Reduce stress and stay organized while running errands
By Meredith Williams
A day of running errands can be stressful for anyone. A simple journey around town can involve a great deal of coordination, from planning what you need and where to go to finding a simple route around town that hits all the necessary destinations. Technology can help you get organized and reduce some of this stress. With a little planning and the right tools, you can focus on what to do with your free time instead of worrying about locating the nearest ATM or keeping the kids entertained.
Here are some ideas to help you stay organized during a full day of errands.
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Plan ahead using the Web
Before you set out, use the Web to check the local weather and possible traffic around town. You might also want to check the hours of operation for the stores you plan to visit; many times stores will post this information on their Web sites. You can use MSN for most planning needs. When you reach the MSN home page, click the links listed on the left side of the screen for everything from City Guides to movie listings, and go from there. You can also use MSN Search to find store Web sites.
MSN provides easy access to information like local weather and City Guides.
Know your budget
Errands usually involve spending money, so double check to ensure that you have sufficient funds for your transactions. Determine your balance before you head out so you know how much you can spend. Personal finance software, like Microsoft Money 2006, can help save you time. Rather than going to multiple bank or credit card Web sites, just open Microsoft Money before you leave the house and you'll be able to see the important financial information from your accounts in one place. Microsoft Money can also help you create and stick to a budget by tracking spending in categories. For example, the spending tracker will alert you as you approach your spending limit on groceries for the month.
Microsoft Money can help you keep a budget with allocations on certain purchases, like groceries.
Use a PDA to help you stay on track
A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or Smartphone can be very helpful while on the road. You don't want to forget anything while you're out and about, so use your PDA to keep track of your different lists for shopping. Be sure to install Windows Mobile software and you will also be able to access Internet Explorer. You never know when you might need access to the Web or want to double check the time of your daughter's ballet class. Remember to synch your PDA with your PC before you head out and you'll have your most up-to-date schedule. Try using a calendar application like Microsoft Office Outlook.
Travel efficiently—map your shopping route
There are several devices available for in-car navigation. If you're looking for something affordable and easy to use, software might be the way to go. Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 with GPS Locator can turn your laptop into a powerful navigation system. The software includes all the features any driver needs to easily get around town or across country, including an option for route optimization. Plug in your stops and Streets & Trips can provide the optimal route for accomplishing everything efficiently with the least amount of driving.
To determine your optimal route:
1. | Start by clicking on the Route Planner icon at the top of the screen. It looks like a little car. |
2. | Enter the address of your starting location in the toolbar that reads "Type place of address," and click Add to Route. |
3. | Repeat this with the addresses for all your errand stops. For major businesses, you just need to type in the name and select the closest location from the list provided. |
4. | Once you've entered all your stops, click the Optimize Route button at the bottom of the task pane. |
5. | An easy-to-read, mapped route will appear with all your destinations in the optimized order. |
Mapping a route of all your errands can show you the most efficient way to go.
Have a tight schedule? Streets & Trips allows you to enter a time so you can gauge when you will be finished with your errands. Just click the clock-shaped icon to the right of your destination list, and select from stop time, arrival time, or departure time. If you enter your departure time, Streets & Trips will tell you what time you will likely arrive at your destination. If you enter your arrival time, the tool will let you know what time you should leave to make it by your selected arrival time. You can even calculate your gas expenses by clicking Route on the toolbar at the top of the screen and scrolling down to More Options. Enter your gas price information in the Costs tab and mileage information in the Fuel tab and you'll be able to know how much the total trip will cost in gas.
Streets & Trips will calculate your gas mileage, so you know when it's time to fill up and how much it will cost.
Once you are in the car, Streets & Trips 2006 with GPS Locator includes an easy-to-use, hands-free option that delivers turn-by-turn directional information. These voice-prompted directions will help you to know where you're going without taking your eyes off the road. Plus, you don't need to worry about getting lost; if you miss a turn you can recalculate the route with just one click.
Need a restaurant or ATM close by? Type the service or retailer you need in the toolbar at the top of the screen, click Tools, and select Find Nearby Places. You will be able to see a list of businesses close to your location from a database that includes more than 1.8 million points of interest.
Use the Find Nearby Places feature to locate businesses in your area.
Keep the kids entertained
Spending a lot of time in the car can be boring for children. To help alleviate their boredom, bring along some toys or travel games to keep them occupied and entertained. Consider bringing a laptop with Microsoft Encarta 2006, which is both educational and entertaining, and doesn't require an Internet connection. Let your kids watch Discovery Channel videos, take 2-D and 3-D virtual tours of the world's most famous and historical monuments, or read some interesting articles on a wide range of topics.
Microsoft Encarta can amuse your kids during a day of multiple errands.
Running errands can be stressful, but technology can alleviate some of your frustration and difficulties by helping you stay organized and get things done. Confirming your budget, planning a travel route, and creating fun activities for the kids are all ways to keep a day of errands under control.
