In today’s busy world, it often feels like there isn’t enough time in the day to get things done. Finding time may be easier than you think. Today’s moms are busy, but today’s children are busy, too. Think of all of the time you spend waiting. Soccer practice. Ballet lessons. Carpool line. Five minutes spent waiting can be all it takes to accomplish something.
Here are five things to do with five “found” minutes:
1. Quick phone calls: Make doctor and dentist appointments for the family. Book your next haircut. Get an appointment for car maintenance. Call the babysitter. Schedule your pet’s vet visit. Get quotes on jobs you need to hire out such as carpet cleaning or painting. Call about a discrepancy in a bill.
2. Catch up on the mail: Create a car bag with catalogs, magazines and product/company brochures that you don’t have time to read and bring it with you when you leave the house. Five minutes is enough time to flip through most catalogs. It’s also enough time to read an article in your favorite monthly magazine.
3. Clear car clutter: Five minutes may be all you need to clean out your glove compartment or car console. Bring a trash bag with you and gather things that don’t belong in the car. When you return home, put them (or throw them!) away.
4. Save money: With food prices at record highs, clipping coupons never made more sense. Most people who don’t clip say that the time involved is their reason for passing on the savings. Bring the coupon flyers from your paper or mail and a pair of scissors. Take five minutes to clip away. Be sure to have a good coupon organizer. You can also use this time to go through your coupons and discard those that have expired.
5. Make your lists: Grocery lists. To do lists. Errand lists. Chore lists. Smart moms are not listless! Plan your meals for the week and then create your grocery list. Bring your calendar with you and make a to do list that gets you prepared for everything on this week’s schedule. And create job lists for your children. It’s easier to delegate work when it’s written down.
Stephanie Vozza is founder of www.theorganizedparent.com, a website that offers smart products and ideas for busy moms.
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