Running Errands Efficiently

Running errands can quickly and easily consume an entire day. It can also accumulate unnecessary expenses.

When you consider the gas you use driving from location to location, the meals and/or snacks you will most likely purchase while you are out and, if you have children, the rewards you will, no doubt, purchase for them in exchange for good behavior, spending an entire day running from store to store can be costly.

If you work outside the home, the last thing you want to do is run back out after getting home from work. If you are a stay at home mom, you probably think about how much faster and easier it would be to do your runing around without your children in tow.

You can organize errands with very little effort. All it takes is a little prior planning.

The most important thing you need to do is plan ahead and schedule these little trips into your week. Keep a small notebook with you at all times or designate a section of your planner. Whenever you think of something you need to accomplish, jot it down.

At the end of every day, when you are looking at your calendar to plan for the day ahead, compare your list with your schedule for the next few days.

If you notice that on Tuesday you will drive right past the pharmacy on your way to the dentist, it makes sense to plan your trip to the pharmacy for Tuesday. Write it into your schedule and cross it off your list.

Learn to organize errands and plan them into your schedule and you will save yourself time and money. You will never have to waste an entire day again.

To be sure you are always prepared, here are some additional tips to consider:

• Designate a place for the documents such as prescriptions, receipts or coupons that you may need. Keep them in an envelope in your car or your purse or clip them to the planner page for the appropriate day.

• Keep some canvas tote bags in your car at all times. Not only does using these bags help save the environment, but they will also ensure that you are ready to stop and shop at any time.

• If you need to accomplish several things at one stop, or purchase several items at one store, make yourself a list that you can bring into the store with you to be sure you do not forget anything.

• Keep some non-perishable snacks in your car for yourself and your children just in case things take a little longer than expected or somebody gets hungry between stops.

• When planning multiple stops, always start at the furthest point away from home and work your way back.

• If you work outside the home, can you accomplish anything on your lunch break?

• Can you make a stop or two on your way to or from work?

Stop wasting time. Start running errands efficiently today.