https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:01:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907811 Tue, 07 Jan 2020 21:04:12 +0000 LadyDi 2907811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are some great tips. I've already started to implement some of them. </p> <p>I don't have any tips that are particularly innovative--</p> <p>-I meal plan weekly and try to spend an hour or so on Sunday chopping vegetables and getting as much dinner prep done as I can.<br /> -I SAH and I start to get lunch ready while the kids finish breakfast. I load dishes into the dishwasher and keep the kitchen tidy as the day goes on.<br /> -I try to eat the same lunch every day (usually a salad and soup I make on the weekend) so it saves leftovers for dinner later in the week.<br /> -DH picks up my target order once every two weeks or so. This saves time AND money because I'm not wandering through target buying things I don't need.<br /> -I do laundry on the weekend, kids laundry gets done every week and our laundry is done every other week. DH and I fold while we watch a show on Sunday night and I put clothes away Monday morning as kids wake up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907788 Tue, 07 Jan 2020 16:19:52 +0000 graceandjoy 2907788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sckim: Same; never separated, never had problems :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907782 Tue, 07 Jan 2020 14:31:34 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2907782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love these! I've never heard of the one touch rule but that basically explains how I already operate and it is so much more efficient. </p> <p>Here are mine:<br /> - Grocery pick up/ Target drive up<br /> - Baby sleeps in clean clothes for the next day.<br /> - Toddler outfits are set out at night.<br /> - Pack my car with everything the night before. Anything that needs to stay cold goes in the garage refrigerator so I can grab on my way out the door.<br /> - Weekly meal planning<br /> - Share shopping and notes apps with DH so we can both add items to household lists<br /> - Kids eat breakfast at daycare </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907729 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 20:54:20 +0000 winter_wonder 2907729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are awesome you guys! I love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907727 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 20:35:54 +0000 LemonJack 2907727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, I’m NOT efficient with my time at all, but one thing I do well is meal plan. I just do it a week out. We buy everything we need the weekend before so I don’t have to run to the grocery store on my way home. It’s the only way I can get healthy food on the table! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907726 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 20:33:25 +0000 JennyPenny 2907726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: Here's my current list. I put the source for the ones that have online recipes. </p> <p>Baked Ham with bread and cheese<br /> Chicken Souvlaki with relish and yogurt sauce - dinneratthezoo<br /> Burgers<br /> Turkey Chili Soup - skinnytaste<br /> Ham and puff pastry tart - ina garten<br /> Alfredo with Bacon, Broccoli and Chicken - juliasalbum<br /> Barbeque Pork - chowhound<br /> Chicken Souvlaki with lemon rice - butterwithasideofbread<br /> Steak<br /> Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup<br /> Tacos and Fiesta Rice - skinnytaste for rice<br /> Tomato Tart - david lebovitz<br /> Bolognese<br /> Rosemary Chicken<br /> Bean Salad - skinnytaste<br /> Rotisserie Chicken<br /> Beef stroganoff - skinnytaste<br /> Crepes<br /> Chicken Parmesan<br /> Steak burrito bowls </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907722 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 20:18:05 +0000 Jennibenni 2907722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One small thing is I treat Friday evenings like every other weeknight, in terms of getting ready for Monday. This helps Sunday night not be a sh*tshow. I get backpacks sorted and repacked, get snacks, get clothes for Monday ready, get anything I need ready, and then it’s just there waiting for Monday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907718 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 19:29:36 +0000 gotkimchi 2907718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: yes great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907717 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 19:24:36 +0000 LCTBQE 2907717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: will you post your list here??! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907714 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 18:57:31 +0000 caitcat 2907714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sckim: I stopped folding my kids laundry a while back too, and it’s been such a nice time saver! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907712 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 17:39:53 +0000 sckim 2907712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't sort laundry. everything gets thrown in together on cold wash. I do a load every 1-2 days. I have a laundry basket for each member of the family and everything gets sorted (not folded). My kids dresses/shirts get hung, then leggings/pants/undies/socks get thrown into their drawers. I was wasting too much time folding my kids clothes when it doesnt stay folded anyways. