7 Strategies for Saving Time and Money

Straight from the mouths of some of the most time and money-crunched people on earth: family caregivers, here are seven “life hacks”—or every day shortcuts—to help you stay productive (and, more importantly, sane) while juggling your family, your job, and your social life.

Two active members of the AgingCare.com community: Jola and PCVS, share a few of their hard-earned strategies for making day-to-day life a bit easier and more organized:

Don’t hold the phone: Between scheduling appointments with multiple doctors, arguing with banks, and haggling with insurance companies, managing a family can mean spending hours a week on the phone. Jola urges people not to let that time go to waste. “Avoid holding the phone to your ear until someone gets back on the phone 15 minutes later,” she says. Invest in a wireless headset or use your device’s speakerphone feature to keep your hands free to work their multi-tasking magic.

Set aside space: Whether it’s a bowl, a drawer, or a series of wall hooks, designate a particular space for the things you use every day (keys, wallet, cell phone, prescription pill bottles, etc.). Also, if your schedule is tight and somewhat predictable (i.e. you have to take you daughter to soccer practice every Tuesday and Thursday, and grocery store trips occur on Sundays and Wednesdays) make room in your closet for shelves or baskets dedicated to specific days of the week. Every night, put the items you’ll need for tomorrow’s tasks in the basket, or on the shelf—this can help prevent a manic morning dash.

Troubleshoot in advance: When they’re working properly, the electronics in your life can be huge time-savers. However, they can be a nightmare to handle when they don’t work the way you want them too. If you encounter this situation and are able to fix the problem yourself, make sure to write down the solution or mark it in the owner’s manual. As Jola points out, “You’re likely to have the same problem again long after you’ve forgotten how you fixed it last time.”

10 Tips for Saving Time and Money originally appeared on AgingCare.com.

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By Anne-Marie Botek, AgingCare.com Editor

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Chinmayee J.

12:40AM PDT on Mar 27, 2013

Thanks for sharing - I really like the 'Set Aside Space' tip - it won't work for me as I work shiftwork, but it's still a great idea!

March 27
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Tammy B.

6:45AM PDT on Mar 20, 2013

thanks

March 20
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Sheri P.

10:07PM PST on Nov 25, 2012

good tips, thanks!!

November 25
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Bonnie M.

7:00AM PST on Nov 22, 2012

thank you for these helpful tips.

November 22
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Angela B.

10:20AM PST on Nov 21, 2012

Thanks for the tips!

November 21
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Yulan L.

3:29PM PST on Nov 18, 2012

Thanks for the great tips, some I already do.

November 18
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Kathy K.

2:43PM PST on Nov 18, 2012

Thanks.

Vicky B.

6:21AM PST on Nov 18, 2012

thnx/...

Valorie P.

9:35PM PST on Nov 17, 2012

The shopping online is perfect for me. I work all week and do not have time to shop much and the city is an hour away. Online shopping saves gas money, time, and usually has free shipping as well as online coupon codes. I shop through Ebates and that gives me cash back with my order. I don't have to stand in line forever, with screaming over tired children either. It also keeps me from spending extra, which the stores love to put items near the check stand that seem to call my name. Save, save, save!

November 17
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Suzanne L.

8:19PM PST on Nov 17, 2012

Organizing is the main one for me - keeping things in the same place all the time, in my home and in my handbag; and doing whatever prep. I can beforehand.