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Running Errands

Saving Time While Running Errands

Running errands really gets under my skin. It’s probably in my opinion one of the biggest time wasters. I really get frustrated with myself when I buy things that I really don’t need or love and then have to return them. I try to be very careful when shopping so that I don’t have to spend the time returning items. But alas, with the holiday season is here and one day last week, I had about ten places I had to visit for one reason or another.   

Of course I had receipts, items to return, checks for the bank, my watch which needed a battery and many more little random things to get done. All the little items were driving me nuts and if you’re ever met me, you know I just want to get things done and crossed off my list. I don’t like things “hanging out there” to get done.  So here was my plan of attack.

1. List every place I had to drive to on a post it note. Then tape it to a paper shopping bag.

2. Next I filled the bag with all my items and receipts and coupons. Off I went on my errands. As I finished each errand I’d cross off that store on my list.

3. I mapped out my route to hit as many places a possible in one general area in minimize all the driving around. Office Max, Kohl’s, Container Store, and Origins were all in close proximity. My next errand area included the watch store and bank. My final store and shopping area included Target, Jewel and AT&T stores.

4. Finally, I couldn’t fit in my third shopping area because I ran out of time. So I hit those three stores another time. I left my little shopping bag and list in the car ready to go.

The biggest compliment to this errand running system was when the Container Store lady working the cash register noticed my system because she saw my list and shopping bag. She thought it was a great idea, organized plan of attack and that someone should patent and invent a product like that. Anyone out there want to invent something like that? We could do it together.

Hope you have a great week returns Christmas gifts and running errands!

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