As the new school year starts, parents everywhere are looking for ways to save time and energy before they have to race out the door and start their day. From getting kids to school, to running all over town for after school activities, and then trying to make a nice meal for your family every night, each day can be exhausting. But before you exhaust yourself just thinking about everything you have to do each day, here are four simple ways busy parents can save time every week.

Meal Plan for the Week- On Sunday night, plan your meals for the entire week. While this might seem a bit daunting, taking the time to plan dinner for each night of the week will save you time during the week because you won’t have to search for recipes or head to the grocery store over and over. Plus this gives you the option to prep meals earlier in the week. Try planning meals you can toss in the crock pot or meals you can double. This way you can cook once and eat twice because you can freeze half the portion.

Order Your Groceries Online and/or Have them Delivered- A trip to the grocery store can be relaxing if you have the time to walk up and down the aisles, but if you are a busy mom, finding time to make your grocery list, head to the store, shop, and then put the groceries away? It’s all too much. So instead, find the stores in your area that offer online ordering and delivery and make ordering your groceries a weekly event.

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When the weather heats up, we aren’t the only ones that feel the effects of the rising temperatures. So if you and your pup are hitting the road this summer for a quick trip to the park or maybe a dog-friendly vacation, here are five ways to keep your pooch cool in your car. Of course, you should never leave your dog in the car unattended, but these quick cool down ideas will help while you are driving and your dog is your co-pilot.

1.       Dog Cooling Mat- A cooling mat is a great option to quickly cool down your dog. The mats come in different sizes and can be laid out on a car seat or in the back of your car so that your dog can stretch out and cool off. Be sure to use the mat at home first so your dog knows that the mat will keep them cool in the car.

2.       Pack Plenty of Cold Water- The easiest way to keep your dog cool in the car is to keep your pup hydrated.  Pack a few extra bottles of water for you and your four legged friend every time you are in the car. Keep a travel bowl in your car and between stops, let your dog have a few drinks to cool himself off.

3.       Keep the Car Cool- Having a cool car will help you and your dog on short and long trips. So try parking in the shade or giving your car just a few minutes of cooling down time before your dog gets in. If you park outside, use sunshades to cover the front and back windows.

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Whether you are taking turns with neighbors shuttling kids to school or you have a car full of kids that you are dropping off and picking up at afterschool activities and sports, being part of a carpool can get hectic. But with busy schedules comes the need for a carpool. So here are a few tips to keep your car and everyone’s gear organized while they are in the car. Grab yourself another cup of coffee and get going because you are going to rock this carpool duty!

Organize the gear- Grab a few hooks with suction cups on the back and attach these to the car windows. I’ve always had luck finding these hooks at the dollar store. Place the hooks low on the window so the driver’s view is not obstructed and have kids can hang their bookbags on the hooks. This way, they can keep their bags off the floor. This hack is perfect for a little extra room, especially if kids are carrying multiple backs or the weather outside is wet and messy. Now the kids’ bags will stay dry and clean and your car won’t be a mess.

Always be on time- You’ll never be late for your carpool duty with this hack. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you when you need to leave each day. Don’t set the alarm when you have to be at the location but when you have to leave the house. Even if you are busy or distracted, when the alarm on the phone goes off, you know it’s time to leave. Now you won’t be late or rushed for pickup.

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It’s time for your summer vacation! But before you leave for an adventure with your family, you need to download a few apps that will keep your trip smooth sailing. From getting tips on where to stay and eat to having quick access to backup plans if your trip changes, check out these helpful summer travel apps.

Tunity- Now this is a cool app. By using Tunity at the airport, you can scan the muted TVs around you, and then streaming audio to your phone. This would be a great app to use at the gym too.

Service- While you hope you won’t have to use this app, it really is handy to have on your phone. If you’re your flight is canceled or delayed, Service will automatically search compensation from the airline. This will save you time and the frustration of finding the info. Service will also monitor any hotels you are staying in and will help you rebook if the price on your room drops.

Winnie- Parents are going to love this app! Winnie gives parents tips on family-friendly restaurants, shops, parks, playgrounds, and activities. This app will even tell you where to find the nearest changing station. This is a must have for parents traveling with their little ones.

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The weather this time of year is beautiful and weekend adventures await you and your family. But before you head out the door, you’ll want to make sure you have a car kit put together so you can hit the road prepared.

For the kit, start with a plastic container that has a lid that easily snaps on and off. This will help keep all of your supplies organized and in one place.

Then fill your kit with items like:

A change of clothes for everyone in the family – You never know when you’ll need a new outfit for your kids and a lot of the times, if your kids are messy, you are too. So be sure to have something in the kit for the adults as well. The easiest way to store the outfits in the containers without taking up too much space is to roll the outfits like a burrito. So skip the folding and go for rolling.

Sunscreen and Bug Spray- For those unplanned summer moments that you want to always be prepared, be sure to toss a bottle of sunscreen and bug spray into the kit.

Reusable tote bags- Because you never know when you’ll need a extra bag to carry around new found

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