Time saving tips seem like a dime a dozen, right?
So, finding a few time saving tips that actually work, fit into your busy life and help you organize your family are gold.
It is no secret that we live a very busy life.
Just like you.
Hopping from event to event, traveling from place to place, state to state… moving from one project right into another.
Work, family, friends, and all the busy responsibilities of daily life.
I know my life gets busy and crazy at times and I know you have those seasons in your home as well.
So, how do you keep it all together in this busy life? How do you find real time saving tips to help right now?
Time Saving Tips
1} Sleep. Sleep has become incredibly important for me and for my girls. Jeremy doesn’t seem to need it, although he does seem to crash and nap once and awhile. But for the girls and I, bedtime is crucial. Not necessarily a specific time anymore but a specific number of hours of sleep. If we can sleep in, then bedtime can be later. If we must get up early, which in a homeschooling family can be really hard, then bedtime comes sooner. A key “home remedy” to keep everyone healthy and happy!
5 Day Series – Homeschooling for the Busy Family
2} Scheduled family time. With a busy life and a full calendar, we have to be intentional about having pizza nights at home or going on long bike rides together. A time when mom and dad unplug from the world and focus on the kids.
3} Easy meals. I always have a frozen pizza, noodles and sauce, picnic items, cooked hamburger or chicken nuggets in the kitchen. Whether you do once-a-month cooking in your freezer or use your crock pot like I do, having easy meals on hand is a good way to feed your family without succumbing to the local drive through. And, it is easier on the budget too. Check out I’m A Lazy Mom… her recipes are perfect.
4} Always run your washer. I run loads of laundry almost every day. I gather up towels or tear down a few beds for a quick load in the morning while we all get ready or late at night after the girls go to bed. I always feel more productive when the washer is running because I’m actually doing two things at once – laundry and whatever else I’m doing at the moment! In busy life seasons, I don’t have time for “laundry day” like I do in the winter. I need clothes ready all the time to pack up or take somewhere. Doing laundry every day makes that possible.
5} Make lists and stick to them. When I have a lot to do, my lists keep me organized. I tend to miss things and forget things if they aren’t on a list. Even the little things that you are SURE you’ll remember to do? Yeah, put it on the list.
Organize Your Life – a post full of more time saving tips for organization
6} Enjoy the moment. Don’t get too caught up in what is coming next. Yes, something is coming and there is always another event looming in the distance, but stay focused in the now and enjoy the moments of life. A busy life is a FUN life!
7} Don’t forget your spouse. If family time is a 10 on a scale of 1-10, then couple time is a 20. It is that important. Stay connected and stay in tune with each other. Communication is ALWAYS better when you can connect for a few minutes a day to make sure you are on the same page. Here are some date ideas and ways to keep things hot during the busy times.

8} Have a good working calendar. And sync it with your family members. Even if it is overwhelming to look at like mine is, at least everything is in one place. I even jot notes for next year down on the last page of my correct calendar. When I get a new calendar at the end of the year, I have notes all ready to go in the new one. Planning months in advance really helps me get a big picture of what we are doing and where we are going.
Technology and Marriage – Why we love it! So many apps that can help you both have working calendars and to do lists that sync things for your family. Awesomeness.
9} Be okay with half jobs. I don’t always have time to clean everything all in one day. Hey, I don’t even always have time to do part of my house. But, even if I just get half of the bathroom cleaned or toys picked up or the kitchen counters cleared, I feel better. A busy life can still mean getting the normal things accomplished in a time saving way. It just takes a little flexibility and maybe a changed way of doing things.
10} Spend time with God. Being busy is NOT an excuse to let go of your Bible reading plan or your church activities or your Bible study class or doing devotions with your kids. Those are the most important parts of your day. Get them in somewhere and you will notice a difference in YOU and in your kids. It is not time wasted nor is it just something else to do. It is vital to your success in life and your success in your relationship with God. His word will not return void and it produces a valuable return for the investment. For me, I love mornings!
I’m sure there are other things I do but those are the Top Ten things I could think of at this moment!
But if you need some motivation tips, which we all do from time to time, check out this.
I hope a few of those things inspire you to keep going strong in the midst of a busy life, an enjoyable life.
What is your top time saving tip?
What wonderful tips! When my kids were growing up, we always had a family night on Tuesdays (which we could do as homeschoolers). Even though our kids are grown now, my husband and I still keep Tuesday nights special – only now as a date night.
I love the idea of half jobs, too. I use a similar concept with a timer set for 15 minutes. It’s amazing how much I can do in that time – and getting 15 minutes of something done makes things seem more manageable the next day.
these are GREAT tips, Jenilee! And you look stunning in your cute dress in these pics! 🙂
This is a really great list, Jenilee!!!! Each one is stuff I already do or stuff I *should* be doing. Thanks!!
Be okay with a 1/2 job…that is my personal favorite. Odds are no one will ever known that the job wasn’t done perfectly! Love your post.
These are great tips and ones that I should revisit often!
These are great tips! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Fantastic ideas!! I need to implement some of these…especially the part about sticking to the list!!! 🙂
You have a beautiful family!!
Linda
The Joyful Journey
The Homeschool Apologist
Great list! Thanks for sharing! I certainly need to keep up with laundry better.. before my hubby is down to his last clean shirt! 😉
aww this is such a great list and I love the pictures! You seem super organized!
#6 is something I am always working on. Being someone who naturally worries about the future, I often have to slow down and appreciate the now. 🙂
-Samantha
http://www.kreativekaring.com
I love this list! Especially the points you make about doing the laundry and accepting a half-done job. We need to be a little easier on ourselves!
And by the way, your pics are adorable!
Love your top 10 list! You know you can always incorporate some Tastefully Simple ingredients into your quick and easy meals!! 😉
You have a beautiful family and I’m enjoying reading about you guys!!
What a great list! I need to be more diligent about getting my laundry going consistently. You all look so very happy in your family pictures that you must be doing something right. 🙂
Really fabulous tips! I’m starting to work on getting more consistent sleep. I often am only getting 5 – 6 hours each night, and I suspect that I probably just need more.
Such great tips! #1 and #10 are absolutely crucial for me. Unfortunately, #1 is also my biggest compromise. Working on that!
Awesome tips! I seriously am going to write this down. I need all the help I can get right now!
Oh and I must say, you two are the cutest couple ever! 🙂