How to Save Hours of Your Time

Try these timesaving ideas to streamline your day, stay better organized, and win back lost time for yourself and your family.

Save at least 1 hour

Grocery shopping.
Many grocery stores are open 24 hours a day, so take advantage of that. Avoid shopping during the peak hours of 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and you'll cut your regular shopping time in half. That saves you about 45 minutes per trip.

Stockpile groceries in advance when deals are hot. And if you keep a supply of such products as paper goods, soaps, cereals, crackers, and canned soups, you'll save time by not running back to the store for that one necessary item you always forget to buy.


Laundry.
Saving all your laundry for large loads on the weekend takes away an entire day that you could be enjoying with your family.

Do it daily, instead of wasting a Saturday. You'll have just one load, which only takes 30 minutes between washing, drying, and folding.

Bills.
If you prefer paying your bills by check rather than online, keep a portable bill-paying file handy. Pull it out when you're waiting for an appointment at the doctor, dentist, or beauty shop, and "maximize those minutes".

Getting out the door.
If you routinely misplace your keys, hang a set on a peg near the door or attach them to a "clapper" key chain to minimize search time. Depending on how many times you use your keys, this can save you an hour per week.

Have kids help make their lunches and pick out their school clothes before going to bed the night before. Put everything you grab in the morning in one place before you go to bed at night. You can save 20 minutes by investing five the night before.