I am a married man that like to hobby from time to time. Obviously I find clever ways to cover my tracks so that my SO does not become suspicious. In the summer this is especially easy because I use golf as my cover up because it takes 4 hours plus to finish. I usually hibernate in the winter because i have not thought of a clever excuse to block out the time. I could take off work of course but that's not really something I'd like to do all the time. Now fall and winter are approaching,  and I think I've met a sweet provider that I would like to get to know.

I think those are the most common ones but certainly it depends on your lifestyle/occupation, I think attorneys and Doctors have a lot of flexibility because of patients, cases, meetings etc, so do realtors, accountants etc.. even entrepreneurs can also have meetings for a "super secret new business venture for which I signed a non disclosure form" right?

She'll never believe you, and you'll spare yourself the bad karma of telling a lie.

if I could cover enough time with a haircut and not come back home with my hair trimmed.

Just tell her you need a massage.  Find a masseur who will say you are a client, and you are all clear

going to the  Gym ,works every time...

it covers alot, & when ya come home you can head for the shower & she wont question it, or shower before ya come back & you dnt have to worry about her being suspicious if ya smell a little cleaner frm a dif scented soap/shampoo....

I shop at Winn Dixie, because no way in hell I am dealing with all that mess to save a few bucks, but it is a good excuse. Just make sure you go back home with some groceries.

how about Christmas shopping during the appropriate time.  When is her B-day you can go shopping before that.  If your a fisherman that is a great excuse, it takes many hours and you can stop by the grocery store and pick-up some whole fish to take home.  You can also just come home empty handed.  No smelling like fish jokes guys...LOL   Good Luck My Friend..

along to use after dates. It is safer to smell the same scent all the time.

Try "I'm going out for a while, want me to pick something up for you.". Then she'll make the assumption you are going to a store or mall.  No lies!

If you do the activity 3/4 of the time...  and skip once in a while you are good.  I sometimes shop at Home Depot or Harbor Freight or ??  and leave the package in my trunk.  A couple of day's later, I bring it in the house in the store bag.  
Gym works for some but would never work for me.  Pick a gym in the opposite direction.  Other activities...  biking, walking, photography, what ever works for you.  It's not bad if the wife wants to participate with you sometimes...  just not something or time / place she'll be able to do all the time.  
You need to work on varying your routines too.  If you get out of work at 5 and are in the door at 5:25 every day, any break in the routine is a topic for discussion.  Varying the routine, the route you take home, stopping for a coffee, mix it up.

by telling that  you are going to  surprise her .. and going to shop ( and in fact you already  bough present way in advance ..)  
 let say .. yes ..from victoria secret.. Your wife be very happy then  and you can do her longer becuase you be satisfied already by provider  so can last longer ..
ha ha ah  

Hunting trips are a good excuse for time away in fall and winter. Fishing for spring and summer