Blogtrek

Saving Time

Well now that I know what I want to do (probably), I need time to do it. But since I am currently employed, I have little time to do it. I have little time to update my web site, study mathematics, go to all my outside activities and clubs such as Toastmasters, astronomy club, and church events, and have some time to goof off and do whatever I want. What I do have is plenty of money from my full-time job. So I try to save time where I can.

I wait until a number of errands pile up, then I do them all at once, in the same store if possible, but stores like Wal-Mart are a time-waster because you have to hunt for the item you want in an illogically arranged store. I get out my clothes for the week and organize, especially if I have to work five 9-hour days in the week, and get ready for work in a precise schedule, so that I can listen to NPR's "Earth and Sky" and "Stock Market Song" (today it was "Stormy Weather", as the market was down yesterday) both. The time between them is almost as great as my commute time.

I do all sorts of things to trade money for time; i.e, buy time. For example, I grab any brand that happens to be out on the grocery shelf, even though it is more expensive than something I would have to hunt for. We call in plumbers, painters, and other people to do work around the house rather than do them ourselves. In purchasing stuff, I look for quality, durability, reliability, and especially I try to see, if possible (usually it is not), if I will have to spend hours on the phone haggling over software glitches, if the item is a computer, cellular phone, PDA, or the like.

In traveling I listen to traffic reports and avoid routes with construction, accidents and jams on them if I can. Two of my interests lead to my traveling frequently into a metropolitan area at evening rush hour time; I go many hours too early simply to avoid these jams.

I suppose if I were retired I would have to go the other way and trade time for money, even though time is precious; we each get only a day a day and once it is gone, it is gone. Then I would shop for the cheapest brands and learn to do work around the house and on the automobiles. I then would be able to use the time to make the most of my talents and capabilities.