29 Time-Savers for Spring

If it suddenly seems like the days got a little longer for everyone but you, then consider rethinking your time management strategy. Here's how you can recover lost minutes in the shower, at the airport and before a night out!

In the Morning

1. Prep the coffee machine the night before or get one with an automatic timer.

2. Try two-in-one shower gel/shampoo to cut shower time. If you are a man and want to avoid a strong fragrance, the experts at Menessentials.com suggest Acca Kappa's cedar shower shampoo or Jack Black All-Over Wash, a 3-in-1 shampoo, face and body wash.

3. When getting ready, save wet hair for last. The longer you leave it to air dry out the less time it will take to blow dry.

4. Get an online subscription to your favorite newspaper or set up alerts so you can read news on demand without making the stop at the newsstand.

5. Place your daily check-in calls during your commute.

6. To quicken the commute, leave before rush hour and have breakfast at your desk.

At The Office

7. Keep a single-serve coffee machine at your desk to eliminate multiple Starbucks runs.

8. Place lunch orders by phone to avoid pick-up waits.

9. To reduce talk time, instant message colleagues rather then calling or heading over to their desk.

10. Have an extra set of clothes, keys and personal items at the office so you don't have to go home before a last minute event or mishap.

11. When trying to locate files, folders and other programs, try Google Desktop rather than Windows Explorer.

12. Use a book marking function, or a service like del.icio.us, to keep track of web sites and reduce search time.

13. If you have not already done so, learn the keyboard shortcuts for your favorite software programs or simply print them up and keep them above your desk.

In the Evening

14. Avoid long lines at the gym by getting there in off peak hours later in the evening.

15. When in need of a quick shower or changing room, stop into the gym or your local Starbucks rather than trekking all the way back home.

16. If you are stuck waiting to be seated at a restaurant, start off with an appetizer at the bar, as chances are your table will be ready by the time you are done with the first course.

17. If you cannot get the reservation you want at opentable.com, try again on Thursdays. According to an article posted in the Wall Street Journal, that is the day many spots open up as cancellations get put back into the system before the weekend.

On the Go

18. To avoid bottlenecks at the airport, check vacancy rates at your local airport parking lot online before you leave the house.

19. Don't want to wait to claim your luggage? The LuggageClub.com will send it there in advance.

20. Keep in mind that early morning and late afternoon are peak flight times so try to book at alternate times of the day.

21. Wait until the very end to board the plane. Those extra minutes can sometimes buy you a half an hour of personal time.

22. Reserve your golf game online at TeeTimesLive.com so you don't have to wait for a telephone attendant at a busy golf shop.

Cleaning

23. Use a Wet Swiffer to wipe down tile walls rather than a mop and pail; Put a dry Swiffer to the test on more than just the floor by dusting tables and electronics with it.

24. When scrubbing dishes, a fresh lemon is the fastest and most effective way to eliminate lingering odors.

25. To automatically remove screen dust from electronic, spray Static Guard on a soft cloth and wipe the computer or television screen.

26. Keep baby wipes on hand for fast stain removal.

27. Wiping down bathroom sinks and mirrors with disinfectant cleaning wipes while brushing your teeth will save on scrubbing later.

In The Kitchen

28. Save time finding and cutting coupons by registering at MyGroceryDeals.com, where you can find and print savings and coupons for stores in your area.

29. Try a two-handed mezzaluna rocking knife for fine chopping, its much quicker than a regular knife.