25 Time Saving Mom Hacks: Get 24 Hours Back Each Week
As a mom, your time is often stretched thin, juggling multiple roles and responsibilities daily. From managing household chores and keeping up with your children's schedules to perhaps maintaining a career and finding time for yourself, it can feel like there's never enough time in the day. However, with a bit of organization and planning, you can reclaim some of those precious hours and reduce the stress that comes with a busy life.
This list of 25 time-saving hacks is designed to help you find balance and streamline your daily tasks. Each hack includes a brief how-to description and an estimate of how many hours you could save each week by implementing it. Whether you're looking to simplify meal planning, stay on top of your family's schedule, or carve out some much-needed downtime, these tips will help you make the most of your time and create a more manageable, fulfilling routine. Let's dive into these practical and effective hacks that can transform your daily life!
Section 1: Home Management Hacks
1. Meal Plan Weekly
How-To: Set aside time each week, preferably on a weekend, to plan meals for the upcoming week. Write down breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each day, taking into account any family preferences or dietary needs. Consider using a meal planning app or a simple notebook to keep track of your plans.
Time Saved: By planning meals in advance, you can save 2-3 hours each week that would otherwise be spent deciding what to cook each day and making last-minute trips to the grocery store.
2. Prep Meals Ahead
How-To: After planning your weekly meals, dedicate a few hours on the weekend to batch cook and prep ingredients. Chop vegetables, cook grains, and prepare proteins in advance. Store these prepped items in labeled containers in the fridge or freezer for easy access throughout the week.
Time Saved: Batch cooking and meal prepping can save you 4-5 hours per week, as you’ll spend less time cooking each day and cleaning up afterward.
3. Use Grocery Delivery Services
How-To: Many grocery stores now offer online ordering and delivery services. Create a list of your weekly staples and place your order online. Set up a recurring delivery schedule for even greater convenience.
Time Saved: Utilizing grocery delivery services can save you 1-2 hours per week that would be spent driving to the store, shopping, and waiting in checkout lines.
4. Organize Outfits Weekly
How-To: Spend some time each weekend planning and laying out outfits for yourself and your kids for the upcoming week. This can include everything from clothes and shoes to accessories. Use a hanging organizer or individual bins to keep each day's outfit separated and ready to go.
Time Saved: By organizing outfits ahead of time, you can save approximately 1 hour per week that would otherwise be spent deciding what to wear each day and dealing with any last-minute laundry needs.
5. Declutter Regularly
How-To: Make decluttering a part of your daily or weekly routine. Spend just 10-15 minutes each day going through one area of your home, such as a drawer, a shelf, or a countertop. Keep a donation box handy for items you no longer need, and aim to keep only what you use and love.
Time Saved: Regularly decluttering can save you 1-2 hours per week, as it reduces the time spent searching for items and keeps your home more organized and efficient.
6. Label Everything
How-To: Invest in a label maker or use sticky labels and a marker to label storage bins, shelves, and containers throughout your home. Clearly labeling where items belong makes it easier for everyone in the family to find what they need and put things back in their proper place.
Time Saved: By labeling everything, you can save around 30 minutes per week that would otherwise be spent looking for misplaced items or reorganizing cluttered spaces.
7. Keep a Cleaning Caddy
How-To: Assemble a portable cleaning caddy with all the essential cleaning supplies you need for quick and efficient cleaning. Include items like multi-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, sponges, microfiber cloths, and gloves. Keep this caddy in a central location so it’s always ready for use.
Time Saved: Having a cleaning caddy prepared and easily accessible can save you about 1 hour per week by reducing the time spent gathering supplies for different cleaning tasks.
8. Use Baskets for Quick Cleanup
How-To: Place baskets or bins in high-traffic areas such as the living room, entryway, and bedrooms. Use these baskets for quick cleanup sessions, especially before guests arrive or at the end of the day. Encourage family members to toss their items into these baskets rather than leaving them scattered around the house.
Time Saved: Implementing this system can save you about 1 hour per week by making it easier and faster to tidy up common areas.
Section 2: Family Coordination and Planning Hacks
9. Use a Family Calendar
How-To: Maintain a centralized family calendar to keep track of everyone's schedules, appointments, and activities. Opt for a large wall calendar, a whiteboard calendar, or a digital calendar that can be shared with all family members. Color-code each person's schedule for easy reference.
Time Saved: A well-maintained family calendar can save you 1-2 hours per week by preventing scheduling conflicts and reducing the time spent coordinating plans and appointments.
10. Set Up a Command Center
How-To: Designate a space in your home as a command center. This area should include a bulletin board, a calendar, a mail organizer, hooks for keys, and a place for important documents. This centralized spot will help you keep track of schedules, mail, and other important items.
Time Saved: Having a command center can save you about 1 hour per week by reducing the time spent searching for keys, important papers, and keeping track of schedules.
11. Create a Chore Chart
How-To: Develop a chore chart that lists household tasks and assigns them to each family member. Use a whiteboard, a printable template, or a digital app to track completion. Rotate chores regularly to ensure that everyone shares the workload.
Time Saved: Implementing a chore chart can save you 2-3 hours per week by distributing household responsibilities more evenly and ensuring that tasks are completed without constant reminders.
12. Set Up a Homework Station
How-To: Designate a specific area in your home as a homework station. Stock it with school supplies such as pencils, paper, calculators, and any other materials your children need for their homework. Ensure the space is quiet, well-lit, and free from distractions.
Time Saved: By having a dedicated homework station, you can save about 30 minutes per week that would otherwise be spent gathering supplies and creating a conducive work environment each day.
13. Create a Family Binder
How-To: Assemble a family binder to store important documents, contact information, medical records, school schedules, and other essential papers. Use dividers to categorize each section for easy access. Keep the binder in a central location so everyone knows where to find it.
