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This post has been sponsored by Store Brand Formula. All thoughts and reviews are my own. Being a mom means you are up early, to bed late and doing a hundred different things every day to help your kids, house, spouse, pets, friends, family and everything and everyone else. It can all be overwhelming and wear you out quickly if you don’t moderate yourself and take time to step back for a minute. You might feel like you can’t fit in a simple break, but I am going to share 10 life-hacks for busy moms that will guarantee you will be able to take at least a 5-minute break 😉
- Here is a simple one – CLEANING PLASTIC TOYS. Watch the video above to see how easy this is and will save you the time of cleaning them individually. This is great to do after your littles go to sleep so they are nice and clean the next day!
- One this that has helped us a ton is a FAMILY CALENDAR. We have a whiteboard calendar on the wall that we update regularly so everyone knows what is going on and when – no more last minute trips to the store for a project or being late to an engagement.
- Another huge time saver is having a MEAL PLAN. We plan our meals out two weeks at a time, and make sure we have the ingredients on hand. If you have older kids they can even help with the prepping and cooking so you can focus on other things (like taking a nap 😉 ).
- LAUNDRY is always an issue when you have kids – and a big family. I always do one load every day, and it helps keep the madness under control. It also helps when you need a specific piece of clothing – so it’s not at the bottom of the hamper on the night of the game or performance.
- SHOP ALL YEAR LONG for Birthday and Christmas gifts. Don’t wait until the last minute to do your gift shopping. Keep your eyes open for great deals and buy them and keep them until the birthday or holiday. You can even wrap them and keep them in a box – so they are ready to put under the tree!
- A big chunk of my time every week is spent at the grocery store. I have been able to minimize this to less than 30 minutes by USING GROCERY PICK-UP. I just go online (do Walmart, Kroger stores, etc) and order your groceries online then pick them up. It is so simple and you can still use coupons, etc. It also helps with NOT making unnecessary purchases.
- Doing a 5-MINUTE CLEAN UP helps keep the house looking great. Just go through the house a few times a day and do a 5-minute clean up. Have the kids help, make it a challenge. They will love it. If you are doing this every day, it not only builds good habits of putting things away and keeping things clean, but you don’t have to spend a whole Saturday cleaning the house.
- DELEGATE responsibilities to your family members. Make a chore chart, have them help with yard work, laundry, meals, and all of the other things. Not only does it teach them how to do it, but you are relieving some stress from your shoulders.
- If you have kids in extracurricular activities, then find other kids who live close at set up a CARPOOL. This will limit the amount of driving you are doing and makes it easier for the other parents too.
- If you have babies, you can PREPARE STORE FORMULA and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You can also use an ice pack to keep it cold if traveling. For older kids, keep a stash of healthy treats and some water on hand in the car. This helps you satisfy the almost guaranteed “I’m hungry” or “I’m thirsty” you will hear the minute the car leaves the driveway without stopping.
Here is more information on preparing store formula ahead of time. This is a huge timesaver, especially when you are always on-the-go. I mostly formula feed all of my kids. I really loved the convenience of it and my husband and other kids also enjoyed being able to help feed the baby. You can download a free e-book on formula feeding from storebrandformula.com. This is a great resource for new and expecting parents.
I hope that these tips will help you save some time every day so you can relax a little and have time to do something on your own list – like read, take a nap, watch a movie ;). Be sure to check out https://www.storebrandformula.com to learn more about formula feeding and you can even enter to win a $75 gift card.
We are excited to be offering a $25 Gift Card Giveaway. You can use it to buy store formula or anything else you need. One winner will receive a virtual gift card that can only be used for online purchases. This is open to the US. Must be 18 or older. Sweepstakes will run from 12/4/18 through 12/13/18.
Enter on the Rafflecoptor below. If on a mobile device, click on the box below to go to the entry page.
This contest is not endorsed or sponsored by Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google or any other social media. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. The winner will be contacted via email. The winner is responsible for contacting me within 24 hours, or a new winner will be chosen. The prize is provided by StorebrandFormula.com. Lovebugs & Postcards and Daddy by Day are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Good Luck!
