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ProductivityFebruary 3, 202511 min read

How to Reclaim 2 Extra Hours Each Week With One Simple Change

R

Returnful Team

Returnful Team

How to Reclaim 2 Extra Hours Each Week With One Simple Change
11 min read
Productivity

How to Reclaim 2 Extra Hours Each Week With One Simple Change

What if you could reclaim 2 extra hours every single week with just one simple change? It sounds too good to be true, but it's not. By outsourcing returns to pickup services, you can reclaim 2-6 hours per week that you're currently spending on return errands. Here's how the math works and what you can do with those reclaimed hours.

The Time Math

Current Return Time Investment

Per Return:

  • Preparation: 15 minutes
  • Driving: 20-40 minutes (round trip)
  • Parking: 5-10 minutes
  • Waiting: 10-45 minutes
  • Processing: 5-10 minutes
  • Total: 55-120 minutes per return

Weekly Average:

  • Most people: 2-3 returns per week
  • Time investment: 110-360 minutes
  • 2-6 hours per week

Annual Impact:

  • 104-156 returns per year
  • 104-338 hours annually
  • 4-14 days per year

The Simple Change

Outsource to Pickup Service:

  • Scheduling: 60 seconds
  • Leaving package: 30 seconds
  • Total: 90 seconds per return

Time Saved Per Return:

  • 54-119 minutes
  • Massive savings
  • Clear benefit

Weekly Time Reclaimed:

  • 2-3 returns: 108-357 minutes
  • 2-6 hours per week
  • Significant time
  • Life-changing

What You Can Do With 2 Extra Hours

Professional Development

Career Advancement:

  • Learn new skills
  • Take online courses
  • Read industry books
  • Professional growth

Business Building:

  • Work on side business
  • Develop new ideas
  • Build network
  • Create opportunities

Skill Development:

  • Learn languages
  • Develop hobbies
  • Master new tools
  • Personal growth

Health and Fitness

Exercise:

  • 2 hours = 4-6 workouts
  • Better health
  • More energy
  • Improved well-being

Cooking:

  • Prepare healthy meals
  • Meal planning
  • Better nutrition
  • Health improvement

Rest:

  • More sleep
  • Better recovery
  • Reduced stress
  • Improved health

Relationships

Family Time:

  • Quality time with kids
  • Date nights
  • Family activities
  • Better relationships

Social Connections:

  • Friend time
  • Community involvement
  • Social activities
  • Stronger bonds

Personal Relationships:

  • More presence
  • Better connections
  • Deeper relationships
  • Improved life

Personal Projects

Creative Pursuits:

  • Writing
  • Art
  • Music
  • Creative expression

Home Improvement:

  • Projects around house
  • Organization
  • Decorating
  • Home enhancement

Hobbies:

  • Pursue interests
  • Develop passions
  • Personal fulfillment
  • Enjoyment

Rest and Relaxation

Downtime:

  • Unwind
  • Relax
  • Recharge
  • Better well-being

Leisure:

  • Reading
  • Entertainment
  • Hobbies
  • Enjoyment

Self-Care:

  • Meditation
  • Reflection
  • Personal time
  • Well-being

The Compound Effect

Weekly Benefits

2 Hours Per Week:

  • 104 hours per year
  • 4.3 days annually
  • Significant time
  • Major impact

6 Hours Per Week:

  • 312 hours per year
  • 13 days annually
  • Massive time
  • Life-changing

Long-Term Impact

Career:

  • 104-312 hours of development
  • Skill building
  • Career advancement
  • Income increase

Health:

  • 104-312 hours of exercise
  • Better fitness
  • Improved health
  • Longer life

Relationships:

  • 104-312 hours of quality time
  • Stronger bonds
  • Better connections
  • Improved life

Personal Growth:

  • 104-312 hours of development
  • Skill building
  • Hobby pursuit
  • Personal fulfillment

The Simple Implementation

Step 1: Outsource Returns

Choose Service:

  • Research options
  • Check coverage
  • Select service
  • Get started

Schedule Pickups:

  • Book returns
  • Set up routine
  • Make it standard
  • Establish habit

Step 2: Track Time Saved

Measure Impact:

  • Track hours saved
  • See the benefit
  • Quantify value
  • Appreciate gain

Monitor Progress:

  • Weekly tracking
  • Monthly review
  • Annual assessment
  • See growth

Step 3: Invest Reclaimed Time

Plan Activities:

  • Decide priorities
  • Schedule time
  • Invest wisely
  • Maximize value

Use Time Well:

  • High-value activities
  • Meaningful pursuits
  • Important goals
  • Life improvement

