Ten Ideas for Finding More Time in Your Life

I am always faced with more that needs to be done in a day than can humanly be done - and I suspect that most professional Moms are too. I have worked hard to find new and innovative ways to be more time efficient, and want to share them with my readers.

1) Invest in a Good Day Planner

I live by my FranklinCovey" rel="nofollow">FranklinCovey Day Planner. Itt allows me to block out time to take care of the most important tasks, and has a prioritized daily task list which I use faithfully to set up A, B, and C priorities. I try to tackle the most important things first so they don't drag me down all day, and I mark down every meeting and event I have to attend. I can see at a glance what is happening for the day, and can carry over tasks to the next day. If you just use sheets of paper to move your tasks from one day to the next, things get dropped.

2) Invest in a Crockpot

There are thousands of wonderful recipes you can make in a crockpot, and you can put it all in before you leave for work in the morning and come home to dinner fully cooked. This leaves the rest of the evening to enjoy your family, and relax.

3) Invest in a Cuisinart

Chopping onions,garlic, and vegetables takes time! Plus, the top attachment that comes with a Cuisinart makes hash brown potatoes easily. Kids love them for breakfast.

4) Make a clothing schedule on the weekend

List out all clothes you plan to wear by day, and check each item for missing buttons, broken zippers, etc before you add it to the list. This saves unpleasant surprises.

5) Delegate, delegate, delegate

Give your kids an allowance, and set them up with specific chores. It teaches responsibility, and allows you to relax instead of doing dishes after each meal.

6) Plan your meals in advance

If you plan meals in advance and buy groceries specifically for each meal, you spend less and always know what is for dinner.

7) Shop online as much as possible

Most local grocery stores have online shopping, which means you can shop for groceries on your lunch hour. An added bonus is that you no longer see all those aisle items that are attractive, and cause you to spend money you don't need to spend.. Gift buying is also very convenient online, and saves gas and time.

8) Consolidate similar tasks

If you have a lot of phone calls to make, make them all at once instead of spreading them out. You are already in calling mode once you have made one, and it is easier and more time efficient to just keep calling.

9) Once a month, buy in bulk

You are less likely to run out of items like paper towels and toilet paper if you buy them in mass, once a month at a local warehouse store or outlet. It is also much more cost effective to buy this way.

10) Limit TV time

The television is the biggest time waster there is! If you must stare at the tube, multitask. You can fold clothes, mate socks, pay bills, or organize papers while watching your favorite show.