Buy gas early or late in the day and try to fly on Wednesdays

In today’s busy world where good service is becoming harder and harder to find, choosing the right time to accomplish your tasks can make all the difference. Try the following hints for the best (and worst) times for completing your “to-do” list.

Best time to shop for groceries — Supermarket traffic is lightest on a weekday morning and busier in the evening and on weekends. Produce is freshest on Tuesdays and Fridays, which are the usual delivery days, or check with the manager to learn their delivery days.

Best time for a doctor’s appointment — The first appointment of the morning or the one right after lunch. It is also perfectly all right to complain in a polite manner if you are kept waiting more than 20 minutes.

To buy a gym membership or join a weight-loss program — January is when these places offer special deals so that folks can keep their New Year’s resolutions. January is also the traditional month for those “white sales.”

Workout — When you feel most awake. Despite conventional wisdom, if you want to lose weight, you should work out before eating anything. If you are looking to perform better or are in an event, then eat light, first.

Cheapest day to fly — Wednesday, followed by Tuesday and Saturday. The very first flight in the morning, the “red eye” flight or after lunch or dinner. The best day to buy your airline ticket is Tuesday. Check prices on Farecompare.com.

Buy gas — Early in the morning or after sunset. The Environmental Protection Agency advises that cooler temperatures at those times of the day mean less evaporated gas emissions (less pollution and more bang for your buck.

Have hip replacement surgery — According to Dr. Frank Frassica of Johns Hopkins, people who are the least satisfied with their hip replacement surgery have it too early. When pain and disability are disrupting your life, then it is time to consult a surgeon. Age is also important since hip replacement devices have a life expectancy of 15-20 years.

Best time of day for any surgery — If it can be scheduled for early in the morning, you are likely to have less pain and nausea. Also, early in the week is better than near the weekend when hospital staffing is minimal.

To buy that car you’ve been wanting — The last days of the month in September, October and November. This is the time of year the new models arrive and dealers are trying to meet their quotas.

Best time to walk your dog — Early or late in the day during the summer months; midday in cold weather (unless Fido is giving sure signs of needing to go out sooner). Dogs can’t sweat, so they are more susceptible to heat exhaustion than humans and unless they have a heavy coat of hair and are of a rugged breed, they mind the frigid weather, as well.

Worst time to get a prescription filled — The beginning of any month when many people receive their Social Security checks and pharmacies are really busy. A recent study also found that there’s a 25 percent increase in medication errors during the first few days of any month.

Worst time to have any elective surgery — July or August, especially if you are booked into a teaching hospital where new medical interns are just starting. By winter or the following spring, they have had time to gain experience and in the event of complications, your doctor is less likely to have left on vacation.

Even with all of the above advice, I’m reminded of the words from one of my favorite songs from “La Cage Aux Folles”:

“What’s left of summer

But a faded rose?

The best of times is now

As for tomorrow, well, who knows?

Who knows? Who knows?”

“So hold this moment fast

And live and love

As hard as you know how

And make this moment last

Because the best of times is now,

Is now, is now.”

May all your times, be the best of times.

- Article by Jean Cherni, founder of the retirement advisory service, Senior Living Solutions. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at Hotchkiss Grove, Branford 06405.

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