time saving tips??

[markio26]

Re: time saving tips??

i have been using my freebie shampoo's for cleaning... shampoo will clean the knobs on the stove really well... i put a stopper in the tub, shower, etc.. squirt in a sample of shampoo, let it sit a while, add warm water, let it sit overnite, scrub very little and it sparkles the tub...
i also use leftover halved used dryer sheets to clean the faucets, mirror, etc.
i also clean the sinks, with the shampoo.. it works great..
i use the shampoo for body shampoo, and it does a great job...
i use the conditioner for my nails and toenails, it is a good cuticle softner......
i use the conditioner to clean my tub.. let it sit a while.. it removes soap scum.

[lynclarke]

Re: time saving tips??

When I serve supper, I have our plates and my husband's lunch container on the counter. I fill each one. I put his lunch in the fridge for the day after tomorrow (By then he has forgotton the meal) and I serve our plates. The pans go in the sink and they are ready to swish out when we finish eating.
I make snack bags full of cookies, pretzels, dried fruit, and jerky/sausage sticks. I make the bags a week ahead when I want to watch a program on TV. Every day my husband takes a bag of pretzels, a bag of cookies, and a surprise bag.
I never answer the phone when we are eating- that is why they invented answering machines. lynclarke

[markio26]

Re: time saving tips??

alot of unnecessary retail sales are going on today at the mall.. i looked thru giant eagle and topps grocery store flyers, nothing stands out.. i did not check wag sale flyer yet.. anyway, holiday week is usually a good time to stock up on items that you need.. i don't need anything but milk.. i am pretty well still covered... no need. no spend..

[markio26]

Re: time saving tips??

playing video games, computer games, watching t.v., are time robbers, and criple the imagination... i am gonna do less of these activities, and save them for winter time... i do leave the t.v. on mute, and listen to a cd, or the radio...

[markio26]

Re: time saving tips??

a used dryer sheet to clean my sunglasses and it worked well.........
i also used one to clean the monitor and the t.v.
i taught the kids the proper way to behave in a vehicle.. also, entering and exciting with safety and alertness... they have done very well... we even do a countdown to start the car.....lexie tells me when to stop, when she sees red lights and stop signs.... and when we back the car into the garage to unload the trunk... silence is golden... then we have a lil ritual on unpacking the car with a team effort... too cute and funny... but, necessary....

[markio26]

Re: time saving tips??

i only watch tv two hours per day, and only while i am doing another chore...i have found more time to do other activities i like.. like reading, returning phone calls to buddies.

[CheaplyClever]

Re: time saving tips??

These may not be the most original time saver tips but I thought I'd post anyway....

1. I have the name/date labels for DD’s bottles that go to daycare with her pre-printed through July so all I have to do is cut them and tape them on at night after she’s asleep – and we’re ready to cooler them up in the morning! It is an Excel spreadsheet so in July, all I will have to do is go back to it, and repopulate the date field for a couple of months worth of labels!

2. I put all my things for the next day (including kids’ stuff for school/daycare) in the car the night before. I have a checklist on the door that leads into the garage that reminds me of what I need so that I won’t forget anything on my way out the door (literally!)

3. I keep a 2-3 week menu listing on my computer at work and at home so I know what we will be having on a particular night. I look at it before leaving for work so I have a Plan-of-Action for when we walk through the door after arriving home. DS is almost 17 months old and believes that once we arrive on our own linoleum, he must start eating! It doesn’t give me much time to flounder around in the pantry or fridge so knowing what to start cooking is key.

4. I set out outfits for 5 days for both DS and DD on Sunday night. No fuss, no confusion. This way, we have everything we need to start our mornings in the right direction without adding to the normal amount of chaos in a house where DH works nights and there are two babies under the age of two.

;D

You are SO organized! That's cool!

[Bookie]

Re: time saving tips??

Mostly things that make life easier:

1. Print a sheet of return address labels on the computer. Keep with sheet of postage stamps in a file folder at the front of my file cabinet. (Too bad I pay so much via computer.)

2. Keep a bowl on the entry-way credenza into which I put keys/change/pocket stuff as soon as I walk into the apartment. No more searching.

3. Print a standard kitchen staples list from the computer with columns for inventory/purchase. I post a copy in the kitchen and note as I use things for an instant grocery list.

4. Keep two laundry baskets in the bedroom. Whites in one colors in the other. No sorting.

[markio26]

Re: time saving tips??

i preset my stove clock for 15 minutes ahead of the time i must leave to go for an appointment... i preset it for an hour prior to dressing for an appointment... this gives me extra time to go some where if there is bad weather or heavy traffic...
i use one day a week for call backs... this time i am on the cell phone at the proper time....if it is an emergency i call back immediately.

[funnyvalentine]

Re: time saving tips??

probably my best time saving tip is in paring down my wardrobe. Everything I own, practically, is black or a print with black in it, so it makes it really easy to get dressed, find shoes, pantyhose, earrings. I realized early on in my practice that most of my clients only see me twice, so I don't need a million outfits; I need two, lol.... I have all the components hanging together in the closet so I can get dressed in five minutes.

[markio26]

Re: time saving tips??

i am using frozen french fries, in my crockpot recipes, instead of fresh potatoes, and it is saving me a ton of money and time... no one can tell the difference...

[flash]

Re: time saving tips??

Use a lint roller to dust your lamp shades. You'll be surprised at what comes up, faster and more effective than vacuuming them.

[contrary1]

Re: time saving tips??

I make up baggies of pancake mix, so when it's pancake day here, I don't have to measure out dry ingredients. I do the same for my waffle recipe. I've had the same baggies for years, they are still holding up! So nice in the AM (or for dinner) to just grab a bag & add the liquids........then ready to cook.
I do the same thing with anything I'm cooking actually. If I'm making a cake, biscuits, whatever.........I'll make one in the mixer/bowl and then put the same dry ingredients in a baggie. Label and toss in the pantry. Very quick cooking that way!

[markio26]

Re: time saving tips??

i used white toothpaste on my formica marble top sink in the bathroom to remove a stain, i let it sit overnite..
i used windex to spot clean some spots on my carpet and let it sit for about an hour and dabbed almost dry with rags.
i used a small plastic container and poked holes in the lid, then i placed 2 tblsp of maxwell house coffee in the container, replaced the lid, attached tape to the top, labeled, placed in fridge, can last for 6 months, removed my baking soda box, spread on carpet, let set for overnite and vacuumed...
i cleaned the top of fridge, laid down wax paper, used magnets to keep in place, less cleaning...
placed 2 comforters into a large trash bag, used vacuum to suck out the air, and taped shut.

[gopher]

Re: time saving tips??

Hi. I'm new here and just started posting today. Such a great board. I'm always looking for ways to save myself some time so this thread has been great. To add to it, I recently did a massive house cleaing and got rid of tons of stuff. It took some time and some emotional detachment but I treated myself in the end bought a Roomba and a Scooba. I used some of the money I'd socked away from the yard sales I'd been having and invested in these. They're basically robots that sweep and mop your floor and they're shaped like little flying saucers. They're brilliant and talk about a time saver. As long as I pull the chairs up I can just turn one or the other on before I got to work. My housecleaning time has been cut in half.