Here's part 3 of an article on how to save hours and "add" time to your life. Today's tips are estimated to save you at least three hours:
Errands. Map out your errands before you go. "You'll save time if you make a circular route of your stops, or try to group your purchases in one retail center," says Gold. You can also save time coordinating errands with your partner. "You'll shave off two hours a week if you tackle your list together," says Gold.
Cut down on driving time altogether by using Web services. You can get photos printed through services such as shutterfly.com. Many pharmacy photo centers also offer a Web-based option. Instead of standing in line at the video store, look into services such as netflix.com and have the latest DVDs delivered to your mailbox. This can save you another hour a week, says Christine D'Amico, author of The Pregnant Woman's Companion.
Phone calls. If you tend to lose track of time on the phone, keep a small hourglass or egg timer nearby, and use it on those busy days when 40-minute chats are out of the question.
Vickie Hansen, creator of the Web site www.myorganizedlife.com, and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, recommends screening your calls with caller ID and your answering machine. "If you're on the go, take your call list and do it when you're waiting to pick up your kids from practice. You can save 30 minutes a day," she says.
My thoughts:
1. My wife is good about mapping out her errands and so am I. Not much opportunity for us here.
2. I love the egg timer idea. I'm getting one for my wife. I just hope she doesn't time me with it while I'm watching TV. ;-)
3. I use the answering machine all the time to screen calls. Somehow, my wife can't resist picking up the phone. And it always happens to be someone who wants to talk for two hours every time we're headed out the door!
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