1. Monitor the "dead" time you spend watching TV. Now of course the TV is an excellent resource and a great way to relax and unwind. However the TV can eat up valuable hours that with hindsight you might wish you had spent in other ways. Most people have no real idea how much time they spend in front of their TV. You need to be aware of the extent to which the TV schedules are arranged to keep you in front of your TV. With the exception of the few networks that do not carry advertising (such as the BBC) they want you to watch for as long as possible so that you see as many advertisements as possible. It can be an eye-opener to learn how much TV time you spend either watching advertisements or waiting for them to finish to resume watching the programme of choice. Make a note of this for a few days - you will find you will start to fast forward through adverts and record a lot more TV. The trick is not to watch more programmes, which almost by definition will be of less value to you, but to spend less time in front of the TV.

2. Learn to de-clutter effectively. Many people undertake spring cleaning annually without giving much thought at other times to the wasted time that results from being surrounded by clutter and disorganisation. It is a much better approach to organise everything you do in a way that builds in spring-cleaning on an ongoing basis to ensure that everything is readily to hand. At home this can be achieved by following the maxim - a place for everything, and everything in its place. This requires a measure of self-discipline because the number and size of your possessions will be curtailed by the amount of storage space you have. When cupboards approach full capacity - then it is time to get rid of something. As a last resort, get rid of those things that have been unsued for 15 months and are of no sentimental value - which means a complete year and one repeated season since last used. Save money by only buying what you have space for!

3 Save time on making grocery lists. By having a computer generated pre-populated shopping list handy in the kitchen you can compile a shopping list with the minimum of effort. Simply tick the item when you know that more is going to be required when you next go shopping. In this way you will not need to take time to make a new shopping list every time you go shopping. Do not use a wipe clean kitchen board - you cannot take that to the shops. Furthermore, knowing you have a complete shopping list will reduce the temptation to make impulse purchases whilst in the shop - and so save money also.

4. Adopt a consistent and logical method of storing food in your freezer. For example if you have an upright freezer then take items for use from the bottom drawer first. Place items that are bought last in the top compartments and rotate the drawers so that the items bought longest ago gradually migrate towards the bottom. In this way you can save time and money by ensuring you know which items are nearing the date at which they should be eaten - and you will no longer waste time - and perhaps food - sifting through for expiry dates.

5. Teach your children how you are required to organise and use time wisely - and how they must also learn to do so. Allocate jobs to children according to their age and ability. Keep a list of household jobs and who is responsible for them visible in the kitchen. Everyone can then tick off a job when it has been done. Children not only like to tick off their tasks when they are done, but also learn how much a parent has to do to keep a house running smoothly. If possible, rotate jobs between children 'in that way they learn more and jobs do not become monotonous too quickly. Fairness is important to children - or perhaps it is better to say they are keenly aware when they feel unfairly treated, so job rotation is a good idea. Involving children in this way is a great way to instil a sense of responsibility, mutual support and cooperation - and so save more time.

In common with all time management tips, you and your family will benefit only to the extent to which you consistently apply the methods recommended. Involving your family in the ways suggested will provide a gentle way to educate and introduce the need for personal time management discipline. It is important for younger family members to learn these lessons in the comfortable and relaxed way that is possible by following these suggestions.