Who couldn’t use a few hours, minutes or even seconds back in their day? We’re all looking for time saving tips that can give us more time back to do the things we want. I know I’m constantly racing against the clock while searching for time saving tips. And I consider myself highly organized! 

But face it – time is a commodity. Few of us can afford to squander it. Our kids won’t stay little long. Our loved ones won’t be with us forever. Each year passes faster than the last. I remember turning 40 and thinking – Wow the second 20 years went by so much faster than the first 20! 

So time has different meaning and value as we get older. And wasting it would be criminal. Read ahead for time saving tips that produce big results.

1. CATCH THE TIME THIEVES

So many things are time thieves. Consider what you spend time on that doesn’t contribute to your goals. Do you spend time on your phone or social media that you can’t account for? Chances are they’re time thieves, robbing you of precious moments with zero benefit.

Many mobile devices have “Screen Time” data that reports usage. It’s definitely an eye-opener but helpful if you want to curb your habits.

2. USE TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Though devices can be a big time thief, they can also be hugely advantageous for planning and time management. Smart home devices have become extremely popular and it’s easy to see why. It’s like having a personal assistant available. Devices like Amazon Echo and Google Nest Hub can make lists, provide reminders, announce your schedule, and thousands of other things. These products are amazing and offer dozens of time saving tips.

Learn about many of their features here. Primarily they can be useful for listing things, operating smart home devices, listening to music, setting reminders and providing information.

Related TOPIC — SAVE TIME AND GET ORGANIZED WITH ALEXA

3. BUSY DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN PRODUCTIVE

We’ve all been guilty of this at one time or another. On occasion I still create work for myself that really doesn’t yield any benefit. Once I realized having a busy day didn’t equate to having a productive day, I started looking at my accomplishments rather than what I spent time on.

It requires looking back on your day and being honest how you spend your time. Did you really need to reprint your budget workbook just because you replaced the yellow ink cartridge and it might be more colorful?  Is there any benefit to waiting on hold, when you can send an email to resolve? Do the kids’ rooms really need their socks, underwear and t-shirts folded like they’re going to be photographed for Better Homes and Gardens?

4. BUNDLE SIMILAR TASKS

The additional prep and cleanup is minimal if you can batch like-tasks. This works well if your home is organized and you know what is in need of repair, cleaning, but just need the opportunity to follow through.

Cutting vegetables. While the chopper or food processor is out, cut up all fresh vegetables and store separately so they’re ready to grab when needed. Cleanup is exactly the same whether you chop just one green bell pepper or if you chop multiple green bell peppers, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes. And your recipe options are optimized with already prepped ingredients.

Spot removal. If you have to haul out the carpet cleaner because of one unfortunately recent spill, consider other areas that may need some attention, such as high traffic areas, fabric covered furniture like sofas and chairs, or throw rugs. Mixing cleaning solution and heated water for rinsing are needed regardless of spill area size.

Other examples of bundling similar tasks – wrapping presents, baking multiple batches of cookies, and sewing holes, tears or buttons on.

5. STRATEGIZE BEFORE RUNNING ERRANDS

Consider your goals and build your route around it. Prioritize what needs to be done before you leave the house. If you need to get cash, can it be done at your grocery store by either a branch located inside or at point of sale by requesting cash back? Can you get gas in the parking lot of your membership warehouse when you shop?

Strategize according to the route, the time of day and needed errands. If you need frozen or refrigerated items, that will likely be the last place on your route. If you need air in your tires, where is the service station in your route? Is it easier to do before the library so you only have to make right-hand turns? The one item that you put on your home improvement store list, can you get it during your grocery store trip or at the discount store next to the nail salon after your appointment? Or can it wait until you have a longer home improvement store list? Or can it be bought online?

Chances are you have a lot of flexibility when you run errands and you can free up time (as well as minimize frustration) with some strategic planning.

6. MONITOR YOUR TIME

Set a timer for those times when you need to buckle down and don’t allow anything to distract you. It’s much more time consuming not only due to the interruptions but the time required to get your thought process restarted each time you return to the task. So commit by tuning out everything else so you may give 100% of your attention to this priority.

This means not allowing your mind to get distracted by lesser priorities, reminding your family you will not be available to them until the timer goes off, and turning off your phone. For the last one you can put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode so you aren’t distracted by notifications and calls/texts from anybody not listed in your Favorites.

7. OPTIMIZE SMALL BLOCKS OF IDLE TIME

Frequently we overestimate the amount of time needed to complete a task. So take advantage of the time when you’re waiting for that return phone call that’s due in 8 minutes, the service guy to grab his clipboard from the truck and write up the invoice, the friend who just texted that she’s running 10 minutes behind.

These are all golden opportunities to get small tasks done. Wipe down the light switch plates, empty the dishwasher, toss the trash, fire off a thank you email. There are a number of mindless things you can get done in 5 minutes or less. And you’ll feel super accomplished after utilizing that time well.

8. MULTI-TASK

This seems like one of the obvious time saving tips yet we don’t take advantage of it nearly enough. I stay busy when I’m on the phone having a casual conversation. I file paperwork, pull weeds, trim roses, gather trash, put away groceries or dozens of other mindless things that don’t need my focused attention. Or vice versa, I know I need to chop vegetables or fold and put away laundry, so I’ll take the opportunity to schedule a dentist appointment or touch base with a friend. 

9. AUTOMATION

This is such an underused time saver. Be sure to utilize all the automated tools provided by your utility companies, financial institutions and prescription companies. Electronic debit and paperless billing saves tons of time. You don’t have to bother with opening additional US mail, filing paper or writing checks. Set up automatic payments to stay organized, save time and avoid late payments. Most companies have paperless bills on file for at least 24 months as well as offer the option of sending you a digital statement via email. 

Automatic prescription renewals can be another time saver. Many major retail pharmacies offer automatic renewal which can be managed from their app. In many cases, the prescriptions can be mailed to your house if you prefer not to pick up. In addition, many mail-order pharmacies offer 90 day renewals to further streamline prescription management.

10. HAVE A PROCESS

This also requires its own article because it has tons of opportunity to save time. When you have a process, things go much smoother. Clothes are laundered and ready for wear, mail isn’t scattered, you’re seldom (if ever) out of food staples, bills are paid on time, tax documents are centralized, deadlines are met. You don’t spend countless hours looking for things and you eliminate redundancy when you have a process. A place for everything and everything in its place. Getting organized takes considerable time, staying organized takes minimal time but being organized gives back time.

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What time saving tips do you have? What is your most nagging time thief? Leave me a comment.