dlk30341, I'm very surprised with those times. I have normal times.
Regarding saving time, are you sure you don't have "compressed" activated in the save dialog box? Regarding render times, are you sure you have "shadow smoothing" off in the light tab of the atmosphere settings? This is only necessary in special situations.
Are you sure you have light quality at -1 or even lower? This only needs to be above this in special situations too.