Smart and convenient solutions for busy consumers

(ARA) - Today's shoppers are more active than ever, and when you're on the go, you probably attempt to keep your schedule as simple and concise as possible. Because time is invaluable these days, keeping errand-running narrowed down to the minimal amount of time and energy needed allows for more time to focus on your business, your family and to enjoy a bit of "me-time."

Here are some smart solutions to help consolidate your daily trips and routines each week so you can capitalize on your free time:

* Schedule and map out your trips. Organize your errand running into one period of the day, and map out the shortest routes needed between stops to save more time and energy. If possible, schedule your tasks during the off hours, like 10 a.m. Tuesday morning or 8 p.m. Thursday night. This allows you to avoid the hectic weekend hours both in the stores and on the roads.

* Bring all family members into the loop. If your family members have smartphones, you can download applications to share a family shopping list electronically. That way if your husband stops by the grocery store on the way home from work, he can quickly access the grocery store shopping list and purchase all the needed items without having to go home, or call everyone first.

* Double up at one stop. If you're a working parent or small business owner, finding time to stop at the post office during open hours can be a challenge. Office Depot is now offering U.S. Postal Service (USPS) shipping products and services at more than 1,083 nationwide stores. This means you can mail packages - anything from Priority Mail to First-Class services - and purchase stamps while shopping for all your essential home office supplies.

"Office Depot is all about helping our customers take care of business, and by providing smart mailing services through the U.S. Postal Service in our stores, customers can enjoy the convenience of shipping while they shop," says Kevin Peters, president of North American Retail for Office Depot. "As an added benefit, Office Depot locations operate with extended business hours, providing an additional level of convenience for business customers and consumers."

* Turn your errand running into family time. Consider taking your spouse or your children with you and make the outing a socializing or educational event. If you don't have children, use the shopping opportunities to catch up on events that happened with your spouse at work. And if you do have children, use the outing as an educational opportunity to show them first hand how the family budget is balanced, ways to shop for healthy eating, looking for good deals, etc.

Try these ideas to expand your free time so you can spend more time with your family or just on your own. Ask your friends and family members if they have other simple solutions they can share with you as well.

Courtesy of ARAcontent