Add an Hour to Your Day

We all have at least two things in common. First, none of us will ever have more than 24 hours in a day. Second, we’d all like to accomplish the things we need to do in less time so we’ll have more time for things we want to do.

The following ideas have helped me save time, and I’ve discovered that those minutes I’ve shaved from different tasks add up to hours. The end result? More time for the fun stuff!

Try these methods and find the extra time you need:

• Don’t put things down, put them away. Americans spend, on average, 20 minutes a day searching for misplaced objects.
• Never walk through the house empty handed. Pick up and put away as you go.
• After dinner have everyone in the house put away the day’s accumulated clutter.
• Get family members in the habit of doing two things at once. Kids can fold clothes while watching cartoons.
• Set aside 15 minutes a day to clean one area of your house. By the weekend, most cleaning will be done.
• Drop a load of laundry in the washer or dryer during your morning or evening routine.
• Turn off the television for one hour each day and you’ll gain seven hours a week.
• Keep a project near the telephone to work on while you’re talking.
• Don’t waste time searching for school papers and forms. Designate a colored file folder or plastic “in box” for each child. When they come home from school, have them place important papers, forms, and other school information in that area.
• Save pot-scrubbing time by using nonstick spray on pans. Line the bottoms of casserole pans with foil for quick cleanup.
• Pour salt on oven spills that are too hot to clean up, making the job easier once they have cooled.
• Use liquid soap in a pump dispenser by sinks, tubs, and in the shower—no soap slime to clean up.
• Shop and run errands when others don’t. Avoid late-afternoon grocery store lines. Stay away from the bank from noon until 2 p.m., especially on Fridays.
• When running an errand, think of other errands you can accomplish at the same time. For example, if you’re mailing a package at the post office, stock up on stamps.
• Keep a running grocery list and avoid last-minute trips to the store. When the last package or bottle of an item is opened, add it immediately to your list.
• Get out of bed 30 minutes earlier every day for a year and add more than a week to your life.

Family management expert Kathy Peel is the author of 15 books and regular contributor to American Profile.

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