With busy schedules, spring sports, and a million things on my to-do list, I am always looking for shortcuts that don’t affect the actual quality of the outcome. What can I say, I want things to take me less time and still be perfect–is that too much to ask?! Okay, maybe not perfect, or even good–in a pinch, I would even settle for acceptable.
Here are 10 really simple shortcuts that can add a little time back into your day:
- Plan out errands in a circle direction. Meaning, start at your house and make a loop, stopping along the way, until you made it back to your house. It will save waaaay more time than zigzagging through town. {Though the mental image of someone “zigzagging” through town kind of make me smile, like something out of a Bugs Bunny cartoon.}
- Keep your wardrobe simple. Standing in front of an over-stuffed closet trying to decide what to pair with what is a crazy waste of time. Simplify. Keep the stuff you LOVE and LOOK GREAT in, the rest goes.
- Pull out all of the ingredients for dinner first thing in the morning. If it has meat, throw it in the fridge to thaw. That way, you won’t be stuck last minute with frozen meat and a missing ingredient.
- Two words: Freezer meals. Make the food when you are motivated and have time. Eat the food when you are exhausted and pinched for time. This can be a HUGE time saver.
- Use a daily shower spray. It will save you from having to scrub the shower–which is basically the worst chore ever AND it takes forever.
- Hang up clothes IMMEDIATELY after drying. It will prevent pretty much all ironing.
- You already know I LOVE Amazon Prime, but seriously, it saves me sooooo much time to quick click and order rather than run all over town.
- Have the kids do their reading and/or homework in the car. Yep, it’s less than ideal, because they don’t have a “healthy snack, table, chairs, appropriate lighting, and a smiling helpful adult” like all of the after-school specials say they should, but sometimes cramming everything into the day requires a little flexibility.
- Dry shampoo has bought me an entire day when I didn’t have time to wash and dry my hair.
- If mornings are hectic, make muffins the night before so the kiddos can eat in the car on the way to school. Again, not ideal, but it’s survival sometimes people.
What shortcuts do you take to buy yourself a few more hours in the day?
~Mavis
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