Everyone has errands to run...supermarket, post office, library, dry cleaner, office supplies store, hardware store, etc. and running these errands takes valuable time in our day. Being organized when running errands save time and fuel. Here are 6 stress-free ways to get them done fast.

1. Make a schedule. Plan to do your errands each week on consistent days and schedule them in your calendar. For instance, you might return borrowed items (library books) on Mondays, go grocery shopping on Tuesdays, go to the post office and the dry cleaner on Wednesdays, etc. With a consistent schedule each week, you'll always know what's coming up and you will be able to easily plan the remainder of each day.

2. What's on the way? If some of your errand destinations are within a few miles of each other, try to consolidate those errands into one car trip. For instance, if the craft store and the fish market are both right near your child's daycare center, perhaps you can pick up whatever you need after dropping your kids off at the center, or before picking them up.

3. Call ahead. Whenever you can, call ahead (or reserve on the web site or phone app). When we want a sandwich from Subway or a Starbucks coffee, we order on the phone app and pick it up when it's ready. No standing in line. When we're not sure if a store has a particular product in stock, we call and ask before driving all the way there and sometimes finding out they don't have it.

4. Make a list. Whenever you have to run one or several errands, make a list so nothing is forgotten. Your list should look something like this:
--pick up Jenny and Anna
--buy milk
--pick up library books
--get fuel
You can use simple pen and paper to do this, or an app on your phone (I use an app called Paperless) if you prefer.

5. Avoid the crowds. We steer clear of our post office from noon until 2:00 as we know they will be busy at that time and we'll have to wait in line. We avoid malls on Saturdays. I don't go anywhere near our supermarket on a Sunday morning...lines are long. If your time is important to you, learn when the crowds are present and go during less busy times.

6. Tote it. Leave a tote bag on the back of the door (the one you use to go into and out of your house most often) and drop anything into it that you need with you when you run your errands, such as books that have to be returned, the dry cleaner slip, a plate you have to return to a friend, etc. When you're ready to run your errands, just grab the bag and leave.

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___ 1. Do today's task on my December Monthly Organizing Checklist. The December 28 TO DO focuses on surfaces in your home or office. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my December Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Determine busy times. Figure out what the busiest times are in your supermarket, grocery store, airport, etc. Make a note of these days and times and try to go to them when you're not going to be navigating through crowds, waiting in line, etc.

___ 3. Don't forget to use your gift cards. Some $750 million in gift cards go unused. In fact, American households have an average of $300 in unused cards...somewhere. Visit: GetOrganizedNow.com to access my Quick Tip, titled, 'Save money...gift cards often get lost or forgotten before they are used.'

'I walk wherever my errands take me.' (Rebecca Solnit)

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