There never seems like there is enough time in the day to get everything done. What if I told you that you could gain more time in your day with a few small changes? The changes are small but can have a huge impact on your family and your life.
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By using a few of these time saving hacks, you could gain an extra 2-3 hours per day. Think of all the things you could do with an extra hour or more. You could spend more time with the kids, reconnect with your spouse, or just relax and unwind with a glass of wine, your choice!
Set a Shower Timer
I love taking hot showers in the morning, it’s so relaxing! But my mind can wander and I can spend more time in there then I really need to. You can set a timer on your phone or just use a regular kitchen timer for 5-7 minutes right before you get in. This will keep your mind on task and you can get ready for your day a lot quicker. Once the timer goes off, the water goes off.
Use Double Duty Beauty Products
Ladies, we can spend a lot of time putting on our makeup. Cut down on that time by using beauty products that can take the place of two or more. Use a body wash that also has a moisturizer so you don’t have to put on lotion when you get out of the shower. Use a foundation that also has SPF or a built in moisturizer like the Olay CC Cream.
Turn Off Notifications
One of the biggest time savers for me has been turning off my notifications on my cell phone and computer. It can be so distracting and when you hear that little buzz, you want to check your phone constantly. I check my email a few times a day so I don’t need to know exactly when a new one comes in. You don’t need to constantly be checking when someone likes a post on social media. Just turn it off!
Invest in a Roomba
I have a toddler and 2 dogs so I have to vacuum every single day. I really want a Roomba robot vacuum! It does it all for you! This would easily save me 15 minutes every day.
Presort the Laundry
How many times do you have to sort the laundry before you can even start the load? It takes me an extra 15 minutes whenever I do laundry just to sort through all the clothes. There is only three in my family so I can’t imagine how much longer it would take if we had more kids! Get a laundry sorter so that everything is already sorted when you go to get the dirty laundry. Put clear labels on the front so there is no confusion about where things go!
Social Media Timer
There really is no bigger time suck than social media. We spend so much time on it! It’s a great way to keep in touch with family and friends but once you are on it, you can start going down the rabbit hole. There are all kinds of apps available that you can install on your phone to limit your time on social media. If you don’t want to download or pay for a timer, you can always use Minutes Please to set limits on where you spend your time on the internet. It’s free and easy to use.
Workout in Less Time
There have been studies that show that doing 10 minutes of interval training is just as effective as doing moderate exercise for 50 minutes! You can get the same benefits of a long workout in less time just by doing exercises that use interval training. There is no excuse not to exercise, everyone has at least 10 minutes.
Get Rid of Inbox Spam
Scrolling through tons of inbox spam and promotions can take up valuable time. You can use Unroll.Me to help clear up your inbox. They show you every list you are subscribed to and you can quickly unsubscribe from anything you don’t want to receive. This is a free service so take advantage!
Spray on Manicure
Want gorgeous nails but don’t have the time to wait for your nails to dry? You can try a spray on manicure that dries in seconds. This is really great if you have chipped nails and can’t go to the salon or have time for a touch up. Just spray this on and you are good to go. They have some really pretty colors!
Smoothies for Breakfast
If you are in a rush in the mornings, you can throw a smoothie together for a quick and nutritious breakfast. Just keep some frozen berries and spinach on hand and throw it in the blender. You can use a small personal blender so you have less mess to clean up.
Divvy Up Chores
I know this is 2016 and men do a lot more than they used to but women still do 80% of the household chores, including cooking. Make sure that every one has responsibilities in the household, including the kids, so that it isn’t all on one person. Just handing over 1 or 2 chores can make a big impact on the time you have in your day.
Save Time on Meal Prep
One thing I hate about cooking is all of the prep work! Not to mention I can’t cut an onion without crying, it’s bad! I love using a veggie chopper to quickly and easily chop and slice all the fruits, vegetables, and cheeses that I will need when I’m making a meal. This easily saves me 20 minutes every day!
Keep Shoes by the Door
Stop wasting time looking for shoes, keys, backpacks, etc. Keep everything by the door. They have so many cute organizing decor that you can use in your entryway to keep everything together. I like using a big wicker basket to keep everyone’s shoes in.
Make a To Do List
Instead of constantly worrying about forgetting everything you have to get done, actually sit down every night and make a to do list of things for the following day. This will not only save you time, but stress as well. I like using a planner that I can easily carry in my purse. That way whenever something comes up, I just write it down in my planner so I won’t forget. I got my planner from Minted and I love it! They have some gorgeous designs that will make you actually want to use it!
Meal Plan without Taking up your Entire Weekend
One of the things that has changed my life is meal planning! I know, I was a bit overwhelmed in the beginning but it saves me so much time and stress throughout my week. You can use $5MealPlan to do everything for you. For only $5/month, they send you a complete meal plan every Sunday.
Meal planning can be time consuming but this takes all of the guess work out of it for you. They even offer a Freezer Meal Plan if you want to do everything in one day. You get a free 14 day trial to see if you like it!
Get to Know your Slow Cooker
When I do a meal plan, I always try to do one or two meals in the slow cooker. There is nothing better than coming home and dinner is done. I usually only have to make side dishes which takes less than 15 minutes. There are so many slow cooker recipes on Pinterest that you’ll never get tired of using it.
“Read” While Doing Other Things
One of my favorite things to do is read. With a 2 year old and trying to work from home, I can’t remember the last time I actually had time to read a book. I like listening to audio books while I am cleaning or going for walks. I get caught up on the latest books while still getting things done. If you are looking for a convenient way to get audio books, check out Audible.
With Audible you get a free 30 day trial and 2 free audio books that you get to keep even if you don’t keep the membership. They have the best selection of audio books that I have come across.
Do Something While you Wait
If you have a doctor’s appointment, have to wait in the school pick up line, etc. bring something to do. Bring papers that you have to read for work or bring your phone or iPad so you can respond to emails. Don’t let that time go to waste. You can get a lot done so that you don’t have to do it later.
Shop Online
Online shopping was a lifesaver for me when I had a newborn. It still is. If you are short on time there are so many options for getting everything sent right to your door. I love Amazon Prime, I use it all the time. Just the money I save on gas pays for the membership!
Even grocery stores and pharmacies are offering express shopping where you order everything online and they will have your items waiting for you. If you have small children, you know how much time it takes just getting them in and out of a store.
Have a Designated Errand Day
Try to plan out your errands for the week as much as possible. I take one day a week and have that be my “errand day”. I try to get as much done in that day as I can: grocery shopping, going to the pharmacy, drycleaners, etc. I live in a big city so everything is pretty close together which makes it easier to do this.
This allows me to have more time on the other days of the week to get more work done. I’m not constantly having to leave the house or make a special trip.
These are the time saving secrets I use to get more time in my day. I hope that they will help you or at least have given you some ideas that you can implement. Our world is constantly busy, we just need more time to stop and actually enjoy it.
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