Effective Use of Errand Time

To save time while running errands:

~Keep a running list of groceries and household supplies you need.

~Group your errands so that you can accomplish several in a single trip.

~Try to patronize stores and offices near your home, your work, or on the rout between the two. Always try to accomplish an errand on the way to something else instead of making a special trip.

~Whenever possible, do errands when traffic is light and lines are short--usually between 10 and 3 on weekdays and in the evenings.

~If you have appointments or errands at several locations, schedcule them so that you can go from one to the next with a minimum of wasted time and travel.

~Eliminate additional trips by making back-to-back doctor or dentist appts for family members. Try to get the first appt in the morning or right after lunch.

~Take your weekly list with you whenever you go out on errands. You may be able to fit in something that you scheduled for later in the week.

August 16, 2009

Using Spare Time

~Most small chores can be accomplished in bits and pieces of time; for example:

With 5 minutes you could:
Make an appointment
File your nails
Water houseplants
Sew a button on

With 10 minutes you could:
Write a short letter or note
Hand-wash some clothes
Straighten your desk
Wash a window inside and out

With 30 minutes you could:
Exercise
Go through backed-up magazines or newspapers
Work on a craft project
Vacuum three or four rooms
Weed a flower bed

August 30, 2009