Becoming a mom doesn’t come with a set of instructions. There’s no universal playbook for balancing endless to-do lists, school runs, meal prep, personal time (what’s that again?), and everything else life throws at us. Yet, many of us try to do it all and often end up feeling scattered and overwhelmed. But here’s the good news: With a little advanced planning and intention, you can start making the most of both your time and your family budget.
While we may focus on being frugal with money, what about being frugal with our most valuable resource—time? Time and money are two of the biggest juggling acts we face as moms. Just like being cautious with how we spend money, being mindful of how we use our time can bring a sense of control and calm. Time management doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself or all at once. With small, intentional steps, you can create a routine that helps you avoid burnout and focus on what really matters.
How to Reclaim a Little Breathing Room
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking everything is up to you. But the truth is, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. Sharing the workload with your kids (and when possible, your husband) can make a world of difference. Whether it’s getting them involved in chores, organizing their own things, or even helping with meal prep, delegation is key to easing the mental load.
Here’s how to shift your mindset and make your day easier:
You Don’t Have to Do It All at Once
When life feels like a whirlwind of tasks, it’s easy to think you need to tackle everything at once. But that’s a surefire way to get overwhelmed. Instead, allow yourself to take things one step at a time. Focus on what’s most urgent and break things into manageable chunks using your favorite time management technique. This helps you avoid the paralysis of feeling like you’re juggling too many things at once. The truth is, progress doesn’t always require perfection—small, intentional steps get you closer to your goals, bit by bit.
You Don’t Have to Do It All Yourself
Delegating doesn’t just make your life easier—it empowers your kids and your partner to be part of the team. Kids can handle more than we think. Even young children can set the table, help fold laundry, or pick up their own toys. Plus, giving them responsibilities instills a sense of teamwork and accountability. The more you share the workload, the lighter your load becomes.
Some Things You Don’t Need to Do (and That’s Okay)
A little bit of planning and prioritization can go a long way. One approach I use when life feels chaotic is to make a list of everything that needs to get done. The first time I did this, I was sipping my morning coffee, and as I wrote out the list, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Just getting everything out of my head and onto paper made it all feel more manageable.
Next, I categorized each task. I put an “A” next to the items I needed to accomplish that day, a “B” next to things that could wait but still needed to be done soon, and a “C” for tasks that could wait for a week or more. Finally, I gave some things a “D”—tasks that weren’t necessary. Eliminating those felt like a breath of fresh air.
This simple act of prioritizing helped me feel more in control and less overwhelmed. By identifying what truly needs to be done and letting go of the rest, I saved both time and energy, which helped me focus on what matters most.
How to Save Time and Money Doing Laundry
Laundry can feel like an endless cycle—quite literally. Many moms I know skip sorting laundry altogether to save time, tossing everything in together. While it speeds things up in the short term, it can lead to worn-out clothes, color bleeding, and even damaged fabrics, which costs money in the long run. But don’t worry—you can save time and money with a few tweaks to your laundry routine.
Ways to Save Time:
- Use separate bins for sorting: Instead of using a clothes hamper, invest in kitchen garbage bins with flip tops to sort laundry as you go. Label them “whites,” “dark,” “medium,” and “towels.” When you toss clothes in, they’re already sorted for washing! This eliminates an extra step when it’s time to do laundry.
- Ditch the laundry basket: Instead of using a laundry basket, I started folding clothes immediately after they’re dry (most of the time). I then deposit each person’s folded clothes on their bed for them to put away. This saves me time from ironing or reheating clothes to get the wrinkles out, and it eliminates the mountain of laundry I used to dread folding.
How It Saves Money: By folding immediately after the load finishes, I avoid re-warming the clothes or having to buy wrinkle-release sprays or extra electricity for drying. Plus, by preventing fabric damage through sorting, I extend the life of my clothes. You can also make your own laundry soap to save even more.
How Making a Menu Saves Time and Money
We all know that meal planning is a lifesaver, but it’s especially useful when you’re trying to juggle both a busy schedule and a tight family budget. Along with coupons and bulk meal prep, a well-thought-out menu can streamline your grocery shopping and reduce stress in the kitchen.
How It Saves Time:
- One trip to the store: When you create a weekly menu and grocery list, you only need to visit the store once a week. This minimizes multiple trips to the store, saving time and stress. Plus, if you plan meals based on what’s on sale, you can stock up on great deals without worrying about missing key ingredients.
- Fewer distractions: Having a meal plan means you won’t be wandering around the store wondering what to buy, leading to fewer impulse purchases and more focused shopping.
How It Saves Money on Your Family Budget:
- Less food waste: Planning leftovers for lunches and dinners helps reduce food waste and ensures that you’re getting the most out of every meal.
- Sticking to your list: When you create a list based on your menu, you’re less likely to buy items you don’t need, saving money in the long run.
- Bulk buying: If you can purchase items in bulk, you save even more money by not needing to buy small quantities repeatedly.
Benefits of Planning and Prioritizing
By planning ahead and prioritizing what matters, you can ease the pressures of balancing your time and family budget. Whether it’s delegating tasks at home, making a laundry routine work for you, or using a grocery list to cut down on unnecessary expenses, every small change you make will add up to less stress and more time for the things that matter most.