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907705 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:45:37 +0000 catgirl 2907705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: oh yes! We do something similar and it is great! I keep a list of go to recipes/meals and we cycle through them. I think there are currently 20ish on the list. But each week I also pick one new recipe to try, if we like it we add it to the regular list. I cook 4 or 5 meals a week and make enough for leftovers. And one meal a week I double and freeze for later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907704 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:35:41 +0000 JennyPenny 2907704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of the biggest changes that has freed up mental space this past year is I made a rotating meal plan. It's an ordered list of 20 meals that my kids will eat (at least part of) and take &lt; 30 minutes of active time to get on the table and usually have 1-2 nights of leftovers. When it's time to hit the store I just look at the next two items on the list and that's what I get ingredients for. It's ordered so I don't have 2 nights of beef or Mexican or something similar in a row. And as an added bonus, I've made them frequently enough now that I've gotten even more efficient about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907701 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:12:48 +0000 wrkbrk 2907701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: Love the IF idea as a life hack! I’m going to read up on it and try after my January whole 30 is over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907697 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 16:05:45 +0000 graceandjoy 2907697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: Yass to not bathing the kids daily! I mean during the summer we mostly bath daily/as needed but all other seasons we do not and I feel like it saves me so much time/energy! </p> <p>I think mostly it's just systems, systems, systems. I clean up every single night so we rarely have to do any deep cleaning; for really deep cleaning I'd just hiring someone to do it annually. Now that the kids are "older" (5&amp;3) I am getting more help cleaning up their own stuff, putting away their own laundry, etc. As much as I hate cleaning up after them as they play if we happen to be home all day, I find that doing that still saves me time afterwards to clean up a colossal disaster haha. </p> <p>My best hack is probably I clean the shower when I'm in the shower :happy: I used to hate having to clean the tub until I just started doing that while I'm in there already! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907662 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 13:48:03 +0000 crazydoglady 2907662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: I wish; V is straight up rabid in the bathtub! Trying to climb out, unplug it, pull the curtain down, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907661 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 13:46:31 +0000 crazydoglady 2907661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: YES to grocery delivery service! Ours is 5 dollars for delivery and worth every single penny. They will call me if they are out of an item and ask for a substitute. Like, they were out of asparagus and asked if we would like a different veggie.<br /> Ok, so I am no expert, but this is what we do:<br /> -- grocery delivery<br /> -- adult lunches are leftovers from night before<br /> -- kid's lunches are made the night before<br /> -- we have a smaller house (less to clean)<br /> -- have a gardener<br /> --dress DS in shirts and underwear he will wear next day, so we just have to change pants<br /> -- only give 2 baths a week<br /> --buying things like paper towels and toilet paper in bulk<br /> --intermittent fasting: saves time on making breakfast for myself, money, and I've lost 10 lbs in 2 months<br /> I will admit that I am TERRIBLE about cleaning in the moment (just not something I was taught,) so this is really helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907656 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 12:44:30 +0000 Ajsmommy 2907656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-grocery delivery service (has been worth every penny!!)<br /> -meal plan weekly and prepare one or two of those meals on the weekend (for example we made chili yesterday and we'll eat it 2 times for dinner this week, once with butter bread and once over noodles)<br /> -unload and repack DD's backpack as soon as we get home<br /> -Pack dd's lunch using same items but mix it up a bit.. meaning we have a bunch of snack type items in the pantry every day I grab 2-3 of them and put it in with a lunchable or a pbj sandwich or a hot item in her thermos and a Tupperware of fresh fruits<br /> -fold laundry while watching kids play in bath<br /> -always put away all laundry after folded<br /> -i put ds's clothes away as outfits so it's easy to just grab one and go<br /> -DD wears dresses every day with leggings. I hang her dresses up for easy access and picking then she just grabs a pant and she's good</p> <p>I could use a lot more! Thanks for starting this post. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907655 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 12:42:28 +0000 wrkbrk 2907655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this wouldn’t work for everyone, but I take half days every Friday that allows for it to run personal errands so the weekend doesn’t get eaten up with boring to-dos!