Tips and Quick Questions on “How To Start Being Old Style”

JackieRHE

Sooetie wrote: »

ROFLMAO @ bluebag

btw found a jelli baby under the sofa

You could look at it as the start of a new storecupboard:)

blossomhill_2

JackieRHE wrote: »

Would you be able to build a routine for one aspect of your life, say meal planning? If you concentrate on this for a couple of months you will cut down on shopping and food prep times as you will be able to bulk cook, budget and throw away less food

What a good suggestion, I'll try this
When I used to be more organised I also did things like chop up a whole bag of onions and loose freeze them then pop them in a container and dip into them in the freezer when I needed a handful - meant I wasn't always washing up stinky chopping boards and knives

Ilona

Hi MaddyWaddy. First of all, it's the gloomy weather that makes it harder to get motivated. I had a 'stuff it, can't be bothered' day the other day, then the next day it was sunny and I was dancing around to rock and roll music. So put a cd on and chill for an hour or so, and stuff the housework.

It's making small changes and prioritising really. For instance, I don't care if there is dust about in my house, it isn't going to kill me. But I do care about what I put in my mouth, because the wrong food will end up killing me.

Don't beat yourself up about it, even super organised superwomen are not perfect. You are who you are. One tip to help you along the way, if you choose to take note, don't buy food out, take your own healthy pack ups from home. No snacking, crisps, chocolate, or fizzy drinks. Of course you could ignore me, it's your choice.
Lots of lurv, Ilona

Broomstick

Hiya -

My take on Flylady (the american site):

I think I must have been getting her emails for over ten years. :eek: My house is far from perfect and my sink is still not shiny on a regular basis and I am not wearing any shoes atm...:D but I give her my vote. I understand her system, take from it the things that work for me and view everything else with the attitude of 'That's an interesting thing for other people to try' or 'That's interesting, I'll give it a go some day and see if it's useful'. I use a timer, work in 15 minute slots then take a break (especially for jobs I loathe), declutter regularly - all these things work for me. Gradually, gradually, things happen and become part of everyday life. http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/ is the bit of the website designed for people who want to give it a go.

I'm not a 'babysteps' person by nature but I think Flylady has turned my thinking around despite the fact that I ignore a lot of it. You just can't make all the changes that you'd like to happen all at once. Ultimately, if you can bear the Flylady Americanisms, the relentless 'babysteps' and 'be gentle with yourself' messages do work and then things seem to move forward - for me anyway.

However, I took a look at the MSE Flylady threads and they scared me stiff! They seemed to bear no resemblence to the American version but clearly work for some people - each to their own!

B x

MaddyWaddy

Thank you to everyone who has replied, I did have to chuckle at some and my cupboards are definitely now brimming with food. :T

Thank you for the flylady, I have signed up and now have a clean sink … my hubby was cleaning the kitchen yesterday – he made tea and washed up :rotfl: – They do need specific instructions!

I have vaguely meal planned this week – We have at least 6 healthy meals planned and a convenience one for the day I really can't be bothered.

Thanks quintwins – I have now found it and book marked it for a later read.

They are good tips blossomhill – I will take them on board.

I have picked 2 jobs to get us started, once we have mastered these then we will be starting some more. I definitely get most stressed on a morning, sorting dinners and clothes for work and my mum (who looks after my little girl whilst i'm at work). I am hoping to start doing my lunches when I prepare tea … Thank you for the idea of soup whilst preparing Sunday lunch, I have both a slow cooker and a bread machine so will dust those off to use more regular I do love fresh bread.

I now have most of the kitchen tidy – my DD isn't well and has been back in bed for the last 2 hours so I have used this time to get some jobs done in the kitchen … it isn't perfect but it is clean, disinfected and ready for me to sort something for dinner …. since my little one isn't well this is a no fuss ready meal of quiche. Whilst I am preparing lunch and dinner I plan on giving the rest of the kitchen a de-clutter and the hob a quick once over … will just leave a mop then before bed.

JackieRHE – I lapse all the time hence the post … I also joined the £2 savers club and grocery challenge – I just forget to post … and I have raided the £2 more this year than anything else! Starting again though I have £2 :rotfl:

I work with Americans on a daily basis so can put up with that …. I have set my alarm for 15 minutes and flown today - living room de-cluttered ready for the hoover … My hubby tackled the ironing which he got down to 1 basket. There is now the entire weeks washing to tackle also… must try to do a load a day.

I really appreciate everyones advice – It is good to know other peoples routines when you are finding it hard establishing your own.

Thanks
MaddyWaddy

bluebag

What I find useful with laundry is having two mmaidens that can take a load each. I do a load of laundry each day and put it on a maiden. I hang as much as I can on hangers to save on ( ironing....shhhhh,)

I put a de-humidifier on for a few hours to increase the drying time and reduce the damp indoors.

I find I do just about keep up in winter, although do have to use the dryer for bedding and towels.

Summer I use the line if possible. Wash the evening before and fold it into a basket to go on the line first thing.

MaddyWaddy

Thanks bluebag ... I no longer have a dryer due to my electricity bill last year ... I now only have 1 load left to do

I do need to iron it all though as I use clothes horses (I am not sure what maidens are) I definately think I ought to start using hangers though to see if I can cut my ironing pile

mummybrook

Hello everybody. Although I have received the moneysavingexpert emails for some time and found them very useful, I've never really used the forum part of the site.

With our income going down and the cost of living soaring I think its time for our family to get back to basics.

I'm keen to get back to the old style of living, I look back to how my Gran and Mum managed on a meagre income and am sure I can too if I try hard enough.

Any tips on where to start would be gratefully appreciated, I didn't want to just start posting on other peoples threads without saying hello first

savingqueen

Hello and welcome mummybrook!

You will find lots of advice and tips (and support should you need it) here. Check out the stickies at the top of the board called Old Style Indexed Collections, lots on every topic from receipes to cleaning and loads more. If you want specific help, just ask!

sq:)

Lilyplonk

:wave: and welcome, mummybrook - you've certainly come to the most friendly/helpful part of mse.

Lots of people on here with great ideas for making our limited incomes go as far as possible.

Have a read through some of the threads and if you can't find anything that's applicable to your own situation, just 'ask away'........

Even if there's already a thread going, it will get merged with that one and throw up even more answers.

Best of luck with your 'change of mindset' and hope you manage to get your OH and family on board as soon as possible - Lilyplonk