What shortcuts do you take daily to make your life easier?

[TwinklyGoldReader]

Just that really, what hacks/short cuts do you use daily to make your life easier? We have a newborn and toddler at home, so even the smallest tricks are welcome!

Prepare breakfast the night before. Overnight oats with fruit and seeds etc. I also do things like grind my coffee. Not much but it helps a bit

Slow cooker meals that last two nights

Meal prep
frozen veggies- sliced onions, peppers, frozen crushed garlic - cheaper than fresh and they are a lifesaver

not exactly a short cut (and you won’t need this yet if your dc are still little) but if you can can afford it, get enough school uniform for a clean change every day, and enough PE kit so you only need to wash at weekends. When mine were at nursery they could have a nursery sweatshirt and they were a godsend too, no fuss about what to wear and a fresh one every day

a robot vacuum

Not really shortcuts as you still need to do the prep to start with but I make a big tupperware box full of salad and boil the whole bag of potatoes and keep them in the fridge.
I can get a quick meal with some cooked meat or avocado in minutes when needed.

I definitely need to prep breakfast the night before- I’m terrible at remembering to eat it at all!

Will check out some slow cooker recipes too.

Robot vacuums for upstairs and downstairs

Saves me so much time

I second the robot vac. Ours can mop too.

organise everything.

when I go to bed I leave a nappy mat out in our changing area with nappy/wipes/cream and an outfit for the morning

meal prepping. DH cooks twice a week and it’s enough to last us all. Usually cooks on a Sunday then again in a wed or Thursday. Everything goes in the fridge labelled.

with a newborn when I was nursing i had a cart set up next to my bed with snacks and water for me, muslins, wipes, mini fridge etc just for my own comfort

I was this year old before I realised you don’t HAVE to shower either first thing when you wake up, or last thing at night. Both are a complete pain in the arse as either I end up taking a full half an hour to dry my hair and style it while rushing to get everyone out the door, or I have to do it all before going to bed when I’m knackered or sleep with damp hair.

Now I just shower whenever is convenient each day (if I’m working from home then on my lunch break, or if I’m in the office, as soon as I get home from work).

Use tumble drier more than I should
buy pasta sauce
porridge sachets (fewer microwave disasters)
Only wear clothes that don’t need ironing (unless a shirt essential)
Radically accept some screentime
we used disposable nappies
our garden is a mess majority of the time
get a cleaner if you can afford one

When you can…
Cook once, big pot and Fill the freezer with extra meals - pasta sauces, Dahl, chilli

Online food delivery, woth I buy every week saved under favourites

Say no to things I don't want to do (especially with young children)

Don't faff about selling stuff on Vinted unless you really need the money or have higher value items

Use timers on washing machine / dishwasher so you're never waiting for the bloody thing to finish

I take out mugs and teabags for the morning and put a coffee pod in the coffee maker. Check the kettle has enough water. It’s a tiny thing but it helps in the morning.

I decide what I’m going to wear the night before.

I have only the same two days a week when I clean properly and wash clothes, iron etc, so I don’t have to get stressed if things aren’t perfect the rest of the week.

I live alone so have no need for a full sized dishwasher, however I HATE washing up so bought myself a table top one that I run once a day. Indulgent I know, but it makes me so happy.

@LasVegassthe mugs/teabags is so simple but so smart!

Order a Gousto box weekly so I don’t have to think about what is for dinner every day/meal plan for the week.

Make my breakfast and lunch for work the evening before.

Wash my hair the night before work. Then, I just have to style (curl) it in the morning.

Lay my work clothes out the evening before, including underwear and socks/tights so there’s no faffing in the morning.

Make sure my bag is packed the night before, so all I need to add in the morning is my phone.

Before bed: overnight yoghurt with chia, make lunch for work. Dishwasher on, clean down surfaces, sweep floor. Leave sitting room tidy.

Get up early enough to eat my breakfast and drink my coffee at a leisurely pace( I am 55 with adult DDs and only one at home) so I really appreciate this time now I have the house to myself by 7am.

I always cook from scratch daily but have started to buy frozen chopped onion, frozen garlic and ginger cubes.

I always tidy as I go- probably the main thing on keeping on top of things.

But cut yourself some serious slack while mothering little ones especially if you’re working.

We had a slimline dishwasher for a few years, family of 5. I loved that, used it fully. Whereas now I have a full sized one, 2 kids left home, and I hate having to look inside and take out my favourite knife, or whatever, as it’s not loaded enough to set it going.

Have a place for things so you get in the habit of putting them there and can find them there when needed - I’m talking keys, gym pass, sunglasses, chargers, etc

Hang all tops up straight from the washing machine

Use the timer on the washing machine to time a wash load to end when it’ll be most convenient

family calendar

Stack of birthday cards and wrapping paper pre-bought

Amazon prime

Swimming stuff all in one place

As the kids get older teach them to sort their own stuff - pe bag, putting away laundry, dirty clothes in washing bin, making their own beds

Also, when getting things ready the night before, it doesn't have to be done just before you go to bed, just sort stuff whenever it's convenient, for some it may be as soon as you get in or whilst the evening meal is cooking.

I had a present box when the DC were young so that presents for friends’ parties once they were at school didn’t end up causing a panicked trip out to get something. They enjoyed choosing what they wanted to give their friend from the ‘present box’. I bought up lots of suitable things in sales.

Most of my tips are to ease the brain noise as I perform better in life if my brain is peaceful.

I take supplements and prescription meds and found a dosette box saves time and stops me forgetting or skipping taking them.

I fill my car tank with fuel when it gets half full. That way I’m never panicking about running out, or risk running on fumes and I always have enough for a last minute emergency journey.

I have Amazon subscription set up for things I buy regularly e.g. dog food, dog treats, poo bags, some kitchen items and beauty products. It eases that mental load knowing I’ve got those regulars covered. (I only buy what’s cheaper at Amazon than elsewhere but subscribing to multiple things earns a discount too).

I use an app called Lists to do and within that make my own lists. I have a list for things that need doing to the house from little stuff like WD40 the locks to replace kitchen window. I have 60 things listed (nothing urgent) but it gets it out of my head!

I make my breakfast and lunch for work in the evening and put the dishwasher on before I go to bed, sort my bag out with my keys and work boots so I’m not looking for them in the morning .

Stock up on generic birthday cards and stamps.

Cook once, eat twice. No turning bolognese into chilli or lasagne for day 2, no freezing and thawing, just eat the same dinner 2 nights in a row, or swap eg potatoes for rice. This also saves quite a lot of money and shopping time as you're working from a shorter list.

Don't give the baby toast for breakfast. Then if you're having an off day they can have bread/toast for both lunch and dinner and it's not the end of the world.

Simply Cook once a week or so.

Keep 2 boxes in the bottom of baby's wardrobe, one for outgrown clothes and one for next size up, ready & waiting. Nappy boxes are perfect if you are using disposables.

Cook enough to last four days.

Why haven’t I thought about doing the ‘cook for 2 days’ thing before???? Such a brilliant idea, I don’t likee cooking, this would save me so much work and time! Thanks a million!

I've switched from using an Aeropress for coffee to a drip filter. I set it up before I go to bed.