Social media, instant messaging, commutes, family duties (especially for parents), and demanding jobs have made free time scarce in recent years.
Contents 1 The scarcity of available time 2 5 tips for saving time on a daily basis 2.1 1) Streamline mobile use 2.2 2) Make good use of schedules and to-do lists 2.3 3) Do your steps online 2.4 4) Optimize grocery shopping 2.5 5) Optimize shoppingYet every day still offers 24 hours. As parents of two young children in Île-de-France, we've mastered organization to make it work. Here's how you can save time daily.
Long commutes to work eat into our days, leaving little time for special moments with the kids during the week. Weekends and school holidays provide welcome relief!
In reality, free time is about priorities and smart organization—we all get the same 24 hours.
Smartphones are lifesavers (GPS, calls, camera) but huge time sinks (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, games).
Ready to take control? These are the strategies that work for our family.
Young French people average 4 hours daily on their phones. Over 16 waking hours (assuming 8 for sleep), that's a quarter of your day!
Start by tracking usage. On Android, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls:
iPhones have Screen Time. See app breakdowns and total time. Disable notifications from time-wasters—it's a game-changer.
As parents, we also use parental controls for our kids' devices.
Plan tasks on paper: to-do lists in a weekly or monthly planner. Skip digital versions to avoid phone distractions. Crossing off completed items feels amazing! 😊
Handle admin online to save trips—sites like vos-demarches.com simplify paperwork. Track bank accounts, utilities, insurance digitally. Even print postage stamps from home.
Ditch weekly store runs (2-3 hours lost). Use drive-thru pickup or delivery—same prices, more time. Supplement monthly with local markets or veggie boxes if needed.
For in-store fans, organize lists by aisle to shop faster and stick to essentials, saving time and money. This helps prevent burnout (cf: article on maternal burnout).
Skip window-shopping: order online from brands or family bundle sites. It's efficient for everyone's needs.