I plan meals weekly.
I plan my trips to avoid making many making small trips.
My best life hack is remembering that happiness is a choice.
Never buy on impulse. Just thinking about it overnight will let you decide if it is really a good purchase.
Start saving in your twenties, even if it’s juts a little
Learn how to budget and coupon when you are younger so you don’t go crazy with money later on in life!
I try and double recipes and freeze the 2nd portion. That way when I can’t cook or don’t feel like cooking, I have a homemade meal on hand.
We keep a cooler and bag in the car at all times. Snacks ie healthy bars, lances whole wheat cracker & pb packs . all kinds of nuts, apple juice boxes. Pb to go cups, pretzels…has saved us so many times …anything to avoid stopping at 7-11 or golden arches🌱
I keep my calendar by my coffee cups so I know what I am doing that day.
My best life hack is getting to go to free movie screenings before movies come out and saving a small fortune on movie tickets.
I use pop-up reminders on my computer to help me remember relative’s birthdays, tasks to do ,etc.
Bring lunch to work and save big $
Use a string of Xmas lights in your child’s bedroom as a night light.
I make sure the kids’ backpacks are near the door the night before. I also pack their lunches the night before.
My life hack is to have a weekly planner to keep track of appointments, to-do lists, and important tasks. Life can be hectic sometimes. It is nice to have a list with reminders to help with organization and keep track of everything.
I try to have everything ready for whatever event is happening the day/night before. For example, if we’re going to an event, I try to have everything I’ll need ready to go the night before.
I like to use those colored duct tapes to beautify a folder so it does not fall apart as fast.
I wish I was that imaginative to have life hacks like everyone else LOL I love what I have read here and know that I will be using them. I actually watch a lot of 5 minute hacks for ideas on youtube.
Make a yearly budget and stick to it.
Make a double meal so then half can be frozen for another night.
I like to use old newspapers instead of paper towels for washing windows
Make finances a priority. Stick to your budget, save money and keep a good credit score. All of those things will help throughout your life.
If I know I have somewhere to go during the week I’ll cook a big meal the day before to make sure there’s plenty left over for the next day to save from having to eat out.
Paper towel and toilet paper cardboard rolls do well to contain various cords when they are not in use.
Have a calendar available at all times & use it!
My best life hack is Siri. Although, these comments have given me some other ideas!!!
My best lift hack is “cleaning as I go” when I am making a meal or baking in the kitchen. For example, as soon as I use an ingredient, I put it away right away.
That is tough.. My best life hack. I keep a flashlight in each of my kids room in case we lose electricity or get a storm.
best life hack is make a weekly schedule
Go through your magazines as soon as you get them. Fold down a corner on an article that you want to read for latter.
Go through mail and respond to it the day it arrives.
Best lifehack is to make extra food everytime I cook and freezing it for lunches and dinners.
I cook large meals and freeze portion size amounts for days I cannot cook due to my health issues.
I use vinegar for cleaning.
Being a new stay at home parent this article is helpful.
I make big meals that can be made into several other dinners.
Club soda will get red wine stains out of your garments or carpet.
I use nail polish to identify different keys on my key chain.
Wash a baby in a small clothes basket, this way they do not slip or fall while in the bathtub.
Here is a life hack I learned recently from my friend. Use a plastic bread bag tab to hold your place on a roll of masking tape.
I like the 5 minute clean up ideas! We have been setting out school clothes and making lunches the night before so that we can save time in the mornings!
I make out a list of what I need at the grocery store while I’m planning dinners for the week.
I always make extra for dinner so as to have leftovers for lunch.
Do a different cleaning chore each day that way you have free time on the weekend!
My life hack is to take 5 minutes before bed and put things away. It’s nice to wake up to a tidy house.
My best life hack is to write everything down so you don’t forget.
i like to eat before grocery shopping
I lay out my clothes the night before to save tine the next morning when im in a hurry.
