Save time by combining tasks

We’re a society of no time. It seems we’re always running out. My first suggestion would be to buy less stuff and work less, but some of use do that anyhow, and still run short (trust me, I’m one of them). To save time choose tasks that can be combined, such as:

Clean the bathroom while your child has his bath. You have to be in there anyhow (with a young child) so why just sit; clean that bathroom. I actually will also blog (i.e. work) while my son baths (thanks to the magic of laptops), but you could mend clothes or clip coupons too.

Do a sit-down task if your child needs homework help. My son is unschooling and the only school he attends is also unschooling, so no homework, but he does like to draw or work on projects with me around. When he doesn’t need my full attention I switch over to planning the budget or writing the grocery list.

Never go out for just one thing. By this I mean go out once for more than one errand. Drop books off at the library and then go shopping. Every time you have to start up the car for one trip only, it wastes time; not to mention gas.

Load and unload the dishwasher while you cook dinner. Or pack your child’s lunch for the next day.

I hate to admit this, because my friends and family might flip, but I return phone calls as I pay the bills online sometimes. If someone really needs my attention, yeah I stop bill paying, but often I’m clicking those bills off as I chat.

What tasks do you combine to save time?