Day 12–Running Errands Efficiently
January 12, 2010 by Stephanie
12
Efficient Erranding
Do you have an errand day? I didn’t for the longest time, but when I made the decision to run errands on a certain day of the week, I found that it really helped with my planning, and kept me from constantly “quickly running out” a few times during the week, which resulted in much more valuable time.
Your errand day will be whatever fits into your own schedule, and is dependent on where you need to go on a daily/weekly basis. If the places you need to visit are far apart, it won’t make sense to do everything on one day. If you know that on Thursdays you’re right by the library anyway for karate class, then save your book returning to that day.
Use your best judgment.
I have a few places that I need to go on a weekly basis for errands: Trader Joe’s, Safeway, the library, the produce stand, the post office, and usually the drug store. Once a month we need to go to Costco and to the dry cleaner. Just knowing that these stops occur on a regular basis, is enough to try to incorporate a few stops at one time. I don’t like to go to Safeway and Trader Joe’s on the same day–even though they are super close to each other. It wears me out.
Figure out a plan that works for you and your family, and write it out and on your calendar. Knowing what you have to do on a given day relieves a lot of undue stress. Many people plan their shopping according to store circulars and coupons. Do whatever works!
continue with the Daily 7
yesterday: weekend recovery
tomorrow: how to speed dust and vacuum
When I had 1 kid, I had an errand day, but after I had the twins it changed completely. They just don’t have the stamina to get to a 3rd or 4th place, and I get exhausted doing the double carseats all the time. Now, I have to use time on the weekends to run around alone or with just 1 kid.
I would agree with that, Gina! Running errands with littles is super hard. You’re doing the right thing—-gotta go with the flow.
xoox steph
I love this. Friday is my day. Its my day off from work and the kids are in school so I plan the route and usually get it all done.
I think the trick is to do it alone (or as close to alone as possible) and to not veer off your plan. Some days I have as many as 8 errands, though some are quick. But any distractions tend to get me off schedule so I found that I have to be very diligent. (Or else the payback is having to run errands on the weekends which is when we try to have family time).
by the way I love your blogs and Congrats on your new baby!