Ten Time Saving Tips for Moms

As moms, I think we all agree that there are just not enough hours in the day!

Here are ten time saving tips I use to help save time for the important things in life…

Maybe some of these tips could work for you too!

Ten Time Saving Tips for Moms:

1.  Take a shower before you do anything else. 

Many times, I think I’ll just take a shower after I get the kids on the bus.  This does not work for me.  Instead, I end up getting involved in other projects as soon as they leave.  Once I finally get to the shower, I end up taking my time.  In other words, I waste time!  On days I take a shower first thing in the morning, I am in-and-out-and-done in record time!

2.  Get some laundry in the machine.  

With a family of boys, there is never a shortage of laundry in my house!  To stay ahead of it all, I throw in a load as soon as I come downstairs in the morning.  This way, by the time they are off to school, I am already loading up the dryer with the first washed load.  Read here to see how I stay organized in my laundry room.

3.  Beat the clock – a fun time saving game I play…

Yes, I play silly games with myself.  On days my husband is able to bring the kids to the bus stop, I race to see how much I can get done before he returns.  First, I dash into the downstairs bathroom and wipe down the sink.  I do this because the boys brush their teeth and wet-comb their hair in their each morning on their way out the door.  There is ALWAYS water all over the counter (and sometimes toothpaste too!)  Then I head upstairs and see if I can make the beds before my husband returns.  (I know, I really should have my kids make their own beds…but on weekdays, I don’t enforce that!)  On days the bus is running late, I am even able to straighten up a few more things.  It’s such a sense of accomplishment for me!

3.  Make it purposeful.

If you are running upstairs to get something, grab the folded clothes sitting on the washer and put them in drawers when you get upstairs.  Of course, if you are like me, you will then forget why you went upstairs in the first place...but at least you get something done while you are there!

4.  Never leave dishes in the sink overnight.

Every morning, I like to start the day with a spotless kitchen.  Seriously, I can’t concentrate on making breakfast if dishes are piled up all over the place.  Then I can begin unloading the dishwasher while I am making my tea.  And yes, I race against the water boiling in the tea kettle!

5.  Get everything ready the night before.  

Not only do I make sure the kitchen is spotless each night, but I also make sure all the essentials are ready for the next morning.  Each night, I make sure my kids have packed their backpacks, I sign every needed form for school, the snacks are bagged and I know exactly what I am making for breakfast.  Since we are in the midst of baseball season, I make sure I have the uniforms ready and washed on Fridays for their Saturday games.  It’s not like they can wear those dirty white pants a second time without washing!  And why do they make the pants white?  Seriously, what sense does that make?

6.  Lists are essential.

Since I cannot live without a list, this is probably my most used time saving tip.  Every night, I write a list for the next morning so I  can remember what must be done that day.  I leave the list on the kitchen counter so I can see it while I am getting the kids prepared for school.  As I finish each task, I cross it of the list.  Don’t you agree, there is nothing like the accomplishment you feel when you cross an item off a list?!!

7.  Respond to invitations right away.  

Whenever I toss an invitation in a pile to respond at a later time, I end up forgetting where I put it and then waste time looking for the thing so I can R.S.V.P.  If I respond immediately, I can add the event to my calendar right away so I am more prepared.  This also keeps me from last minute gift shopping which causes me to either spend more or buy something without much thought.

8.  Bring a book wherever you go.

Half the time, I am too tired to read at bedtime.  Since I spend a significant amount of time waiting for my kids, I use that time to read.  If I arrive early to pick them up from school for something, I read in the car.  While I am in the waiting room at piano lessons, I read.  During their tennis lessons, I watch and read.  I usually don’t end up reading during team sports because I am usually watching and cheering them on.  Plus, it’s a great time to get caught up with the other parents!

9.  Utilize the features on your phone.

The calendar alone is a time saver but my iphone has been such a help for me in so many ways.

Not only do I set my stopwatch for my crazy cleaning frenzies, but also when I need to get my kids moving.  How many times have your said to your kids, “Ok, in 10 minutes we start homework!”, only to discover that a half hour has gone by and they are still playing that video game?  Well, just set your timer and when the phone says it’s time, it’s time!

I also use my iphone to photo copy a recipe from a friend’s magazine and then I have the ingredients right there in front of me when I am grocery shopping.  I also take pictures of products I see in a magazine so I can have the items right in front of me when I try to find them in the store.

Also, I use the Notes feature of my phone to jot down reminders as I think of them so everything is in one place.

Because I like to stay on top of any dog food recalls, I take a picture of the code on our current dog food bag after I pour the food into the storage container.  Then I feel comfortable throwing out the bag because if there happens to be a recall, I can quickly check my numbers.  I know, I go overboard with some things…

10.  Don’t waste the time you spend in line.

When I am waiting in line at the grocery store – or any line for that matter, I take out my phone and check out blogs and Pinterest.  I like to think this will keep me from spending too much time on Pinterest when I am home…but then again, who am I kidding?!!  Either way, why not make that annoying time spent in line a little more enjoyable!

Of course some of these time saving tips are pretty obvious, but we all need a reminder every now in then, don’t we?

 

What are your favorite time saving tips for moms?

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