Wouldn't it be great to be able to get daily tasks done online without you having to run around and wasting your time unnecessarily for example in traffic and instead, gives you more time for yourself and your family? It's possible by using the Internet, which offers many timesaving solutions for basic household errands. Janice Biehn, a busy 36-year-old mother of two young girls, browses for clothes online. "I save a lot of legwork by checking things out at stores I like online before I waste my time in the shop," she says. "I really hate shopping, so if I have to go a shop, I want it to be quick and painless." Follow our seven suggestions to help you save time for the more important things in life.

1. Go grocery shopping online
   Instead of wandering the aisles of your local store, have food, beer and wine delivered right to your doorstep. Chances are there's a shop that services your area. Try Woolworths New Zealand for grocery-delivery services in your area. You can also order prepared meals online from a number of restaurants from sites like Gobble.co.nz. In both cases, before you order, remember to find out what the delivery charge is and how long it'll take for your order to arrive.
2. Browse for flowers and gifts
   Find the perfect bunch of flowers for a loved one by surfing the Net. At many floral sites like Wildpoppies, photos of floral bouquets for various occasions are displayed with prices; just pick one and order. You can also add a stuffed animal, balloons or a greeting card. Many sites also offer same-day delivery. And if you have relatives or friends in other parts of the world, use a search engine to look up online florists in their country as you might save on international delivery. TIP: Search for online shopping sites affiliated with or advertised through large organisations, like a major newspaper or multimedia company.
   You can also save time by sending birthday, baby or congratulatory gifts via an online service. Check to see if local shops that are online also deliver across the country. Food and gift baskets can be easily customised for a friend or loved one.
3. Look up a postcode or phone number
   Small tasks still take time. Cut down on those frustrating minutes of searching for NZ postcodes by visiting NZ Postal Code finder. You can also track a package and find a postal outlet on this site.
   Search for residential or business phone numbers or addresses online and eliminate all of those large phone books from your wardrobes.
4. Transfer money, pay bills and bank
   Instead of waiting at the bank or on the phone, why not bank online? Using the Internet, you can apply for a mortgage, check your credit rating, pay bills or even get a quote on home insurance. With some banks, you can send money to anyone with their own account. You don't need account or transfer numbers, just an e-mail address.
5. Find the forecast
   Track the weather in your own time at New Zealand Met Service, which lists temperatures, wind-chill factors, humidity levels and precipitation in select local and international cities. Other features include UV, pollen and road-condition reports.
6. Sign up for a magazine subscription
   Most magazines have their own websites with online subscription forms. If you're interested in signing up for a foreign publication, visit MagazineCity. Note: Prices are in American dollars.
7. Order library books
   Anne Scott, a university administrator and mother of an eight-year-old daughter, regularly requests library books online. She visits her local library’s website, logs on with her library card number and password and searches by title, author or subject. "I prefer online requests because I don't have to be at the library to search, so I don't have to work within their open hours," she says. "I can search the branches in my regional library system as well as other systems in the country, which saves me time searching the shelves." Try NZ Libraries.com to find your local library. To buy books online and have them delivered by mail, visit Whitcoulls NZ and Real Groovy.

Adapted from an original article by Jane Doucet for Microsoft Home Magazine. The names of people, places and companies may have been removed.