Do you feel like there’s never enough time to do the things you really want to do in life? Do you feel as though you’re always stuck in the day-to-day cycle?

You’re not alone. Most of us feel this way at some point! To help you carve out some time to take that art class, get your hair cut, go on a vacation, or even just get some rest, here are our top Toronto time saving services!

1. Food and Meal Prep Delivery Services

Busy days leave little room for grocery shopping, cooking, and dishes. We all know about services like Uber Eats and Foodora, but sometimes we don’t want to order in, we want something healthier, something we can feel good about serving our family.

That’s when we opt for meal delivery services like Athlete’s Kitchen (simple, ‘clean’ meals with options like nu-paleo and plant-based) or Mutfak (a Turkish meal delivery system). And don’t forget that the LCBO now delivers, as does WineWire, WineOnline and Wine This Week. Enjoy!

2. Online Service Ontario Appointments

Spending hours in a waiting room is something nobody wants to do. Ever. Luckily, there’s a better solution!

If you make an appointment online you’ll cut that time to almost nothing. Some people are even eligible to renew their health card and/or driver’s license online and don’t have to go into the Service Ontario office. How cool, right?!

3. Pharmacy Delivery+

Medication delivery is a literal life-saver. And now you can have your prescriptions filled and quickly delivered within hours of placing your request through Well.ca’s Pharmacy! Just plug your postal code into the pharmacy page on the site and find out if the service is offered in your area. Or, if you want to take a trip downtown, visit the brick and mortar shop at Ossington & Dundas Street West to speak with one of the friendly pharmacists IRL!

4. Clothing Subscriptions

Shopping for clothes can be a fun expedition into the wilds of Yorkdale and Yorkville. Or, for most of us, it’s a frustrating waste of time wherein we arrive home having bought (1) a Bubble Tea, (2) something for someone else and (3) some deodorant. We end up completely neglecting ourselves in the process, so we have to do this charade over and over if we ever want to add to our wardrobe.

Enter a monthly clothing subscription service like Frank & Oak’s Style Plan. Take a quiz that delves into your various clothing sizes, body type, and your style. You can preview your monthly box online and add or change any items for 48 hours before the pieces ship. Once you’ve received the box, try the items on at home and return what doesn’t work for you with prepaid shipping. Amazing! 

5. Portable Pampering

Don’t have time to sit in a salon for your next haircut but really need pampering? We know the feeling.

CribCut has the perfect solution; a full-service mobile hair salon whose stylists come to you! Whether it’s at your home, office, hotel, retirement home or hospital, their stylists will travel to your location for on-site hair services. Select your location, service, stylist, and time and then relax. Their online booking app makes it easy to get the service you want, when and where you want it. Appointments can be made as soon as next day or up to six weeks in advance.

Bonus: Each Cribcut stylist is equipped with a portable vacuum and will take every step necessary to ensure no hair is left behind. Need a little more pampering? You can book a massage, manicure and pedicure, a yoga, dance or training session, a facial, a body wrap or a combination of whatever TLC you might need. All of which will take place in the comfort of your home. Once your booking request has been confirmed, a skilled therapist will arrive at your home or office and transform your space into a therapeutic oasis for the time of your service.

6. Digital Help for Your Health

In need of a doula, a naturopath, a dietician or maybe a mental health professional? Have no idea where to start and can’t get in to see your medical doctor (if you even have one) for months and months? We have your back with our new services portal.

With access to naturopathic doctors, sleep coaches, lactation consultants, and even skincare therapists, we want to help you with your healthcare. Appointments can be booked from 90 days up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time and you can change or cancel your appointment up to 24 hours in advance at no charge.

7. Learning and Reading in the Digital Age

The Toronto Public Library has been a massive—and free—educational, entertainment, and cultural resource for over 100 years. But did you know that TPL offers all of its services (and more) online? You no longer have to *hope* that a book or reference material will be in stock when you arrive to look for it. Now you can reserve a specific piece of literature online to be delivered to your local branch. The site will also then notify you that it is ready for pick up and it will be there, waiting for you on a shelf with your card number attached to it.

Other services you can manage online under the e-learning tab are things like free tutoring, test prep and homework help, tech and job skills learning, ebooks and e-magazines and language lessons; all free with a library card. Your kids can even listen to a story by phone any time of day by calling the library’s Dial-A-Story service at 416-395-5400. There are stories for younger children (7 and under) and for older children (up to 12) available in 16 languages.

What are the ways you save your sanity?

Written by: Jennifer Hamilton