Summer is half way through here and while we are still having fun and enjoying our time together, I am having a difficult time finding any time for ME during the day. It seems like with three kids being home all of the time and me having to drag them all around everywhere I need to go, and then add in the things THEY want to do and I am often left at night feeling like I got the wind knocked out of me and not having a clue where the day went! In order to help prevent this (even just a teeny bit) I have come up with 5 simple ways to gain a few more minutes during the day this summer for myself!
1. Consolidate my trips out
If I need a bunch of things, I like to try and consolidate my errands and do as many as I can, as long as they are in the same area of town. So if the food store, dry cleaners and pharmacy are all near each other, I’ll try and do those three errands one after another, and save the ones that aren’t near there for a different day- this way I get the jobs done that I need to finish, but also I don’t waste time driving all over the place.
2. Plan ahead for meals
I hate sitting around and wondering what to eat- this is a huge time suck but thankfully is pretty easy to avoid with just a little planning. At the beginning of the week, I like to take some time and think about what I want to make for dinner each evening, depending on what we have on hand and what is on sale at the store and then when I shop I can buy what I need for those meals. This way I don’t have to wonder what to make and save a few more minuets for me.
3. Shop only once a week
This is my plan, does it always work out? Well, not always, but I try my best to only head to the food store once a week to get what we need so I am not making multiple trips and wasting time by shopping at the store two or three times each week. I help to make this happen by making my list and planning my dinners out so I know what to get.
4. Work more efficiently
When I have lots of things to do around the house, like cleaning or organizing, I can often get “distracted” by things. Maybe it’s my kids or the dog or Facebook- no matter what it is, these distractions make it hard for me to get my jobs complete in a quicker fashion. One strategy to help with this is to use the Pomodoro Technique, where you basically make your list of things you have to do and work to get as many of them done in 25 minutes and then send 5 minutes doing something you want, then repeat if you have more to do. The theory is that you will work more efficiently if you take a few breaks to regain your focus- and it does seem to work! This little trick can help me to get more done without wasting time.
5. Don’t waste time waiting places
This is a big one, especially with kids! I really don’t like just waiting places with my kids- they’ll often get bored and this is when they start acting up or fighting, which makes me mad and then it’s just not good. Save time by making reservations for places or calling to see if they are running behind (like at the doctor’s office). One place I love that does such a good job at helping me to save #moreminutes is Great Clips. When it’s time for hair cuts, I can save time by checking in on their free app so I know when it’s our turn and I don’t have to waste time just sitting and doing nothing!
The Online Check-in from Great Clips to see if there’s a wait before you go and you can add your name to their waitlist before you even get there! This week, we got to try out Great Clips Online Check-in when my youngest needed her hair cut. I checked in on the app and then strolled right in to see my name on the list ready for our turn!
The salon is always so clean and neat and the hair dressers are fantastic with kids. They treated my daughter wonderfully and did a speedy job so she got her cut in record time and is looking even cuter than ever! Great Clips really knows how hectic back to school time can be so this app is truly a life saver with kids- no more wasting time sitting and waiting for them to call your name- with the Online Check-in App, I can check in before we go and save even more minutes for doing fun things together!
Of course we had to take a picture before we left, because she just looked so cute with her new haircut!
Adorable, right? And the lollipop treat didn’t hurt either.
Check out here where there is a salon near you!
Love Great Clips, very good value and so quick. I did not know about their online registration, but what a great idea, especially for the kiddos.
Thanks! It’s such a simpler way to get a haircut.
Your daughter is gorgeous look at those eyes imploring you to look at her ! So cute and what a great hair cut too ! http://www.fadedspring.co.uk/
Thank you so much!
I need to make an effort to cut down on how often we go to the grocery store – that can be a real time saver – the meal planning has not come together for me just yet…. maybe by the end of the year! You are so right about the last one being important to kids too!
I know! Most weeks I am good at going once but other times I forget things and have to go back.
OMG I LOVE the trick in #4! I’m always sitting down, getting bored with cleaning but this seems awesome. I would totally get more done knowing I could sit! LOL
Ha! I totally agree! It’s nice to work hard and then have a break.
So, first off, I love that selfie spot– too hilarious! And I am all about consolidating trips to save time. If I’m going out, it’s usually for several hours so I can get everything done in one go. It’s especially helpful since I live quite a bit away from the stores I usually need to hit.
That’s always a good idea! It helps to get all done at once!
So many great tips! I am definitely going to start the interval method of getting things done! I also agree on the waiting thing- life is too short to wait for silly things 🙂
Thanks so much! Glad you agree!
This was a great list! I actually apply some of these steps to my life. I probably need to look into some of the other steps.
Thank you! I hope they help you!
WE love that you can check in online! Makes it so convenient!
I agree! Its so much easier that way!!
These are all great tips!
In Hawaii, where the outrageous cost of groceries caused you to have to shop at at least 3 different grocers for the best deals, and the traffic killed a substantial portion of your day, I often felt like my sole purpose in life was to shop around, sit in traffic, cook, sleep and repeat. It was hard getting any time for myself, especially after the birth of my third child.
I try to consolidate tasks as much as possible, and you’re right –it helps a ton!!
Great tips! I enjoyed the video ff the kids – so cute. Time goes by so fast, and there never seems to be enough of it!
I love these tips! I can definitely relate to consolidating trips into one day; it’s easier on the little ones that way, too!
These are definitely great ways to save time! My kids loved the lollipops too!
I don’t have kids yet but these are some great tips for gaining more minutes in general! Thanks for the awesome tips. 🙂
Love all your tips for saving minutes. The online app would save a ton of time. I hate waiting, period!
Great clips is awesome! Especially for kids. Thanks for these tips!
I love your tips!
Thank you so much!