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10.) ...which leads me to my next time-saving tip. I keep a scrubbie of some heft in the tub, or nearby under the sink, and once I've done a quick swipe of the sink, counter, and toilet, I attack the tub with my scrubbie and cleaner while my kids are bathing. I use non-toxic cleaners, so it doesn't hurt them to have a little in the bathwater.

11.) Lunches are a common downfall. If I didn't have little children who demand food, or if I weren't breastfeeding and thus, ravenously hungry every two hours, I would just skip lunch. But that's not an option, and yeah, yeah, it's really not that healthy either. I simplify by making up a big batch of something like tuna salad, egg salad, pasta salad, beans and rice, or the like. I eat a bit alongside my salad, the kids get some, and I often pack the same in my husband's lunch bag if we don't have any better-looking leftovers.

12.) I love gardening, but I'm not real great with house plants. Usually because I forget they exist. They die slow, painful deaths. I've kept one orchid alive for the last three years, though, because I just randomly toss a couple of ice cubes on it. No walking around with a watering can, dripping on the rug and the table. I've been so successful with my orchid, maybe I'll add an aloe plant or something just for kicks.

13.) I'm obsessed with food, I see as I begin to write yet another time-saving tip involving food. Well, food is a big part of life, especially when you have kids. Or when you like to eat. Or when your husband likes to eat. Or all of the above. Snacks. Kids love snacks. So this is something else I try to do ahead of time; either divvying up individual portions of pretzels and trail mix for something easy to grab and distribute (also great for taking with you out of the house) or just slicing up a couple of apples when I make breakfast (toss with a squirt of lemon juice and they don't turn brown).

14.) I like sweeping but I despise dusting. In order to make dusting as painless (read: quick) as possible, I have cut my shelf-top clutter to a minimum. I used to have a whole row of family photos on my mantle. Now I have one. It looks better, too.

15.) Two time-savers for dinner (yes, another food-related tip, sorry): I always keep pasta in the pantry and fish in the freezer, preferably a thin filet like tilapia. Fish cooks up in about 10 to 15 minutes, the amount of time it will take for you to cook some pasta. Season fish with garlic salt, pepper, maybe some dill and a squeeze of lemon. Toss the pasta with a can of diced tomatoes and some shaved parmesan, or pre-made sauce, or just garlic and butter. Look at that. Add that big bowl of salad that's already made and you have a complete meal in minutes. "Oh, yeah, honey, I planned that..."