Time Saved: Having a family binder can save you about 30 minutes per week by reducing the time spent searching for important documents and information.
14. Use a Message Board
How-To: Install a message board in a high-traffic area such as the kitchen or entryway. Use it to post reminders, notes, grocery lists, and family announcements. Make it a habit for family members to check the board daily.
Time Saved: A message board can save you about 30 minutes per week by ensuring everyone is informed and reducing the need for repeated verbal reminders.
Section 3: Personal Organization and Self-Care Hacks
15. Use a Planner
How-To: Invest in a planner to keep track of appointments, tasks, and deadlines. Choose a format that works best for you, whether it’s a paper planner, digital planner, or a planning app. Regularly update your planner and review it each morning to stay on top of your schedule.
Time Saved: Using a planner can save you 1-2 hours per week by helping you stay organized, prioritize tasks, and avoid missed appointments and deadlines.
Check Out The Busy Mama Planner for a Great Organization Tool!
16. Establish Routines
How-To: Create structured morning and evening routines to streamline daily tasks. For mornings, set a consistent wake-up time, and include essential activities like breakfast, getting dressed, and packing bags. In the evenings, establish a bedtime routine that includes winding down, preparing for the next day, and getting to bed at a regular time.
Time Saved: Establishing routines can save you 1-2 hours per week by reducing decision-making time and ensuring that daily tasks are completed efficiently.
17. Prepare Snacks in Bulk
How-To: Spend some time each week preparing and portioning out snacks for yourself and your children. Use small containers or snack bags to store items like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and cheese. Keep these ready-to-eat snacks in an easily accessible spot in the fridge or pantry.
Time Saved: Preparing snacks in bulk can save you about 1 hour per week by reducing the time spent preparing snacks daily and ensuring that healthy options are always available.
18. Plan Grocery Lists
How-To: Use a grocery list app or a simple list on your phone to keep track of what you need. Create categories for different types of items and update the list throughout the week as you notice you’re running low. Share the list with other family members who do the shopping.
Time Saved: Planning grocery lists can save you about 30 minutes per week by streamlining your shopping trips and reducing the number of forgotten items and repeated trips to the store.
19. Track Expenses Digitally
How-To: Use a budgeting app to monitor and manage your finances. Apps like Mint, or NerdWallet can help you track spending, set budget limits, and categorize expenses. Regularly update and review your financial information to stay on top of your budget.
Time Saved: Tracking expenses digitally can save you about 1 hour per week by simplifying the process of managing finances and reducing the need for manual tracking and calculations.
Section 4: Work-Life Balance Hacks
20. Schedule Downtime
How-To: Make self-care a priority by scheduling regular downtime in your calendar. Block out time for activities that help you relax and recharge, such as reading, exercising, or enjoying a hobby. Treat this time with the same importance as work or family commitments.
Time Saved: Scheduling downtime can save you about 30 minutes per week by preventing burnout and improving overall efficiency, making you more productive and less stressed in other areas.
21. Set Work Boundaries
How-To: Define clear work hours and communicate them to your colleagues and family. Establish a designated workspace and avoid checking work emails or taking calls outside of your set hours. Make time for breaks and ensure you’re fully present during non-work hours.
Time Saved: Setting work boundaries can save you 1-2 hours per week by reducing work-related interruptions during family time and ensuring a clearer separation between work and personal life.
22. Organize the Car
How-To: Keep a tote or organizer in your car with essentials such as wipes, snacks, water bottles, and emergency supplies. Regularly clean out and restock the car to ensure it stays tidy and ready for any impromptu needs or errands.
Time Saved: Organizing the car can save you about 1 hour per week by reducing the time spent searching for items while on the go and preventing last-minute stops for forgotten essentials.
23. Set Weekly Goals
How-To: At the start of each week, identify and prioritize key tasks and goals for both work and personal life. Use a planner or digital tool to track these goals and break them into smaller, manageable steps. Review your progress regularly and adjust as needed.
Time Saved: Setting weekly goals can save you about 1 hour per week by providing clear direction and focus, reducing time spent on decision-making and ensuring that your efforts are aligned with your priorities.
24. Use a Digital Assistant
How-To: Leverage smart devices such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple Siri to help with reminders, task management, and daily routines. Set up voice commands for adding items to your shopping list, setting timers, or checking your schedule.
Time Saved: Using a digital assistant can save you about 1 hour per week by automating reminders and managing tasks more efficiently, freeing up time for other activities.
25. Use Digital Applications
How-To: Utilize apps for task management, scheduling, and multi-tasking to keep your life organized. Apps like Todoist, Trello, and Evernote can help you keep track of tasks, set deadlines, and stay organized. Integrate these tools into your daily routine for maximum efficiency.
Time Saved: Using digital applications for organization can save you 1-2 hours per week by streamlining task management, improving productivity, and keeping everything in one easily accessible place.
Conclusion
Managing the numerous responsibilities of motherhood can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies and tools, you can streamline your daily tasks and reclaim valuable time. By implementing these 25 time-saving organization and planning hacks, you can reduce stress, enhance your efficiency, and create a more balanced life.
From meal planning and prepping to leveraging digital tools and setting clear boundaries, each hack is designed to make your life easier and more manageable. Start by incorporating a few of these tips into your routine, and gradually build on them to find what works best for you and your family. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection—small changes can lead to significant improvements in your daily life.
By organizing your home, coordinating family schedules, and prioritizing self-care, you’ll find yourself with more time to enjoy the moments that matter most. Embrace these strategies to enhance your efficiency, reduce stress, and create a more harmonious balance between your personal and family life. You’ve got this!
