How to Hack Your Errands

This how to hack your errands post has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #RefreshinglyHonestSnacks #CollectiveBias

Make a List

I keep a running list of things I need to buy and do in the notes section of my phone that way I can consult it regularly and cross things off the list as I encounter them in my everyday comings and goings. Once the weekend hits, I try to cross off any remaining items in one errands trip. Be sure to include where you need to buy or do the things on your list. Equally important to making the list is sticking to it! Granted, we all come across things we forgot we needed but try to minimize those instances if you're sticking to a budget.

Plan Your Route

Don't go in circles (literally)! Look at the places on your list and mentally map them out so that you aren't wasting gas and time by visiting the same areas more than once. Group your stops so that you hit up retailers or businesses within the same shopping strip in one fell swoop. It's also helpful to make all the stops you need on one side of a street before crossing to the other. This minimizes time and frustration spent crossing intersections and medians.

Go During Off-Peak Hours

Rush hour and weekend afternoons are the busiest times to run errands. "Late nights and early mornings" is more than just a textgram people post on social media. 🙂 These are great times to hit up the grocery store because it's less crowded, meaning shorter checkout lines and more available parking spaces. Google Maps will show you how busy an establishment is hour by hour. Of course, take your safety and surroundings into account, especially after dark.

Use Reusable Shopping Bags

These are a life-saver when you're trying to carry every. single. thing. into the house on ONE trip. Not only are reusable bags better for the environment than paper or plastic, they are so handy for all errands--not just groceries. You can consolidate all of your purchases from different stops into a few of these as they're pretty strong and come in many different sizes. I've got a mini collection of them from various events and stocking up at Kroger. Keep them in your trunk for easy access wherever you go. On another bag-related note, go hands-free with a cross-body or shoulder bag to make things easier!

Have Errand Fuel

Have you ever completed a massive grocery run only to stop at a drive-thru on your way home? Or maybe you went shopping while hungry and grabbed something not so waistline-friendly at the checkout? This hack is a simple one but will save you from those things: have some "errand fuel" to keep you going until you get home! Honest Tea® and Simple Truth® trail mix are great options because you can keep them on hand to grab and go, in your car cup holder or even buy them while out and about without feeling guilty. Honest Teas are just a tad sweet, which is exactly how I like them. I also like the Simple Truth curry cashews. Since September was Organic Month, I thought this would be a good time to share these on-the-go snacks with y'all. 🙂 I purchased my Honest Tea at my local Kroger and you can find them along with Organic Simple Truth snacks in the natural foods section.

I hope this is helpful information for how to hack your errands. Please share any tips that work for you in the comments section, plus check out more #refreshinglyhonest inspiration here! Thanks for reading!

P.S. More life hacks: Flower Hacks, Corporate Health Hacks, Meal Prepping 101, First-Time Homebuyer Tips, Closet Organization

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