy recipe!
  2. Tweet about the giveaway: Click HERE to Tweet: “Check out #SheSpeaksTips to make life easier & enter the @SheSpeaksUp coffee gift card giveaway! bit.ly/2vgbyG8"
  3. BONUS (worth 5 entries!): Post on Instagram: Take a photo of your favorite time-saving tip in action. Tag #SheSpeaksTips, #SheSpeaks and #entry

*One lucky commenter, Tweeter or Instagrammer will be chosen at random to receive a $50 gift card to the winner's choice of either Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, plus a Hitechway Cute Digital Count-Down Up Kitchen Timer. Giveaway is open through August 27th, 2017 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.

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by 1bets1 | Toms River, NJ
Aug 11, 2017

One of my favorite quick fix dinners is pizza on a pita! The pita holds up well to toppings. I usually make mine with sliced tomatoes and mozerella, and just pop in the toaster oven for a few minutes. Sometimes I add salsa. Total prep and cook time is like 7 minutes!

by 1bets1 | Toms River, NJ
Aug 11, 2017

I try to batch cook on a Saturday or Sunday morning. I usually make stuff that I can just heat and eat during the week, such as chili. I'll also prepare a bunch of salad and put it in large ziplock bags.

by Peachesncream887 | NASHUA, NH
Aug 11, 2017

I try to do all little tasks immediately so they do not all build up.

by tweetibird | TACOMA, WA
Aug 11, 2017

To save time, I like to make a list for the week and add or subtract accordingly. My quick fix recipe for Fall is Oven Roasted Veggies. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Chop butternut squash, onion, brussel sprouts, and whole cloves of garlic tossed with olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet and spread veggies evenly so they're not crowded. Roast for 40 minutes, turn veggies after 20 minutes for an even cook.

by sandysandmeyer | unsubscribe, FL
Aug 11, 2017

Here's a quick and easy recipe for non-toxic, chemical-free deodorant: Mix well 1.5 cups of corn starch, 1 cup of melted coconut oil (the solid kind), 2 tbs of baking soda, and 45 drops of a high-quality lemongrass essential oil (Young Living is my fave!) in a bowl. Transfer the mixture to individual glass jars and use daily instead of the stuff you buy at the store and you'll have a fabulous deodorant that keeps the stink away.

by latanyat | SUMMERVILLE, SC
Aug 11, 2017

My husband and I sync our phones with our calender's so that it shows up on each of our phones when something is due, activity planned, birthdays, etc.

by MissSmig | Pleasanton, CA
Aug 11, 2017

I lay out my "flat person" (clothes) the night before.

by Eileenie | CHICAGO, IL
Aug 11, 2017

I use a crock pot to get my meals going or marinate meats ahead of time so I don't have to fool around with dinner later or end up eating too late when I have a busy schedule. I try to think ahead as much as possible, but sometimes you have to live in the moment too.

by Coryography | Texarkana, TX
Aug 11, 2017

My favorite easy recipe is my Presto Pesto. I like to use spiral rotini, or bowtie pasta. I use a half a jar of Barilla pesto, a little bit of olive oil depends on your taste, about 2 to 3 tablespoons of pasta depending on your taste, and how much pasta you feel like making. I didn't like to top it off with parmesan as served. This is amazing hot right after being cooked, and taste absolutely wonderful cold. Making this not only a very easy meal to make but an easy meal to get back out of the fridge with as little fuss as possible.

by Jenerallyhappy | Medina, OH
Aug 11, 2017

I use an app called SplenDO It lets me customize a to-do-list and reminds me to get things done. Like Dust on Monday or Trash on Wednesday. I find my house is cleaner.

by lorm60 | FRANKLIN SQ, NY
Aug 11, 2017

I keep a small pad and pen next to my bed so if I think of something I have to do for the next day I just write it down and go back to sleep!

by KristinM09 | LYNCHBURG, VA
Aug 11, 2017

My way to make my life easier is to always write down & schedule everything for about 15-45 minutes before so we actually get there on time! I hope a go to easy snack works as I invented this as a little girl & now I make it for my daughter! Graham Crackers in Halves, Spread Peanut Butter on both halves of Graham Crackers & sprinkle chocolate chips on one half. Take the other half and place on top of chocolate chips & ENJOY!! I called this "Bossy" when I was little because it's a healthy alternative & super quick, easy and SO YUMMY!!

by KristinM09 | LYNCHBURG, VA
Aug 11, 2017

My way to make my life easier is to always write down & schedule everything for about 15-45 minutes before so we actually get there on time! I hope a go to easy snack works as I invented this as a little girl & now I make it for my daughter! Graham Crackers in Halves, Spread Peanut Butter on both halves of Graham Crackers & sprinkle chocolate chips on one half. Take the other half and place on top of chocolate chips & ENJOY!! I called this "Bossy" when I was little because it's a healthy alternative & super quick, easy and SO YUMMY!!

by KristinM09 | LYNCHBURG, VA
Aug 11, 2017

My way to make my life easier is to always write down & schedule everything for about 15-45 minutes before so we actually get there on time! I hope a go to easy snack works as I invented this as a little girl & now I make it for my daughter! Graham Crackers in Halves, Spread Peanut Butter on both halves of Graham Crackers & sprinkle chocolate chips on one half. Take the other half and place on top of chocolate chips & ENJOY!! I called this "Bossy" when I was little because it's a healthy alternative & super quick, easy and SO YUMMY!!

by KristinM09 | LYNCHBURG, VA
Aug 11, 2017

My way to make my life easier is to always write down & schedule everything for about 15-45 minutes before so we actually get there on time! I hope a go to easy snack works as I invented this as a little girl & now I make it for my daughter! Graham Crackers in Halves, Spread Peanut Butter on both halves of Graham Crackers & sprinkle chocolate chips on one half. Take the other half and place on top of chocolate chips & ENJOY!! I called this "Bossy" when I was little because it's a healthy alternative & super quick, easy and SO YUMMY!!

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