Real-Life Examples

Example 1: Career Advancement

Before:

  • 3 hours/week on returns
  • No time for development
  • Stagnant career
  • Limited growth

After:

  • 3 hours/week reclaimed
  • Time for courses
  • Skill development
  • Career advancement

Result: Promotion, raise, better opportunities

Example 2: Health Improvement

Before:

  • 2 hours/week on returns
  • No time for exercise
  • Poor fitness
  • Health declining

After:

  • 2 hours/week reclaimed
  • Time for workouts
  • Regular exercise
  • Health improvement

Result: Better fitness, more energy, improved health

Example 3: Family Relationships

Before:

  • 4 hours/week on returns
  • Less family time
  • Strained relationships
  • Missing moments

After:

  • 4 hours/week reclaimed
  • Quality family time
  • Better connections
  • Stronger bonds

Result: Better relationships, happier family, improved life

Example 4: Personal Projects

Before:

  • 2 hours/week on returns
  • No time for hobbies
  • Projects delayed
  • Unfulfilled

After:

  • 2 hours/week reclaimed
  • Time for projects
  • Hobby pursuit
  • Personal fulfillment

Result: Completed projects, developed skills, better life

Maximizing Your Reclaimed Time

Strategic Planning

Identify Priorities:

  • What matters most?
  • High-value activities
  • Important goals
  • Meaningful pursuits

Schedule Time:

  • Block calendar
  • Protect time
  • Use wisely
  • Maximize value

Track Progress:

  • Monitor usage
  • Assess impact
  • Adjust approach
  • Optimize investment

Best Practices

Use for High-Value Activities:

  • Career development
  • Health improvement
  • Relationship building
  • Personal growth

Avoid Time Wasters:

  • Don't fill with low-value
  • Avoid distractions
  • Focus on important
  • Maximize benefit

Be Consistent:

  • Regular use
  • Build habits
  • Maintain momentum
  • Compound benefits

The Cost-Benefit Analysis

Investment

Service Cost:

  • $20-25 per return
  • 2-3 returns/week
  • $160-300 per month
  • $1,920-3,600 per year

Return

Time Value:

  • 2-6 hours per week
  • 104-312 hours per year
  • Priceless opportunity
  • Massive value

What You Gain:

  • Career advancement
  • Health improvement
  • Better relationships
  • Personal fulfillment

ROI:

  • Time is priceless
  • Opportunities created
  • Life improved
  • Worth every dollar

Common Objections

"I Don't Have That Many Returns"

Reality:

  • Even 1-2 per week helps
  • 1-2 hours reclaimed
  • Still significant
  • Worth it

Response:

  • Every hour counts
  • Time is valuable
  • Worth the investment
  • Clear benefit

"Returns Don't Take That Long"

Reality:

  • Average 60-90 minutes
  • Includes all factors
  • True time cost
  • Significant

Response:

  • Calculate all time
  • Factor in everything
  • See true cost
  • Understand value

"I Can't Afford It"

Reality:

  • Time is valuable
  • Opportunity cost high
  • Investment pays off
  • Worth it

Response:

  • Calculate time value
  • See opportunity cost
  • Understand ROI
  • Worth investment

Making It Happen

Getting Started

1. Calculate Your Time:

  • Track return time
  • See the hours
  • Understand value
  • Make decision

2. Choose Service:

  • Research options
  • Check coverage
  • Select service
  • Get started

3. Start Using:

  • Schedule pickups
  • Reclaim time
  • Invest wisely
  • See benefits

Maintaining the Change

Consistency:

  • Use for all returns
  • Make it routine
  • Build habit
  • Maintain benefit

Optimization:

  • Track time saved
  • Monitor usage
  • Adjust approach
  • Maximize value

Conclusion: One Simple Change, Massive Impact

Reclaiming 2-6 hours per week might seem small, but it's life-changing. That's 104-312 hours per year—4-13 days of extra time. Invested wisely in career, health, relationships, or personal projects, this time can transform your life.

The change is simple: outsource returns to pickup services. The impact is massive: hours reclaimed, time invested in what matters, and life improved. One simple change, one simple decision, and you get 2-6 extra hours every single week.

If you're spending hours on returns, you're leaving time on the table. Make the simple change and start reclaiming your hours today.

Ready to reclaim 2 extra hours each week? Check Returnful's service and start investing your time in what matters.


Want to reclaim hours each week? Text us at 469-790-7579 to learn how!

R

Written by

Returnful Team

Part of the Returnful team, helping DFW residents save time on their online returns with same-day pickup service.

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