Save Time and Money by Batching These 4 Tasks

Picture this. A close coworker just got engaged and you want to prepare a quick card before work to congratulate her.

Scenario A: You rush your morning routine because you need to squeeze in a Target run. You shuffle through the aisles looking for a thoughtful card and pay. You get to work 15 minutes late, stressed and cranky.

Scenario B: You pick a card from your card stash (with options of Happy Birthday cards, general blank cards, and Congrats cards) you have neatly stashed away in your closet. You take 5 minutes to write a heartfelt note and pack it with you for work. You arrive on time, de-stressed, but feeling accomplished for taking the time to make your coworker feel special.

How can you make sure you are that version of Scenario B? One word: batching.

What is batching? 

Batching is completing similar tasks in bulk or buying in bulk. For instance, a recipe will typically make a batch of cookies (yielding many cookies) instead of just one cookie. You are already using up the same ingredients, getting the same dishes dirty, and putting in the effort so why not get more cookies out of it?

Why is batching beneficial?

• Reduces decision fatigue: According to the NIH, the average American adult makes 35,000 decisions a day, which can lead to decision fatigue. Decision fatigue is the impaired ability to make decisions and control behavior due to an overload of decisions. To combat this, automating or eliminating decisions can lighten the load and prevent decision fatigue.

• Increases productivity: Batching tasks helps improve productivity by encouraging focus on similar tasks and avoiding distractions. For example, if you decide to batch scheduling during the last hour of your Friday workday for the following week, you will find that you can jump right into work Monday morning, rather than scrambling to see what needs to get done. 

• Saves time and money: In many cases, you can save yourself time and money, like gas money, by opting to do one large trip to the grocery store instead of daily grocery runs.

It's not to say that you have to batch EVERYTHING because it can be enjoyable to go to Walgreens/Target once in a while. Who doesn’t love a Target run, where you can sip on some Starbucks coffee, and stroll through the Magnolia Hearth and Home section?

The 4 ideas below are to inspire you to find ways in your life that can be simplified by batching. Time is precious so let’s protect it by implementing batching into our daily lives:

1. Buy birthday cards/gift bags in bulk for the year.

Birthdays and celebrations happen every year, but somehow, catch most of us by surprise. One way to avoid going to the store every time you have a birthday or event coming up is by buying bulk cards, gift bags, and tissue paper. The key is to get a variety of cards - including blank cards when you want to thank or congratulate someone, rather than wish Happy Birthday.

2. Batch similar work tasks like email.

Although it can be tempting to have your email inbox open indefinitely throughout your work day, a better alternative is to batch this task by defining certain times of the day you will open your inbox and respond to emails. 

For example, as soon as you walk into the office, 30 minutes before lunch,  and 30 minutes before leaving. This will help improve your productivity because it will allow you to focus on your other work tasks, without the distraction of new email notifications.

In some cases, e-mail use throughout most of the day is required, so in these cases, assign time when you can close your inbox (even if it is just the last 10 minutes of each hour) to work on something else.

3. Plan your meals for the week in one sitting before doing groceries.

If you are the main cook in your household, you may understand the stress that comes with the pre-dinner rush on nights where you have not planned ahead. Batching meal planning can solve this problem and avoid unnecessary delivery or takeout runs. 

You can set aside the same time each week to physically write down the meals you plan to make the following week (taking into account any food on hand that may be expiring soon in your pantry, fridge, or freezer). After deciding the meals you will eat, you can write your grocery list for any outstanding items and regular weekly items to be a step ahead for dinnertime.

If you want to go above and beyond, you can batch similar tasks like chopping fresh produce (that can withstand a few days in the fridge without going bad) on the weekend so when you cook during the week, you have one less task to do.

4. Declutter your closet.

Do you have a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear? If yes, you may benefit by decluttering your closet. This assessment of deciding what you keep vs. donate vs. throw away is a good practice to do 1-2 times a year. 

Seasons and styles change so it is much easier to have your favorite 10 outfits in your closet vs. 30 outfits that you find mediocre. Your mornings before work and school will get smoother as this one decision becomes mindless because everything in your closet is something you like. This is also helpful in identifying when certain clothes should be replaced because they are worn out. 

Try the “one thing in, one thing out” rule to avoid it from getting overfilled again, meaning if you buy something new, you will need to donate one item.

The bottom line.

Think of these 4 ideas as a starting point for batching for inspiration. Everyone is unique so you may find other tasks or items you can batch to simplify your life. There are several benefits of batching, including avoiding decision fatigue, improving productivity, and saving time and money. The cherry on top of batching is getting peace of mind accompanied by the feeling of accomplishment.