Picking out outfits the night before.
My favorite life hack is to never run out of vinegar for cleaning.
My life hack is to clean & sanitize with rubbing alcohol.
I wash my car in the rain (before taking my shower), but it’s warm here in Hawaii!
I take a picture of where I parked if its in a huge parking lot or garage.
Hmmm… what don’t I hack?! lol Over the door shoe holders are great to hold rolled up leggings.
Always bring a book with you wherever you go so that you will not have to suffer insufferable people because, after all, life is just too short.
Don’t go food shopping on an empty stomach.
My life hack is I shop year round for sales and promotional items.I also use coupons frequently.
I use a tennis ball in my dryer to make the clothes, towels and sheet more fluffy it works.
Always keep a sugar packet or a small treat in your pocketbook-this could help a person with low blood sugar stay conscious.
I use duct tape to slide under my fridge and stove to grab dust bunnies that I can’t reach.
I time myself during cleaning to keep myself motivated, and see what I can accomplish in short bursts of time.
I don’t have any special life hacks other than to shop sales and use coupons and frequent couponing sites to get groceries and household items for basically free if not better.
I use vinegar to clean.
I pull out 2 to 3 outfits for my 3 year old every couple of days and let her pick what she wants to wear that day in the morning.
Awesome site!
My simple life hack is cleaning with with vinegar and water!
Having been a care taker for many years, I began to neglect me – this has changed and I am learning to include myself in my day to day activities including exercising “ME” on a regular basis. I look forward to getting back to a normal routine. Have picked up some bad habits over the years and slowly working toward replacing them with positive ones.
My favorite life hack is to have a to do list for every day
We just used a hack on my daughter’s truck. She had a small dent. We got a new toilet plunger and used it on the truck. It worked! It was awesome!
Buy as many items such as clothing and holiday decor off season to save a lot of money.
I use baking soda and boiling water to unclog drains.
clean up a little bit everyday to keep up on chores!
Keep a box of cornstarch in your pantry. It will untangle all kinds of knots.
I don’t know if this qualifies as a life hack but I pick out the kids’ clothes the night before to save on morning stress.
Never go shopping anywhere without a list – and stick to it.
Thanks for the contest.
I hang up hand washables on a clothing line inside the house.
Buy holiday decorations on clearance at the end of the season to use for next year.
I try to clean up one room each day. It keeps me from getting bogged down
Use baking soda and boiling water to keep drains from clogging and keeps them smelling good.
vinegar removes smells especially in the fridge
Always have lots of first aid kits. That’s all I got.
Make a standard meal item in bulk and freeze it, that way you don’t have to cook every day.
I use grocery bags as dog poop bags.
I like to use vinegar mixed with water as a natural cleaning solution.
Constantly minimizing possessions – life is so much easier with less to clean, maintain, and organize.
Make more room in luggage and drawers by rolling clothes
Tell anyone interested in dating you that your pet (s) are part of who you are- and if they can’t live with this, then you can’t commit to a long term relationship.
Always keep your pantry stocked
I am a big fan of microfiber cloths for cleaning, especially glass and shiny appliances. They do a great job and don’t leave any lint or streaks behind.
Buy only standing bag laundry baskets with the handles. I have 4 standing in my laundry room at all times. Right from the dryer each person has their own bag so their clothes just drop right into the bags. I never have to fold clothes again!!
Alos have a big one for all towels!
My favorite hack is to make a list once of all your favorite seasonal recipes and store it in your favorite cookbook so you have it ready every year.
I like to dust off the counter while I’m brushing my teeth to do 2 things at once.
I never buy broth because I make my own from bones and scraps.
I have a shoe box for each year that I put the receipt for tax related matters.
My favorite life hack is to use used dryer sheets to dust your house. They collect the dust very well.
Every time I leave a room I take something with me that belongs somewhere else.
My biggest life hack is that I meal plan and grocery shop every two weeks.
I use little binder clips to straighten my cords.
I use a bread tab to hold my spot on rolls of tape.