What Can You Put on Auto Pilot to Boost Work/Family Balance?

If you have decided that improving work/family balance is a priority in your life, look for ways to automate routine processes and tasks that take up time in your weekly schedule. You can use the time you save to increase your focus on what you have decided needs more attention in your life.

Pay your bills online. Just about any bank or credit union today offers online bill pay. Make sure to understand any delays surrounding when funds are deducted from your account to when each bill will be paid. There is often a 3-5 day lag, so pay attention when you set up your due dates to make sure you’re covered. You’ll save time and money (no more stamps) each month.

Use your mail order pharmacy. If you or someone in your family has a recurring prescription each month, check with your insurance company on mail delivery of the needed medication. You can have a few months delivered to your home or office.  And using mail delivery will often get you a better deal on the price for each package compared to making a monthly trip to your local pharmacy.

Shop online. What simple shopping errands do you have that could be ordered online? Next time you need a new alarm clock, a basketball for the kids or a new set of coffee cups for the kitchen at the office, have the needed item shipped right to your door. Compare the extra cost of shipping to the time you save and the money you would spend on gas and you should come out ahead.

Try a grocery delivery service. Many grocery stores offer home delivery service. You’ll need to provide a delivery window (for example, between 9 am and 12 pm) so plan your delivery to correspond with times when you’ll be home doing other things. Start with smaller orders so you can learn your store’s system and what to expect. Pay attention to quantities and sizes so you get the right items and you’ll soon have someone else carrying the groceries right to your door.

Use your smartphone to make waiting productive. Look for small bits of time you can win back that were less productive in the past with a smartphone. Use the time you spend waiting in the doctor’s office or standing in line at the bank to clear out a few extra emails.

Learn how to use your DVR. If you never jumped on the TiVo bandwagon, look into getting a digital video recorder (DVR) from your cable or satellite company that will record your favorite TV shows and let you watch them when it is convenient for your schedule.

What automated tricks have you used to save time in your weekly schedule? Let us know in the comments!