6 Fresh Tips For Saving Time

Several years ago my aunt went back to school to become a nurse when she was in her 40's. Her husband was a farmer and he worked before sun up and after the sun was down out in the fields so the meal cooking and household chores were still her responsibility.

Because she was older it was harder for her going back to school and she had to work twice as hard as the younger students--at least that is how she felt. Her solution to finding time in the day to study, cook, and still get rid of clutter that somehow creeps into all homes was to not only use her time wisely but to find more time in the day.

One of her solutions to saving time was to mix her salt and pepper in one shaker. She figured this saved her a few seconds every morning while preparing breakfast before dashing out the door.

There are many ways we can save time and here are 6 tips to help you save time all the time:

1. Pay bills on line and opt out of paper bills coming to your home. It is safe to pay on line and you can keep a copy of every bill paid as your financial institution notifies you when it is paid. This also saves time not having to file the paper bill.

2. Opt out of junk mail. Get your name off junk mail lists by searching on line for a company you want to sign up with to get your name removed. This will save you a lot of time not having to sort through all the junk mail you may receive and have to recycle.

3. Set up a family calendar where everyone can see what activities everyone is doing and when they are happening so you don't miss appointments or double book. Be sure to write them in your own personal planner also. If you use an electronic planner you can send it to other family members also.

4. Get rid of clutter before it becomes clutter. If you don't read magazines, unsubscribe to them. This saves you time having to go through them about every 3 months and getting rid of the ones you don't read.

5. Get rid of clutter in your clothes closet. Clothes you don't wear donate to a thrift shop where someone else can benefit from your generosity. This will free up space in your closet so you can save time getting dressed as you can find your clothes easier and match outfits faster.

6. Organize the night before for the next day. Set out the children's clothes--or use a hanging sweater holder in the closet and plan out a week's worth of clothes on Sunday evening. Each separate 'pocket' holds one day's clothes. Check to see the cell phones are charged and anything you need to take with you in the morning is packed in your briefcase or bag. Hang this by the door you leave by so you can grab and go.

When there is less clutter in our homes in the cupboards, closets and living spaces it saves time sorting through it and looking for things we actually use and need.