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!
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.
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.
There are three ways to enter:
*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.
when I'm waiting in the pick up line at school I get alot done, make lists of what I need to buy n do, also check emails n go thru the kids papers, pay bills, etc.
To make life easier I plan a lot of things ahead of time! I have a weekly menu, kids clothes are set out the night before, coffee is set to make at 6:30 & I freeze prepped meals so I can just throw it all together!
Audio books and podcasts! I will never take the time to sit and read, but I can listen while exercising, running errands, driving, or shopping!
To keep things running smoothly during the school months I like to do as much as possible the night before. I make sure bags are packed with homework and such. Then I pack the non perishable items in the lunch bag the night before this way all I have to do is make the lunch in the morning. I even try to plan out my own clothes the night before. Having things run smoothly makes for a great start to the day. If picked a Dunkin gift card wouldn't be my choice Thanks
tweeted here: https://twitter.com/savingwithwendy/status/895339762961321987
Do everything according the schedule
Making a boring chore fun is my favorite! Nothing like binge watching my fav show & doing something productive at the same time.
i have lists on my phone. and i try to get as much done the night before as possible, because i am sooo not a morning person
I make a lot of notes, and set alarms and calendar reminders for things. I try to make Every thing fun. I get my kids involved and they like to help. I try to stay organized. I also like to refresh my area every once in a while. At least 2-3 times a year, I change around my house for a new refreshed atmosphere and declutter, throw things out, reorganize, etc.
I always have my kids school clothes laying out the night before. It's easy and I don't have to look around at 6 am for them. I have three kids that go to school. Two dress themselves and one I have to dress so having their clothes out makes our lives easier. My best go to quick meal for my family is blts and chips. All I do is fry the bacon and cut the tomatoes easy peasy.
Do a quick 5 minute cleaning every day and then a major on your day off which will take less time since dirt won't have built up. In a blender put half cup of regular milk or non-dairy, a whole banana and strawberries and you've got an instant smoothie.
Routine, that how I get things done, I have my routine, and I know immediately if I have missed something.
Quick Fix food - Toasted Cheese and tomato soup - good any time of the year.
Pick out clothes, accessories etc night before
I am a big multi-tasker! I love to get things done and get them off my mind. Also, love to clean things out and throw stuff away to make the house lighter. I do as much as I can everyday and won't relax until everything is done.