How do you handle friends trying to take up every moment of your time?

it's funny how BEING NICE can have u bound like this... it's gonna hurt cause u seem to care what they think but if u want to maintain ur sanity u need to be honest... i wouldn't be that needy to come hang all the time but i would appreciate honesty if it was me... tell them u want some alone time and once or twice a month on the weekend u guys can get together and go out but u want to start relaxing at home together more and there's other stuff that u need to focus on. if they act crazy and have a problem then u don't need them cause they aren't friends... they are selfish and too damned needy. it's time to man up! good luck.

close the blinds, and don't answer the door. if you have caller ID, don't answer the phone. it worked for me.

Just be straight forward and honest with them. Tell them they must call before dropping by and you are available only at certain times that you specify. They have to respect that or you can't be friends with them.

i can definitely relate to you and i am still trying to figure out what to do..
sometimes i dont answer my phone.. and my phone rings 2 or 3 time BANG...!! they are at my place... (of course i tell em the mobile was i silent mode...) but i guess we can figure out something on time (they dont simply say "necessity is the mother of invention") but the good thing i guess as people say is to tell them you wont be at times available..