Efficiency

Over the last month or so I've been looking for ways to increase efficiency in our household.  I have tapped the brains of some super-organized mommy friends who have good practical advice for raising larger families efficiently.  I received such great information!  One of my dear friends in TN who is a mom of 4 girls (the last 2 are twins!) told me about a book called "1000 Ways to Stay Organized" and it's on my pick up list for my next trip to the library.  Here are a few things I have tried and am going to try.

1. Only cooking 3 times a week but having enough leftovers to cover 6 evening meals.  That covers our week since we usually have dinner with friends or go out as a family at least once on the weekends!  Less cooking = more time with my family!
2. Teaching my kids to pick up more of the housework.  My kids are still pretty young, but we are working on things like making their own beds, picking up the toys every evening, cleaning out the car before getting out, helping put away their own clean laundry after it has been washed, putting everything in it's proper place when they come in the door, and cleaning up their own plates after dinner.  As they get older, this list will get longer! :)
3. Only going to the grocery store once a week (and keeping enough stocked to get by in case I forgot something on that one weekly trip).  This is something I do a bit of, but have been trying to do better with.  I did well this week with stocking up on extra staples and snacks but not so much with extra dinner items.  
4. Getting work outs in between 5:30 & 6:30am - this has been a BIG struggle for me over the summer b/c my work schedule is more flexible and I can come in later in the mornings.  I'm in for a reality check next week when classes start.  I have thought about investing in one of those alarm clocks that wakes you up by brightening the room...anyone tried this?
5. Finishing ALL laundry in 24-48 hours - I can't stand doing a load a day b/c then it's never done!  I usually hit it hard on Saturday and have it all done by Sunday evening.

If anyone has any additional ideas, please let me know!  I love learning from others!