another grwat item for the car is spare towels! kids always get wet if water is around

In this busy world, make a diary, and keep it in handy reach. One of the items in todays world, make a note of all the credit card nos. bank nos. and any other cards you have like iga woolies coles kambo. etc. My friend had her purse stolen yesterday at the shopping market, and she does not have a clue other than the bank ones, what cards she had., so of course could not get to cancel any. This made me realise I would never remember, so I now have an exercise book with all written in… being safe is sure….

keepin nappies,wipes and a change of clothes in the car at all times helps if we forget something or if we have accidents that weren’t planned for.

Love the pre-packed bag idea! Why haven’t I thought of that before?!

We always have 2 plastic boxes with lids in the boot. One has a variety of toys and books and the other is wet weather gear. Often we will visit friends on the off chance and they don’t have toys etc so we just pop the boot. Kids love it as they forgot they even had those toys and are excited all over again.

Pick up something that doesn’t belong in the room each time you leave it and put it back in its place. This means that there’s no big mess to keep cleaning up as you are (hopefully) keeping on top of it 🙂

Stocking everything up is a must. Adds to stress when you dont have what you need. My downfall is actually stocking the car. Bag is right by the door but i keep forgetting to pick it up! I havent really thought about clean as you go. Normally let house get messy and clean up end of each day! Lazy and stressful

Being organised is definitely the key. I have had packed bathroom bags set aside for travelling for some time and it makes packing so much easier.

Some great ideas! Love the cleaning the shower as you shower! Seems like the only time you get to do it! Also meal planning is a great idea, I spend hours trying to decide on something to have :/

This is a very practice article. I already implement many of our tips, and am about to start implementing the others. Thank you Amanda

My kids and I sit down every week and plan out our menu. They get to choose 2 nights each (I have 2 kids at home) I choose the other 2 and the last night is what we call Leftover or Whatever night. I love this as it saves me from getting to 6pm and the kids saying “Whats for Dinner?” and me replying “Oh, I forgot to get somethnig out so we will have toasted sandwiches or noodles.” Not only is it easier to plan, but also healthier and saves money.

I must say having a menu plan with a white board on the freezer listing the fortnights meals has stopped the nagging ‘what’s for dinner’ cries from the teenagers. All three kids and my husband help with the menu planning and they get to choose their favourite meals as well. Making it easy for me and keeping them happy.

I always try and make sure the nappy bag is packed and stocked up with nappies etc
especially if I know I have to leave early in the morning I even get my sons clothes ready the night before.

Although I have not be so good with it lately, planning out the weeks meals is definitely a great way to save time and stress! I would sit down on a Sunday and plan out the week, write my shopping list and only buy from my list. I would write a list of the meals on the whiteboard and let hubby decide which meal he wanted on any given day. It leaves some room for spontaneity AND helps with the budget too! Also cooking meals with crossover ingredients makes for less food wastage.

I can’t agree more with the first tip! My only other time saving tip is to multi-task exercise into our daily routine, i.e. we jog to the park or the shops instead of driving, or I use the play equipment to workout at the park, so then I’m not in a rush trying to figure out how to fit in some exercise for me at the end of the day.