By the Numbers
If you are like most people, getting up and out the door on time can be nothing short of a miracle.
Here are some common watch stoppers to be aware of and a few time-savers to speed you on your journey.
10–20 | The number of minutes spent by the average person preparing and eating breakfast. |
Tip: Breakfast—grab it and go.
Time saved: 10–20 minutes
Students and employees have been shown to perform better after eating a morning meal. Don’t be one of the 45.5 percent who skip it. Quick foods like cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit can be set out or prepared the night before to make them easy to grab and go.
Sources: ABC News, MrBreakfast.com
48 | The number of pieces of new clothing the average American buys each year, making the what-to-wear decision sometimes difficult. |
Tip: Lay out your clothes before you lie down.
Time saved: 10 minutes
Choosing what you are going to wear the night before helps eliminate the morning dance of picking out the right look from hundreds of combinations. This also increases the chances of having on clothes that match before going out the door.
Source: National Geographic
1,250 | The number of dollars that can be saved by bringing lunch each day for a year. |
Tip: Make your lunch after dinner.
Time saved: 10 minutes
Before closing the kitchen, pull out that mustard and start spreading. Making your own lunch not only fattens your wallet, but it may also slim your waistline. It also helps save time and fuel.
Calculate your expected lunch savings at bankrate.com.
8 | The number of minutes the average adult spends in the shower. |
Tip: Use a shower timer to avoid dawdling.
Time saved: 5 minutes
To avoid falling prey to Father Time, keep track of how long your water is running. The more activities in your routine, the more time will be needed.
Sources: NPR, Moen Plumbing Supply
113 | The number of minutes the average woman spends each week washing, drying, and styling her hair. |
Tip: Towel, protect, then dry.
Time saved: 5–10 minutes
Before turning on the blow-dryer, use a towel to strip away moisture. Adding a heat protective product will help shield hair follicles and reduce drying time by almost half. Wait until hair is about 80 percent dry before styling with a brush.
Sources: TRESemme, HOTS
3,500 | The number of hours the average American male will spend shaving in his lifetime. |
Tip: Shave in the shower.
Time saved: 4 minutes
Streamline your morning by adding a blade to your shower routine. The steam helps soften follicles and allows for a smoother and quicker shave. To ensure your blade doesn’t dull from the hot water, try keeping a cup of cold water in your shower to rinse your razor after each stroke.
Source: The Body Mechanic
