Stay at home mums getting organised in 2010

SugarSpun

We don't have a dishwasher and I hate hate hate it. We'll be moving sometime soon, and when we do a dishwasher will be all the way up on my list.

I_want_a_baby

mummyroysof3
Your sandwiches will be fine, I always used to make mine the night before.
Salady items are better left until the morning but even if you do them the night before they are ok.

I have a slimline dishwasher and it was a great help when I was pregnant and tired, haven't used it much since i've had tom but think it will come more into use when he is older/i have more kids.
At the moment if we fill the dishwasher up it takes 2/3 days so can't really get into a routine with it.

Mel - my routine for Laundry is =
Afternoon - put a load of washing on
Evening - put washing on airer
Morning take the dry items (or nearly dry) off airer and put in tumble dryer for 10 mins, immediately take out and fold into washing basket.
Afternoon - put washing away and bring another load down.

Ironing gets done as and when we need something ironed but I would say 95% of things don't NEED to be ironed. I was horrified when my cousin told me that she never irons and used the above method as I used to iron everything but I have to say I am converted!!

3_cheeky_princesses

I loves my dishwasher :smileyhea I never thought i needed one until we were given one that was only a few months old. Now i couldnt be without it. Takes a couple minutes in the morning to un-load whilst the toast is in and i am making hot choccies for the kids then we load up during the day as and when. We then put it on last thing at night.

It would be a nightmare to keep washing all the glasses, dishes, plates etc with 6 of us now!

Curious_George_2

Curious_George wrote: »

to do (some of this is for today - some is for the week)

pick up prescription DONE
make spag bol DONE
do as much washing / drying as possible DONE
fill dishwasher / wash up DONE
take clothes upstairs
sort DDs school uniform for tomorrow DONE
tidy bathroom
humour my mother when she visits later DONE
find envelopes for home made thank you cards
SEND home made thank you cards
find DSs developmental check letter DONE
get DD to clean out hamster
inventory cupboards / fridge freezer and do meal planner
try to find my marbles HOPELESS CASE

In my defence the kitchen took forever... and i did make home made sauce with a ton of hidden veg for the spag bol....
and...
and.....
well the day aint over yet!

RoxieW

I absolutely adore my dishwasher as much as it is possible to adore a kitchen appliance lol. my one big regret in life is that I didnt buy one sooner! I always used to hate standing over the kitchen sink after tea while everyone else went off into the lounge to relax/play. And it was the number one cause of domestic arguements between me and my OH. A dishwasher has really lightened my daily load - I love it. Only downside is the electric that it uses to run

RoxieW

Week 1/52 - Theme - Food Shopping

1. Do you do your food shop in-store or online & why?
Online - easier and frees up weekends as I dont have a car. Also saves dragging OH and 3 kids around shops. Tesco mostly - sometimes asda. Tesco as I have my favourites saved so is easier. Small top up shops at local supermarket/town once a week (bread, milk, fruit etc.)

2. How often do you do the food shopping?
Once a fortnight on average big shop - once a week small top up shop.

3. What is your food shopping budget (if you have one) and what/who does that cater for?
Normally spend approx £500/£600 a month. Hoping to spend £400 a month this year as are saving. Difficult as I buy all organic. That's 2 adults, 2 boys and a baby still in nappies.

4. Do you find your budget is sufficient?

5. Do you keep a price book? (if yes please describe it)

6. Do you regulary use coupons/store 'points' cards?
Collect clubcard points

7. If you use coupons/cards how do you organise them?

8. Name 3 items of the 'value' range you would recommend to anyone.

9. Name 3 items you must have at brand level
Beans, ketchup, cornflakes.

10. What one thing do you most struggle with/annoys you the most/you would like to do better when it comes to the food shop.
Organic food so much more expensive. I always spend too much.

redmel1621

I_want_a_baby wrote: »

mummyroysof3
Your sandwiches will be fine, I always used to make mine the night before.
Salady items are better left until the morning but even if you do them the night before they are ok.

I always did my kids packed lunch the night before, they never complained:p

I have a slimline dishwasher and it was a great help when I was pregnant and tired, haven't used it much since i've had tom but think it will come more into use when he is older/i have more kids.
At the moment if we fill the dishwasher up it takes 2/3 days so can't really get into a routine with it.

Ours is FULL every day, there is 5 of us and ds3 is now on 3 meals a day...plus snacks

Mel - my routine for Laundry is =
Afternoon - put a load of washing on
Evening - put washing on airer
Morning take the dry items (or nearly dry) off airer and put in tumble dryer for 10 mins, immediately take out and fold into washing basket.
Afternoon - put washing away and bring another load down.

Ironing gets done as and when we need something ironed but I would say 95% of things don't NEED to be ironed. I was horrified when my cousin told me that she never irons and used the above method as I used to iron everything but I have to say I am converted!!

Thank you for your laundry schedule:) it all helps me to gather ideas for my own routine....
I never used to iron a thing, but for the last couple of years have started doing the school things and anything that is majorly creased, or needs to look smart for an 'occasion'

weezl74

RoxieW wrote: »

Organic food so much more expensive. I always spend too much.

saw that this is 2 for £1 at asda at the moment roxie, and thought of you. That's only about 1p per 100g dearer than asda smart price! You could stock up and make loads of 25p a head meals :money:

rainbow81

Week 1/52 - Theme - Food Shopping


1. Do you do your food shop in-store or online & why?
In store as I don't really have a plan and just go from day to day.

2. How often do you do the food shopping?
Every few days I will pick up something for that day's dinner, or something I need for a packed lunch.

3. What is your food shopping budget (if you have one) and what/who does that cater for?
I don't have one! Not sure how much I spend just for me and DS, he won't eat a large variety of foods so I sort of stick to what we know. It was a lot more when ex-OH was around as he was a big carnivore.

4. Do you find your budget is sufficient?
See above.

5. Do you keep a price book? (if yes please describe it)
Nay. I haven't a clue if something is expensive or cheap.

6. Do you regulary use coupons/store 'points' cards?
I use tesco clubcard and also nectar card. I never remember to take the coupons in though.

7. If you use coupons/cards how do you organise them?
Cards in my purse, coupons either at home somewhere or crumpled in the bottom of my bag!

8. Name 3 items of the 'value' range you would recommend to anyone.
Smartprice lemon squash, onions, tinned tomatoes.

9. Name 3 items you must have at brand level
Marmite, posh baked beans, cornflakes.

10. What one thing do you most struggle with/annoys you the most/you would like to do better when it comes to the food shop.
I would like to have a plan so I waste less food and time and money.

Please feel free to add any top tips...
Buy loads of bread and milk and put them in the freezer so you never have to pop to the supermarket just for these items and leave £30 lighter!

holliegarson

Right - children in bed and am absolutley knacker*d! Full on day here - daughter on bed rest and running round after her every whim. DS back to school tommorow and book bag still on missing list. Still shoes are shone, uniform laid out and games kit named and packed so not all bad.

New Term - New Year - New Me!!!

Tommorow am going to tackle my wardrobe and chest of drawers........

I x