Angelica Kajiwara

Being a mom is rewarding work. It’s the absolute best work that you can do. But, that doesn’t mean that it is hard and stressful, and sometimes, you might feel like time (and life) is slipping away from you, before you are able to get anything done. How can we take care of everything (and especially ourselves) with no time? It all comes down to one thing: utilizing hacks that save time + make us better for ourselves and our families! If you are struggling to find time, here are 5 time saving life hacks for moms:

Create a meal calendar each week

On the weekend, lay out your week and figure out what meals you need. Do you have meals already planned out of the house, do you have leftovers? Is there meat that needs to be cooked within the next few days? Try to think of it all and then create a meal calendar each week. Some people do this monthly, but personally, I feel like that is a pretty big undertaking, so 1 or 2 weeks at a time, is a little more manageable (but you find out what works best for you specifically). After creating your meal calendar for the week (or month), write down what all you need from the store, to create your grocery list. Then, ask everyone else in the house if there is anything they need from the store. This way, hopefully you will be able to cover everything in one trip and do not have to go back to the store 2-3+ times in one week. This will save time and some money, too. After you get your grocery shopping done, prep whatever you can and make sure you organize your fridge and pantry so that you don’t have to weed through it every single time you take out a meal or a snack. All of these above tips will save you so much time and effort throughout the week – especially if you meal prep ahead of time! 

Consider grocery meal delivery services

Now, to follow along with the same topic as above, some people don’t even have time to go grab groceries…and that’s okay; I understand! Meal prepping, creating a meal plan and grocery list, and grocery shopping basically takes a full day to do. It’s a lot of work and it takes a ton of time and effort. Instead of doing it all yourself, consider grocery meal delivery services. This is a great way to save time, but one thing to keep in mind is that you also might be spending a little more money because services like Instacart no only ask for a service fee + tip, but they also mark up prices on a lot of products, too. If spending extra is worth having that extra time so that you do not have to shop for yourself, definitely do it! There are plenty of options now-a-days, such as Amazon (Whole Foods), Amazon Fresh, Instacart, Shipt, and more.

Reduce screen time

It is so easy to be sucked in by that TV show that is playing in the background, or your text messages, but screen time truly sucks away a lot of our time and doesn’t give you much back (long-term, at least). Reduce screen time, if possible. Instead of watching TV while you fold laundry, turn on an audio book instead, or play your favorite music. This way, you are still getting some entertainment, but you aren’t distracted by a screen that will cause you to pause to watch while you are getting your list done.

Forgo DIY projects when you can’t take on more

DIY projects can be fun and can save you time, but forgo them, when you feel like you don’t already have the time you need to focus on what you need to do and what you want to do. Instead, hire companies that can help you get those projects and tasks done. Like moving – if you don’t have the time for it (or think that your time could be spent elsewhere), hire a moving company instead. Or, even if you need a large piece of furniture delivered, moved within your house, or taken away, that doesn’t have to be done yourself. Companies like Star City Services are there to help. When you support companies like these long-distance movers (who can also help with all things moving and even Roanoke furniture delivery), you are also supporting the local economy, which is huge and so important. Star City Services is a local company with 4 years of experience. They say, “Star City Services is made up of a small but strong, tight-knit crew committed to fostering relationships and building trust with our clients. Our local movers can handle moves of all sizes and work within a 150-mile radius of Roanoke, VA. We’ll do all the heavy lifting for your residential or commercial move. We can also provide labor-only services if needed. Our #1 goal is to simplify your move by taking some of the weight off your shoulders.” So, support local, and support small, family-run companies like this one. It will save you time + effort, and it will help the local economy, too.

Say “no” when needed

For some reason, it has become very hard to say “no” over the past few years, but I believe that it’s essential. When you have too much on your plate, when you don’t want to devote your time to something else, or when you just want to focus on your family and home, say “no” to parties and people that will take your time away from what you want to be doing, or what you need to be doing. This is an important lesson to learn!