Saving Time---You Can Do It!

Want to save time? I mean real time! Here's my new method of saving time. I record my favorite TV programs on our Dish DVR instead of watching them during the time they're on the television. At the same time I watch other programs on PBS that don't have advertisements. These educational programs of interest may take an hour but they're really on for the entire hour. On the other hand, the programs on commercial channels are truly only forty minutes long. The rest includes twenty minutes of fun stuff like toe nail medicine, nasal cures, bone help, toilet help, sleep help, hair help, and what's on the TV next or in three hours, or what's coming up on the local news. When I watch these programs, I just breeze right through the oven cleaners and the cranberry swamps. Voila! 1 hour = 40 minutes actual time!

Now according to my calculations, for my weekly television habits which are as follows:

Tuesdays: 3 hours

Thursdays: 2 hours

Fridays: 2 hours

Sundays: 3 hours

That's a total of 10 hours

I'm not including specials now. That could probably add another 4 to 6 hours. And I've taken to checking the movie schedule in the middle of the night on channels like IFC or Oxygen so I've been able to locate a few art films for the DVR schedule.

Now weekly I'm ahead of time by at least 3 ½ hours. I've got plenty of time to get on Gather, with no guilt feelings. I can play Free Cell guilt free. There's time for reading "Cook's Illustrated" from cover to cover. Oh my, I've got plans for all that time. 24 hours a month! A full day free every month! Now if I start watching more of those programs…let's see. The Young and the Restless, Dancing with the Stars, Fox News, maybe even Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Holy Cow! I'm going be rolling in time to spare!

Comments: 13

Nancy S. Nov 16, 2006, 12:17pm EST

It's good to have priorities, Carol. I admire your creative thinking.

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Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Nov 16, 2006, 12:21pm EST

Cute, Carol. I gave up this battle years ago and made a rule that I won't watch television unless I am doing something else at the same time. (breathing counts)

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Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Nov 16, 2006, 12:22pm EST

Happy Anniversary! I see you joined Gather a year ago today.

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Carol Voigts Nov 16, 2006, 12:36pm EST

Well, you're absolutely right about multi-tasking. I have my laptop on and am surfing the web, all the while I've got the tellie on. It used to be knitting or embroidery while I watched the boob tube, but I've moved on to creating on the computer now. And thanks for the anniversary note. I hadn't noticed that! Right after that, I encouraged Jessie V. my niece to join. She's a dynamo!

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Spiritguided Woman Nov 16, 2006, 2:12pm EST

I really make attempts at multi-tasking too. However, my manic mind wants to do too many tasks all at once. I end up with so many piles of "stuff to go through" that I literally have built a wall around my desk! I guess this is the way I try and save time...but am I really?

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Aileen F. Nov 16, 2006, 2:15pm EST

Multitasker here, too! TV is usually background noise while I am doing something else. I get to watch a lot of stuff that way!

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Edward Nudelman Nov 16, 2006, 3:49pm EST

Bravo Carol! You got it figured out.

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Kimberly K Nov 16, 2006, 5:29pm EST

I record EVERYTHING!!! Here's what my daily schedule looks like:

Watch 1 recorded show. Do 15 minutes of cleaning and change load of laundry. Read/Post 15 minutes on Gather. Fold laundry while watching shows.

Don't laugh, my house is clean and my DVR usually doesn't exceed 75% full for more than 24 hours!

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Carol Voigts Nov 16, 2006, 5:47pm EST

Wow, Kimberly, you're even more experienced at this than me, and your house is sure cleaner. I would never waste that extra 24 hrs/ month on cleaning house (maybe folding clothes.)

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