Pick up paper towels at the store . . . drop off shoes to be resoled . . . return movies . . . refill a prescription . . . get the kids' coats dry cleaned: If you're a stay-at-home parent, your list of errands can seem endless.
Running errands doesn't have to be the annoying nuisance that comes back to nag at you every few days. Make your errands something you look forward to - treat your kids to ice cream or yourself to a gourmet coffee at the end, and make errand running one of the more efficient parts of your week.
Here are 7 tips for running errands more efficiently.
Be Organized
Have a regular day of the week to run recurring errands. If you’re driving past the bank on your way to Mommy and Me gymnastics every Tuesday, make that your banking day. Find other convenient times and days to stop off at the dry cleaner, post office or drug store, on your way to and from other things.
Combine Your Errands
Save time and gasoline by combining your errands into one stop. Park the car in a central location and walk from one stop to another with a large tote bag for drop-offs and pick-ups. You’ll be saving yourself time and getting some exercise to boot.
Keep a Notebook or Note Cards
Here are two creative ways to keep track of errands: Keep a small spiral notebook as an errands notebook and jot down the errands you need to run. Take the notebook with you and mark them off as you complete them.
Or jot down each errand on a separate note card. When you need to run that errand, place the note card in your purse as a reminder. For example, when you need to buy stamps, place the note card that says "Post Office" in your purse.
Create an Errand Center in Your Home
Create a place to stash movies and library books to return, claim tickets, clothing to have altered, things to return, banking and grocery store lists. Keep it in a central location, such as the kitchen desk, or near the back door, where you can grab from it as you leave the house.
If you're keeping errand note cards, put your cards in here if the errand needs to be done.
Use Your Weekdays Wisely
If you're a stay-at-home parent, take advantage of the fact that you can run errands on weekdays and avoid the weekend crowds and hassles. Most commercial areas are the least busy in the mornings, so plan to run your errands then.
Combine Errands With Grocery Shopping
Combine as many errands as you can with your weekly grocery shopping. Many large grocery stores have banks, small post offices, photo processing, and other services. Take advantage of any one-stop shopping opportunities.
Equip Your Car for Errands
Keep a basket or container on the seat next to you in your car to place movies and library books to return, slips for dry cleaning that needs to be picked up, letters that need to be mailed, and other errands on your list. When your errands are finished, your "to do" basket can become a "done and ready to take in the house" basket.
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