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Laundry, cooking, carpooling...your days are filled to the brim with stuff you've got to get done. Doesn't it make sense to find shortcuts so you have time to do the things you want to do? Here are 8 smart ideas from Parents.

BUY IT WHEN YOU SEE IT

Don't run to the store every time your child gets a birthday-party invite. Instead, stock up on one-size fits presents whenever you spot a sale. Keep your treasures on a designated closet shelf so there's always something you can pull out, wrap and give.

JOIN THE CAR POOL

Sure, it's tough to entrust your little one to someone else's minivan. But if you don't share the driving with friends, you'll end up living in your vehicle as you ferry your child to school and sports and other activities. (And think of the money you'll save on gas).

WATCH ONLY THE GOOD STUFF

There's no reason to sit through commercials - record your favorite shows, then fast-forward through the ads. If you must watch television in real time, hit the mute button and, during the breaks, sort the mail or catch up on email.

STOP COMPETING WITH MARTHA

Who says the cookies you send in for the preschool bake sale need to be from scratch? There's a reason grocery stores sell refrigerated dough. And when you are baking, don't underestimate the power of aluminum foil. You can line any baking dish or cookie sheet with it and then you don't have the hassle of scrubbing pans.

FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE OF ORGANIZATION

Touch mail no more than twice. Don't let the paper pile up on the kitchen counter-put all the flyers and catalogs you know you're never going to look at in the recycling bin; as you receive monthly bills, throw away the outer envelopes and place in a to-be-paid folder. Same goes for e-mail: Answer it immediately, and then delete.

DON'T BE A TOP CHEF

Forget asking your kids what they want to eat. As they're debating ham and cheese versus PB&J, you could have already packed the lunch box and sent them out the door. As for dinner, don't even think about making different foods for each member of the family. Kids can eat what the grown-ups are served.

BE SMART ABOUT COMPARISON SHOPPING

Every penny counts...but when you're running from store to store to get the best price on a sack of potatoes, the gas alone isn't worth it. Save money the old-fashioned way - clip coupons and make just one trip.

BREAK THE NEWS: THERE IS NO LAUNDRY FAIRY

Even a 3 year old can master a simple sorting system. Set up a couple of baskets - one for whites, another for colors - in his room. Also, teach kids that clothes can usually be worn more than once before they need to be washed. This doesn't dawn on most of them until they go away to college and start doing their own laundry.

For more tips, pick up the latest issue of Parents magazine or visit www.parents.com.