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907649 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 11:18:38 +0000 LCTBQE 2907649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: These are all great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907648 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 11:18:09 +0000 LCTBQE 2907648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-Unsubscribe from all garbage/bullshit/marketing emails so they don't show up in the first place<br /> -Teaching my 3-year-old that we have to clean up toys before bath time<br /> -Tidy for 15-20 minutes after the kids go to bed (get to enjoy a clean house while I'm relaxing at night, not too tired to do it, start fresh the next day)<br /> -Fold laundry while I'm watching TV<br /> -What @catgirl: said about multi-task cleaning. I clean and wipe out our bathroom drawers and linen closet during my 3-year-old's bath as needed and wipe down/arrange kitchen drawers and cabinets during cooking downtime. I couldn't manage this with a baby (you're not going to leave your baby unattended in a bathtub!) but now that we're securely in toddler zone it's feasible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907635 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 08:52:51 +0000 DesertDreams88 2907635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For socks, we buy just 2 solid colors per person. No need to match them all after laundry and be annoyed by missing socks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907626 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 05:04:27 +0000 karenbme 2907626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In addition to the one touch rule I use the 2 minute rule for chores—if it’s going to take 2 minutes or less do it right away, which for us means no more baskets on the stairs and so many little things just done all the time.</p> <p>This is controversial, but at work I don’t waste time deleting emails. I sort into folders based on importance and a lot of things, like one word “thanks” emails or coworkers on soap boxes, stay unopened. Not deleting means I have a great archive if I ever need to search back for something to refresh my memory as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907620 Mon, 06 Jan 2020 00:15:20 +0000 ALV91711 2907620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: I like the dress plan! </p> <p>I try and buy most of my kids clothes in neutral colours so it is easy to dress them. </p> <p>I like to meal plan and I make lunches while I clean up dinner. If I’m really on top of things I’ll plan one or two meals a week with enough leftovers to freeze for another time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907613 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 22:36:13 +0000 DesertDreams88 2907613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My gmail auto-sorts incoming mail into folders.</p> <p>My gmail app lets me delete with one swipe.</p> <p>Spring-Fall I just wear short-sleeved dresses, no matching or multiple pieces involved. I have 30 that I just cycle through - whatever is closest to the left is what's "next."</p> <p> My kids change into a new outfit before bed, and that will be their outfit for the next day. We don't do pajamas. We do comfy clothes in general, like no jeans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907609 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 19:59:43 +0000 catgirl 2907609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Twice a day I set a timer for 15 minutes and I clean up/tidy up as much as I can before it beeps. </p> <p>We keep baskets on the stairs for things that need to go up or down. Then whenever I am going up I take the basket with me and put things away. And same for going down. </p> <p>Very detailed meal planning and pre chopping as many things as possible right when I get home from the store.</p> <p>Make my grocery list based on store layout so I can shop quickly and only go down the aisles I need to. </p> <p>One touch rule - if I can finish a task by only touching it once I do it right away. When I get home I always hang my coat up right away, rather than putting it on the bench and having to do it later. </p> <p>Try to finish chores while doing other activities - when DD is taking a bath I clean the bathroom. Always clean the kitchen while I am cooking or while waiting for water to boil for tea. </p> <p>And lists, so many lists. Most on my phone, some on paper. But I make lists for everything. It helps me remember things and makes it easy to share with DH what needs to be done, purchased, or addressed in some capacity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907601 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 19:20:42 +0000 Pollywog 2907601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For work, I answer an email immediately that I can resolve quickly. Otherwise I flag it. I sort my email with flagged stuff first, so I always see everything on my to-do list</p> <p>At home, I meal plan and have pretty clear chore divisions with DH. We both know what we need to do and don't micromanage each other </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907599 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 19:11:19 +0000 gotkimchi 2907599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also try to only touch things once - bills, mail, paper coming in the house etc. pay it right away, put it where it goes</p> <p>I also work at a grocery store and will make a pick up order during work and grab it when I get off lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907598 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 19:09:27 +0000 winter_wonder 2907598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few I use:</p> <p>Work:<br /> 1. Handle it once rule for email- if I can respond then and there I will.</p> <p>2. I turn off email when writing/deeper work.</p> <p>Home:<br /> 1. I lay out all my clothes for week on Sunday nights (and DD's too).</p> <p>2. I try to do a weekly meal plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/efficiency-and-productivity-hacks#post-2907597 Sun, 05 Jan 2020 19:06:44 +0000 winter_wonder 2907597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are your favorite efficiency and productivity hacks? They could be home or work related!</p> <p>January really puts me into an efficiency mindset :happy: </p>