Frugal Living: Saving Time

To me saving time is more important than saving money, although both are recommended. Why is saving time so important? Mainly because it is a non-renewable resource. Once spent, it is gone forever. Also, by practicing time-saving methods we frequently end up saving money.

Here are some of my favorite time-saving ideas:

• Save all errands for one day a week (or month if you have few). Write down each errand and where it is located. Then number them so that you visit them, if possible, in order of their distance from home, starting with the closest. If it’s possible to arrange them in a loop, all the better.. (Saves gas money too!)
• I’m sure this one is familiar if you’ve ever taken a class on organization or owned a Franklin Planner in the past: Never handle a piece of paper more than once. When the mail comes, open and handle each piece until filed or thrown away.
• You will never have to engage in the so-called “spring cleaning” ritual of cleaning out cupboards and closets if every item in your house has a place and is always returned to its place after using. And you will never lose an item as you will always know where it is. This is easier said than done if you have children of any age – it’s a matter of training – over time.
• Keep an ongoing shopping list. When a family member uses the last of the butter, or opens the last bottle of peanut butter, they must be responsible for writing it down on the list. Print out a list of items you usually buy (print several copies at once), then circle the needed item on the list that’s on the refrigerator door. Or just post a blank sheet and write items down when needed.
• Plan menus for the entire week – makes grocery shopping faster. (See shopping list above.)
• When fixing dinner, prepare double the amount needed for one meal and freeze the leftovers in individual serving containers. Have a “restaurant” night once a week – Mom is the waitress and takes the orders. Print out menus of the available leftovers. Then Mom can be the cook and microwave each order. Fun!
• Get ready for the next day the night before: pour dry cereal, pack lunches, set backpacks by the front door, lay out clothes, etc.
• Create the best method for keeping track of appointments, school assignments or events, important meetings, or special work events. Use a large calendar or notebook.
• Never forget another birthday. Buy birthday cards for everyone you usually give to – for the entire year. Then file them in your monthly file system in the appropriate month.
• Teach children: how to prepare simple foods like microwave mac and cheese, drink mixes, PB&J sandwiches. Teach them to put load the washer, drier, and fold the clothes, empty the dishwasher, and clean their room. (I know – it’s a struggle…but more hands helps.)
• Finish what you start. Nothing nags you more than unfinished projects. Stick with it until it’s done. (Oh, and teach that to the children too.)

The best part of being organized enough to save time is the extra time you have to spend with your family or to indulge in something you want to do.

_______________________________________

Joan has created the web site, Family Survival Planning, to help families learn to be self reliant, frugal, and prepared. She believes that knowledge is power and being prepared requires constant learning.