What are your best efficiency hacks?

Game changers. That's how each of us described the things that we've woven into our lives to make ourselves more efficient. As 6 moms with 18 kids combined, there are a lot of balls in the air - constantly. So, any trick we've uncovered that streamlines life a little bit - we're here for it.

Whether that includes grocery delivery, maximizing the time spent in the kitchen or on a sideline, a new computer program or the ever popular coordinated carpool, we each share what helps make our worlds go round - efficiently.

Ali, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

When it comes to efficiency hacks, I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. I truly wouldn’t survive the day-to-day as a mom of three with a busy schedule without two things: weekly meal prep and carpools.

Every Sunday is meal prep time at our house. My husband and I sit down together and plan out and make each dinner for the week. Having a plan takes so much stress off our evenings and helps us make sure we’re eating balanced meals that actually fuel us for this busy season of life. Without it, we’d definitely be grabbing takeout way more than we’d like.

And carpools… seriously, if you’re not doing them, it’s time. Absolute game changer. Fewer trips back and forth, more margin in the day, and honestly a little sanity saved. Best thing ever.

Kim, Home Connoisseur from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

My love for efficiency runs deep. What I've found super helpful is to use blocks of time when my kids are at sports, carpools and to change my phone habits. First, the practice that is too far away to get there, get home and get back - I always bring my laptop. I have three hours a week when I sit at gymnastics, soccer and ultimate ninjas when I put my head down and get some work done. Even with the chaos in the background, I find this time when I can "lock in" as they say. When my daughter has to be at a soccer field 40 minutes before the game starts, I'll walk and catch up on emails before game time.

Carpools with our awesome village might just be the best efficiency hack of all time - don't get me started on the carpool spreadsheet.

Lastly, I'm working on changing my phone habits. I've cut back on social scrolling and am focusing on working my way through a long book, refreshing my Spanish and other more productive tasks. Social media can be such a time suck and I'm doing a better job of setting my own limits.

Jen, Bespoke Travel Planner from @GlobalOnDemandTravel

My biggest efficiency hack has been investing in a new computer program for my travel agency called Tern. It handles payment authorizations, gives clients a beautiful and easy way to access their trip details, make payments when they want, and view insider tips, all while keeping communication in one place.

On my end, it’s been just as powerful. Every email is tied to the correct trip, tasks are tracked automatically, and I can instantly see which trips are incoming, actively being planned, or fully booked. It has completely streamlined my workflow and freed up so much mental space. Truly a game changer.

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

I make dinner most nights, which means at least an hour in the kitchen from start to finish. I used to try to do other things while cooking - help with homework, fold laundry, get some work done. Now, my mantra is stay in the kitchen (which sounds very unfeminist of me!) In between checking on what’s in the oven or stove top, I’m picking things up, getting coffee ready for the morning, washing dishes as I go, or packing lunches. That way, when dinner is done, I can focus on the kids and the time we have together before bedtime.

I also tend to stay at my desk too long. In order to move my body more, I plan short breaks to do laundry, take the dog for a walk, or make lunch. That way, I can ignore the chore when I need to be working, but focus on it when I need a break.

It might be simple, but it helps me feel efficient, not distracted!

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

Routine and flexibility are the real magic combo for me. There are a few things I treat as sacred—my workouts and how I nourish myself—but beyond that, I try to stay adaptable. That mindset alone makes me more efficient because I’m not constantly fighting reality.

On a practical level, systems save my life:

• carpool Google Sheets

• endless group texts

• grocery delivery

• a cleaning lady every two weeks

• everything (appointments, sports, life) living on my phone calendar

• meal planning every Sunday

Those things keep the chaos manageable. But here’s the part I think matters most: if a planned dinner doesn’t happen, I don’t spiral. I know how to feed my family well without perfection.

At this stage of life, hacks are helpful—but letting go of what doesn’t actually matter is the real efficiency upgrade. Less pressure, more presence, way less burnout.

Emilee, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

Best Efficiency Hacks? Grocery delivery! It is the only way I shop (otherwise I would be at the store daily!). Also, my kids becoming older and more self sufficient has been a game changer (hello putting on your own sports gear without mom and dads help).

I was using grocery pickup service before Covid made it popular. After Covid, I continue to still lean on this service, but now typically use grocery delivery. I find this so helpful in keeping our house stocked.

Costco overwhelms me and I don’t like to shop at multiple grocery stores. I pick one store that I know will have everything I need and shop exclusively there. I set up grocery delivery and meal prep with the app open; knocking it out at the same time. I know …I know …but I only have so much mental energy to give to this so streamlining and simplifying is everything these days.

My kids are getting older and more self sufficient. Although most days I still think they need to take more responsibility, I have the freedom to take on more because my kids are doing it themselves. Of course each of my kids are so different (pretty sure my 7 year old will be running the house in a few years), I think back to the baby/toddler days and how everything they needed fell to me.

All in all though, simple is always best you know? The two areas I mention aren’t anything profound, however they have simplified our routine and demands on our time as parents.

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What are your best efficiency hacks?