This post was sponsored by Hellenbrand. All opinions are my own.
We all have things that keep us from doing what we love. And, recently I was with a bunch of my mom friends and we got to complaining a little bit, but really, we were venting! Really! Venting because we realized we waste a lot of time on small things. It is hard to admit, but we can easily become side-tracked from things we enjoy because our homes just don't flow right. It is your home, make it yours, streamline it, and realize that you aren't alone. In speaking with my friends, I realized that others probably want to know ways to keep their homes more efficient, so here I am helping you out with 7 simple hacks for creating a more efficient home.
7 Simple Hacks for Creating a More Efficient Home
Let's talk about real ways to help improve life. By having a more efficient home, we not only save time, but we can also worry less.
1. Utilize the one in, one out rule. If you buy a new shirt, send one to the donate pile. If this happens for each person in the house, things will not accumulate (admit it, you have a collection of something: Magazines perhaps? Yes, when the new issue arrives in the mail, please recycle the old!) Believe me, you can find things easier with less clutter.
2. Utilize a calendar app for the entire family. By using a family calendar, you can schedule when someone has a meeting that can't be changed, or when someone has to be at a medical appointment, and there's no guess work over whether or not someone knows what's happening. Make it a habit to keep the calendar updated, and always check the calendar the night before, this way you'll know if you need to be up early and there are no "good morning" surprises that someone has a science report due!
3. Stop the worrying over the basic things like water. Personally, I am confident that the improved drinking water from Hellenbrand takes away any concerns over water and brings me peace of mind. The Millennium Reverse Osmosis system helps to take the worry over whether or not the water your family has is safe.
4. Keep a first aid kit in each bathroom in the home, especially if you have multiple levels. It helps you take care of an injury quicker, AND prevents someone from limping up the stairs to find a BandAid!
5. At the beginning of the school year, buy your kids all the same socks, except for one special pair if they want them. It helps sorting and there's no leftover socks, at least you won't know if any are missing. Make the child (if they're school aged or above) responsible for their special pair. Most socks can be hand washed or soaked and dried in the bathroom without issue, so for one pair, there's no reason to not give them that responsibility. This hack can definitely can be a time saver for the person folding socks!
6. Meal prep on your slow day. That means cutting veggies in advance and storing them in the refrigerator until you need them. If you don't like it, then you can pay a few extra dollars per week for pre sliced onions or cubed squash. It is your choice. From your shopping you can make your meal plan and ensure that you have everything, so there's no last minute "I don't have everything for dinner, so that means we don't have anything for dinner" panics! Note: If you can, pack all lunches on Sunday night before the school/work week. There are a few items that won't "keep" until Friday, but most items will. Also, by packing everyone almost the same lunch, you save time and money.
7. Vinegar and baking soda. Have these two items around all the time. If you run out of your regular cleaning supplies, one of these two will almost always do the trick.
Your Family's Hacks
What hacks do you have that help keep things moving smoothly at home? What are things that overwhelm you and keep you from being at peace and enjoying your life?
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Elizabeth O says
As we pack up our home and get things sorted for sale or giveaway, we are making sure that our next space will be supremely efficient. We all need that change.
Emily says
We meal plan and love it. I try to buy kids their each color of socks. That way since they have all differerent sizes they aren't confused!
parpar de real says
These are absolutely a great tips to all the parents. My wife should know this
Dawn McAlexander says
I have never utilized the one in, one out rule. I have way too many shirts, so this is a good one to make my closet more efficient. Thanks for the tip!
Jennifer Henry-Novich says
I really need to utilize the one in and one out method. yes, I have those notorious stacks of magazines.
Robin Rue says
I love the idea of the socks! I am always hating finding that some don't have mates anymore.
Nicole Escat says
What a brilliant ideas! Simple hacks makes our daily lives easier and wise. So glad that I found your blog about these simple hacks. Thank you so much.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I do not know what I would do without my calendar app. I would not be able to keep the family straight.
kristin says
Great tips! My husband does all of the home stuff, just emailed him this link!
Jasmine says
The one in one out is something I need to work on! It would help to make space now and avoid piling up.
Ann Bacciaglia says
These are great tips. Meal planning is a great way to save money and time.
Amanda Love says
I love all these suggestions, they're easy to maintain and you can make sure that the whole family can use them too. I think it's a great idea to have a first aid kit in every room, in case something happens.
Allison says
I love these tips! I've been following #1 a lot this summer and getting new items for school and wardrobe basics and getting rid of the old, beat up stuff!
Nikki Wayne says
I like the hacks that I can do with vinegar and baking soda! These are nice tips!
Crystal says
That sock thing saved me this year! Because I have three kids who have similarly sized feet, I put initials on the toe with a Sharpie. That made it simple to figure out whose were whose.
Melisasource says
These are great tips! I don't know about the sock idea though.. my kids' feet are pretty nasty and they know it. They'd be grossed out to know that they might be wearing a sock that their sibling wore.
Sara Phillips says
Meal prep is the best!! And I love the one in, one out rule but I need to use it better!
Toni | BoulderLocavore.com says
Love all your tips! Love the idea about the socks and meal planning.
Denise says
Thanks for the tips, I could definitely use a more organized home!!
Liz Mays says
This is definitely some good advice. I wouldn't mind having a safer, cleaner water system for sure.
Val says
Super great hacks for creating a more efficient home. I am glad that you shared these because they will be quite useful around here.
Amy @ Marvelous Mommy says
I love #1, I need to get rid of some clutter! We don't use half of it anyway!
Jeanine says
This is great! These are some very wonderful tips! Anything to make our house more efficient in any way we can we are all for.
Beeb Ashcroft says
My husband and I have been attempting to make our home more efficient as well. These are some great tips!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Great, great tips! We have a family calendar and the whole family gets involved in weekly food prep on Saturdays. It saves a ton of time and my sanity.
Monica says
This is so helpful! We've been trying to really focus on the letting go of things -especially when something new comes in! I really need to get on a calendar app. Excellent tips
Melissa says
These are some great tips and hacks! My husband and I keep talking about getting our water tested!
Kim Delatorre says
Great tips! I try to meal plan, but that happens in the mornings! I like the buy one thing, donate the other, that would certainly help with the piles of stuff around my home!