Your Weekday Time-Saving Hacks

As schoolage children around the country don new gear and pose for the iconic "First Day of School" photos and adults wax nostalgic about summer vacation memories, it’s time to get back into the swing of a routine. From the fall through the spring, there is a high premium placed on conserving resources and saving time. Although the old adage is that "there are no shortcuts in life", there are life hacks that will help you adhere to your schedule, spend more quality time with your family, and reduce the time you spend on repetitive tasks. Here are some great weekday life hacks that will keep you on track:

1. Prep your wardrobe so you can forget about it. On Sunday night, have the family choose clothing for the week ahead. If you have children, get them excited by letting them put on a fashion show and choose their favorite accessories. Consider purchasing clear bins for each day of the week and labeling the bins. Each day's outfit can be placed in the bin, making it easier to simply select that day's outfit. For the adults, clear a small space in the front of your closet and hang your selected outfits. An easy way to separate each day is by placing a different colored hanger in between to signal a new day.

2. Don't let lunch be a chore. When you are in a rush, you are more liable to end up buying lunch or dinner or throwing together a quick meal that may not meet your needs. Place a set of clear bins packed with non-perishable snacks and drinks, such as drink boxes and water bottles, granola bars, chips, fruit cups, and other snacks. These easy-access meal items will help you create a packed lunch quickly and help you identify when you are running low on items. On Sunday night, add fresh fruit and veggies to wax paper or plastic sandwich bags for the entire week. Instead of sandwiches, consider crackers or pita slices and the fillings of your choice in separate containers; the ingredients stay fresh and everyone can grab and go each day. For salads, put fresh greens in a separate container and separate ingredients into smaller containers.

3. It's on the calendar. Managing multiple schedules can be a challenge, particularly with children participating in extracurricular and school activities. Put an oversized calendar in the kitchen and color code based on each family member. Once you receive a calendar of activities, add it to the shared calendar. If the whole family is tied to technology, use the family version of the Google calendar to keep everyone up to date.

While things can get frenetic during the weekday, these time-saving hacks can help you shave time from your day and avoid the frantic daily rush. While we cannot avoid the last-minute surprises, spending some time on the weekend prepping for the week ahead will save you a lot of time during the week.