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
437

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 Rianne840 | MASCOUTAH, IL
Aug 09, 2017

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.

by Keatonsmm | Benton, AR
Aug 09, 2017

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!

by SarahJoy18 | Columbia, TN
Aug 09, 2017

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!

by stephanmom | NORWICH, NY
Aug 09, 2017

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

by wendy1214 | QUAKERTOWN, PA
Aug 09, 2017

tweeted here: https://twitter.com/savingwithwendy/status/895339762961321987

by havenoo | Menlo park, CA
Aug 09, 2017

Do everything according the schedule

by minaob | Ellenton, FL
Aug 09, 2017

Making a boring chore fun is my favorite! Nothing like binge watching my fav show & doing something productive at the same time.

by buttmuffin | BEAUFORT, NC
Aug 09, 2017

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

by Justmissash | CLATSKANIE, OR
Aug 09, 2017

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.

by staciew30 | manson, NC
Aug 09, 2017

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.

by mcasella | REVERE, MA
Aug 09, 2017

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.

by lindahusker | SAINT LOUIS, MO
Aug 09, 2017

Routine, that how I get things done, I have my routine, and I know immediately if I have missed something.

by plong22 | BLAIRSVILLE, PA
Aug 09, 2017

Quick Fix food - Toasted Cheese and tomato soup - good any time of the year.

by Hamsusie | PITTSBURG, KS
Aug 09, 2017

Pick out clothes, accessories etc night before

by Jenny391 | Port Isabel, TX
Aug 09, 2017

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.

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