Early for pickup? Friend running late? Let Barclays know how you make the most of an unexpected 5 minutes downtime out of the house, for your chance to win a £200 John Lewis voucher - NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Barclays say "It's happened to all of us - you're out and about and you find yourself with some unexpected free time on your hands - you're a few minutes early for pickup, or one of the kids is bravely allowing a hairdresser to trim their locks."

"We're putting together the ultimate list of tips to maximise lost moments throughout the day, to celebrate two ingenious apps from Barclays: the Barclays Mobile Banking app, which lets you manage your finances when you are out and about; and Barclays Pingit, an app that lets you send and receive money using just a mobile number."

So they are asking, what do you do with that time? How do you make the most of the moments and once they have all added up, what would you spend an extra hour on a week?

Let us know your thoughts on this thread - everyone who adds a comment before the closing date of 15th July 2013 will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 John Lewis voucher. Please note your anonymous submitted tips may well be used on the Barclays pages on MN as well as possibly elsewhere.

Thanks
MNHQ

[Theimpossiblegirl]

I so rarely get to read for pleasure since having children that I've taken to carrying my Kindle about with me. When I get an unexpected 5 minutes you will find me enjoying a good book.

[Numberlock]

Mumsnetting of course!

[Lotkinsgonecurly]

I mumsnet or check my emails.

[squeaver]

Interesting that Barclays don't seem to think that anyone on Mumsnet has a job.

[mindingalongtime]

Read, read, read. I use to always have my head in a book, and read a book a day, now I'm lucky if I read one a week now. So I take y opportunity and carry my kindle with me wherever I go.

Just seen that theimpossiblegirl feels the same way!

[starfishmummy]

I suppose it depends where I am, if I am sitting somewhere nice I will get my knitting out. Otherwise I would check on emails and mumsnet!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It depends wher I am. If I'm outdoors I might do a spot of weeding otherwise I fritter my time away on fb or texting a friend or I've usually got some sudoku on the go.

[MirandaWest]

Probably mumsnet tbh. Or look at FB and wonder why my life has so much less excitement in it than the majority of people on my news feed

[OrganixAddict]

Enjoy the silence! Or check my emails & try and get a bit of work done.

If I had a whole hour, I'd like to think i'd read a good book in a nice cafe but a trashy magazine is more likely tbh.

[aftereight]

Catch up on texts and emails on my phone in any spare 5 mins.
Ignoring the fact that it would take 20 of these unusual occurences per week to make up one hour of spare time, I would spend my hour reading a magazine or having a lie in.

[MimsyBorogroves]

I'm another who turns on the kindle during any spare minute or two that might be available.

[Schumann]

I take the opportunity to listen to radio 4 in peace - it's a very rare occurrence these days!

[LaVitaBellissima]

A the moment reading Game of Thrones in hefty book form, I haven't succumbed to a Kindle yet

[manfalou]

I check emails or listen to some adult music.. not Jake and the neverland pirates!

[whattodoo]

Catch up on calls, emails or texts. Or update my online shop.

If I had an hour, I'd start to work through the huge pile of paperwork that sits constantly on my sideboard.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Generally checking mumsnet and facebook.

[Bumpstarter]

Meal plan and Make a shopping list.

Send a few texts.

Feel the sunshine on my face and breathe air.

[Bumpstarter]

If I had a whole hour I would hot foot It to the DIY shop to buy myself a sun lounger so I could do more of the feeling the strength of the sun thing.

[Queen0fFeckingEverything]

Oh, if in the car I lean the seat back and enjoy a few minutes of Radio 4 without anyone whining that its not Thomas the flipping Tank Engine

Its bliss

[JedwardScissorhands]

I get the baby wipes out and clean the car interior, and clear my handbag and purse out. Really.

[scripsi]

If with DCs who are going through a cuddly phase then they would unilaterally decide to climb on me. They are boys and I am saving up the cuddles before they get too cool.

If I had a whole hour a week I would spend it having a snooze!

[SpottySlippers]

Review my diary - adding all the things I have buzzing around my head!

[SisterMatic]

I like to read or listen to some music,music can really uplift me if I am flagging during the day.
if I had one childfree hour I would spend it sat with a book and a hot..not lukewarm..not cold..cup of tea. Perfect.