Early for pickup? Friend running late? Let Barclays know how you make the most of an unexpected 5 minutes downtime out of the house, for your chance to win a £200 John Lewis voucher - NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Barclays say "It's happened to all of us - you're out and about and you find yourself with some unexpected free time on your hands - you're a few minutes early for pickup, or one of the kids is bravely allowing a hairdresser to trim their locks."

"We're putting together the ultimate list of tips to maximise lost moments throughout the day, to celebrate two ingenious apps from Barclays: the Barclays Mobile Banking app, which lets you manage your finances when you are out and about; and Barclays Pingit, an app that lets you send and receive money using just a mobile number."

So they are asking, what do you do with that time? How do you make the most of the moments and once they have all added up, what would you spend an extra hour on a week?

Let us know your thoughts on this thread - everyone who adds a comment before the closing date of 15th July 2013 will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £200 John Lewis voucher. Please note your anonymous submitted tips may well be used on the Barclays pages on MN as well as possibly elsewhere.

Thanks
MNHQ

Read a book. Every time. I love it.

With a spare 5 minutes, I'd check FB or MN on my phone. Every now and again, I like to spend a spare hour either going for a run or watching something I want to watch on TV without the kids or DH bothering me to turn it over.

In my spare five minutes I would review my 'to do' list and see what I could get done- buying stuff online for DC, gifts, online groceries etc. By getting (and staying) super organised, I can spend proper time with the people I love without being distracted by chores.

In my mythical spare hour... It would have to be something just for me. Either exercise (long run, swimming, Pilates class) or a pamper with a long bath, face pack and something good to listen to on iplayer.

For five minutes I would just sit and enjoy the peace. If there was time for a coffee that would be a bonus!

I think of a way each member of the family has made me smile or feel good recently.

I would love 5 min to go to the bathroom without little people trying to accompany me

An hour to myself and I would sit and enjoy the silence and probably nap.

If just 5 minutes I would just listen to music on my phone, check the news on my newspaper apps or check my email.

If an hour, I would have a look round the shops, get a coffee in peace, read a book, whatever I felt like at the time.

I sit and just be for a few minutes, and be sure to smile!

If I'm in the car I recline the seat, put the radio on and close my eyes and just 'be' for a few minutes. In fact I arrive early to things on purpose to do this, I'm n the go ever day all day so this keeps me sane.

I also read/browse the internet, phone a friend or browse a local shop if I'm near one. All things I don't get to do other times.

If I spot an empty or quiet play park I take the baby in, he is sill young enough to enjoy a few minutes on the swing or slide without moaning for longer.

If I had an hour?

I'd swim or sit on the beach and chill out. Again both things I don't get to do ever. :)

5 minutes out and about - whip my book out and spend the time trying to remember where I was because my bookmark's fallen out, or make a shopping list and possibly do some Internet based admin (like banking!)

A whole hour - I'd go and have a massage and a manicure

Read something - I have the Kindle app on my phone so I don't even need to remember to take the kindle out with me, otherwise I look at Facebook and catch up with personal emails.

Make a phone call to one of my many friends or relatives who I just don't get time to call anymore since becoming a mum....it's a quick hello, how are you? It's never enough for a full on conversation but just enough to say I'm thinking about you, I miss you and is more personable than a text.

I'm doing a PhD so I either make notes in my trusty moleskin or I pick up something to read. I always have something with me. At other times I just enjoy the peace and stare into space.

Catch up on emails and facebook and maybe have a go on candy crush

Mumsnet, emails, facebook or read the news on my phone normally. If I had a whole hour spare I would probably read a book (but in reality would probably fall asleep after 10 minutes!)

I generally potter about on the internet and I keep a book in the glove box in case the kids fall asleep on the way somewhere in the car.

I had this on Saturday. I went to the local gastropub, sat on the patio in the shade drinking a lovely, refreshing sodawater and lime, and had freshly BBQ'd lamb skewers with flat bread to eat. Was absolute bliss.

meditate
solve a crossword
email
facebook
take a photo

Honestly? I get out my emery board and file my nails!! Not very hi tech, but i Love a bit of impromptu grooming!!! :-)

will Barclays make me a new app then?

hmm. I like all their apps. especially their homeowner app.

I would read medical kindle books on ipad mini or pull out pharmacology flash cards from my bag *not very exciting. If no ipad or flashcards, I would read a book or in absolute case of emergency go on twitter and read what's going on. and drink coffee.

I'm not a very sociable person really so with things like the school run I try and get there without any time to spare but in instances where I do have a few minutes:

• I also take my kindle to most places with me. I work in a library so I do read plenty of 'real' (IYSWIM) books too, but the kindle is so lightweight and also means I'm not wasting the spare 5 minutes faffing about with a bookmark that's fallen out in my bag etc. I get the bus to work and enjoy reading on the relatively short journey. And I have lots of 'a few minutes spare' waiting for buses.

• I love my puzzle magazine (Beyond Sudoku, it's got lots of different logic puzzles) although I am less likely to take it out with me - I generally prefer to spend ages on one puzzle til it's finished rather than dipping in and out.

• Eat whatever is lurking in my bag

• Check MN or FB if my 3G is working (I used to do this a lot more, when I had an iPhone!)

• Games on my phone (again not so much now I'm not on iOS) or on iPad if I'm at home.

• Come up with lists in my head, eg things I need on next shopping order, what my next thing to declutter in my house should be, things to do in summer. Sometimes I write them on my phone.

• However if it really is just 5 minutes outside I am most likely to just sit/lean against something and enjoy the peace and quiet!

If I had an hour in total I would probably dedicate it to reading - I really don't do this as much as I'd like.

I sometimes also phone my mum or dad, or DH. I don't generally speak to many other people on the phone (shy)

I read my kindle, watch re runs if my fave comedy's on tv or on DVD.
Have a loooonnng bath.
Browse around gift shops and have a coffee at a cafe....all things that a slightly traumatic with dc in tow!

I keep my Kindle in my handbag at all times!

So 5 minutes here or there is used to keep up with my reading.

An hour truly free (yeah, alright, like thats gonna happen :o) I would go to the lovely tea shop in town, order an afternoon cream tea and read!