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Many parents are time-short these days.
With work and family responsibilities, there’s not a lot of free time for most moms and dads.
Here are two simple tips that can create more time and save money:
1. Shop once a week. Plan the week’s menus, make a list of what you need and then shop for everything at once using your list. You’ll not only save time, but money as well…less gas with only one trip and you won’t be picking up items on a whim.
2. Cook once a week. Chose a morning, afternoon or evening when you have a few hours of uninterrupted time. Make a roast chicken, baked potatoes and a couple of casseroles. Store everything in the fridge or freezer and you’ll have dinners (and perhaps lunches as well) for the entire week. All you’ll have to do is heat, add a side of salad or veggies and serve.
What do I do with the time that I’ve saved? I read a book, exercise or spend some quality time with my family.
What would you do with your free time? Do you have one or two top tips to save time and money? Please share.
Related articles
- Meal Planning Monday (mummysknee.wordpress.com)
- Five tricks for thrifty menu plans (blogs.confused.com)
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Good tips, Vivian.
I make BIG pots of veggie soup . . . and freeze batches for later meals.
I make BIG pans of lasagne . . . and freeze in 2-3 portion servings.
I do the same with Chili and a few other casseroles.
Usually we cook enough for planned leftovers . . . cook once, eat twice (or three times).
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Wish I had been so smart years ago. 🙂 I guess there is some advantage to getting older. 🙂 And that’s why I love the internet and blogging community…younger moms and dads have such a great resource of info…especially important since these days, many families are so spread out and young parents don’t have the help of relatives.
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Those dishes in the picture are making me hungry! More free time, more money, more delicious meals. Works for me. 😉
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Thanks Eliz. It seems so simple to me now…but I don’t think I was so thoughtful and organized when my kids were small…but I was home all day (operating my home daycare) and it seemed like I had plenty of time.
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Awarded you the Versatile blog award. Check it out at http://smartypantsfun.com/versatile-blog-award/
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Thanks so much…I went to your blog and added you to my Google+ circles. Love the printable pages. 🙂 Crafting with kids is one arm of the triumverate of activities that kids love..reading and cooking are the other two!
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I always shop once a week but I cook every day. I should consider to try to cook once a week as well.. Thank you for the tip, Vivian 🙂
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It’s a thought. It does free up lots of time that you can be doing something else…like reading with your children, or relaxing with a book yourself, taking a nap, going for a walk, etc.
I love to cook, Yulia, but I also enjoy having the extra time that cooking once or twice a week provides. 🙂
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