Monday, August 31, 2009
Tips for Simplifying Errands
Too many errands but not enough time – does that sound like you? As most working moms know, doing errands can suck up a lot of your precious time and add to your stress level. Here are some tips to simplify errands by making them more efficient.
Start with a list. Eliminate a lot of stress by making a list of things you’ll need. Make sure other members of your household know about the list so they can add to it as necessary.
Keep your list in a convenient place (like the refrigerator) and remember to take it with you when you leave the house. This will help you avoid last-minute errands and prevent you from buying things that you don't need.
Group your errands. Do errands that are located in the same area at the same time. Spend a little time planning your route to save yourself some time. You also save money by not using up gas by driving in circles.
Shop online. You might be able to eliminate some errands all together by shopping online. Spending 15 minutes doing some virtual shopping can end up saving you hours of running around.
Do errands at off hours. This can be a huge timesaver, there are not as many lines to sit in and you save gas because lighter traffic reduces idling. If possible, do your errands during low-activity times like before and after the lunch hour.
Plan ahead. Save yourself weekly trips by buying in bulk items you use all the time. Stock up once a month at Costco and you can eliminate running to the grocery store or pharmacy so often.
Organize your car for errands. Put items that need to be returned in the trunk of your car with the receipt right in the bag. Keep some kind of organizer to put documents like prescriptions, receipts or coupons that you may need to access for your errands.
Hire help. If you would rather be spending your time elsewhere consider hiring someone to handle errands for you. With time-consuming errands out of your way (and off your mind), you’ll be able to focus on the things that are most important to you.
At Simplify our services revolve around helping you care for all the details of running your household and caring for your home. Simplify provides household concierge services to clients on the Bay Area Peninsula and South Bay, including Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Atherton, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Cupertino, and San Jose.
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