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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gc says
#1. I learned a counter-clock-wise circle means in & out of stops is always a right turn. #8. Dr office waiting rooms work good too, especially books that need to be read. #10. Mufflettes (muffin/omlettes) this week. Re-heats great in the microwave. A guilt free breakfast.
Brian says
1. Make cold brew coffee overnight in the fridge. Great for the summer!
2. Make my lunch the night before while cleaning up dinner. Leftovers go in the fridge after my lunch gets its share!
3. Watch my recorded TV shows while I wash dishes or exercise, beats sitting on the couch for the same amount of time.
judy egan says
good morning mavis, don’t let that joan rivers wanna be get to you. you did what you had to do. i love having my morning coffee with you and this website. i love the humor and the great information that you put on it. don’t know how you do it all. relax. keep on keepin on judy
Stacey says
I always get the coffee pot ready the night before. It’s part of my doing-dishes routine at night. Wash it, set it up right away. The next morning, my wake-up is only a touch of a button away.
Kerry says
I just recently began making freezer meals and it makes my evenings so much easier! I especially love freezer to crockpot meals. Put it in the fridge the night before to defrost then dump it into the crockpot before work. I arrive home to a house that smells wonderful and a home made meal! My family has been eating out a lot less. It is cheaper and healthier and less clean up on weeknights. (Bonus!)