Ten time-saving tips to make your life as a busy mom easier

Since having my second baby, I am looking for ways I can save time taking care of my household. Having a dirty house and running low on time makes me even more stressed out. I have a few tips to share how I try to stay organized and get things done around the home.

1. Menu Plan: This is something that I do off and on and wish I could stick with it because it makes my life so much easier. Having all the meals planned out for the week makes it easier to get meals together and I'm saving time by not running to the store every couple of days for things I need.

2. Follow Money-Saving Blogs: There are a few money saving blogs I follow to save time and money. I don't have the time to search online every time a good sale is on or do coupon match ups from the weekly grocery ads. I subscribe to these blogs and follow them on Facebook so I know when a hot deal or coupon is released and can take advantage of them.

3. Stock up on sale items: I stock up on a variety of meats when they are on sale. I then prep them and put a meal's worth into individual zip lock bags and freeze them. It makes it fast to throw a bag in the microwave to defrost when I need one. Since I have been doing this for a couple years now I know that our local store usually puts chicken breasts on sale at the cheapest price about every 3 months. When they go on sale I stock up about 3 months worth.

4. Buy in Bulk: I'm learning what purchases are cheaper to buy in bulk to save money. Buying in bulk also means less trips to the store which saves time.

5. Shop on line: What better way to save time from taking trips into town when you can purchase on line? I purchase a large majority of items that run my bathroom, laundry and kitchen on line and shipped to me. Saves me a trip to town!

6. Keep clutter under control: Keep items from cluttering up by picking up items here and there to put away where they belong if you are going to that room anyway. This saves me time in the evening after the kids are in bed since there is less to pick up.

7. Cook a double batch: I make a variety of muffins, pancakes, waffles and cookies that I can freeze leftovers easily. This saves precious time in the morning if we need to get out of the house quickly. It takes just a second to defrost them in the microwave. You can also do this with dinner recipes such as casseroles, enchiladas, etc.

8. Keep a list: Keep a list of items you need to buy on your fridge and a list of things you need to do by your computer. The list on the fridge is the ultimate place for remembering what items you are running out of in your kitchen. The list by the computer helps remind you that you have more important things to do and not waste too much time on the computer (maybe I'm the only one that has that problem!).

9. Keep a bag on the back door: Keep a bag hanging on the back door (or whatever door you go out of when you leave your house) to put things in it that needs to go out to the car. I put my reusable shopping bags in it, bills that need to be taken to the post office, books that need to be taken back to the library and any other items. Then when I leave the house all the items are all ready to grab and go and I don't have to waste time trying to remember everything I need before I leave the house.

10. Have a schedule for house cleaning: Keep a schedule for cleaning the bathroom, dusting and certain other house cleaning duties that don't have to be done daily.

These are the things that are helping me save time and keep organized while adjusting to have 2 little ones. I'm always looking for ideas to help make life easier. Do you have any other time saving tips?

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 I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Starbucks blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.