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This debt must go
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Could he manage emptying the smaller wastepaper bins, perhaps? It's tricky to think of jobs suitable for one that small isn't it, but I agree, he need a "responsible" type job or he'll feel left out. That or if you have low-level food cupboards can he be your assistant when he arrive home with shopping to be put away? It's such a good idea getting them into the habit of small stuff like that too.Fly lady still ongoing. DH remarked last night how nice it is to have an empty sink at the end of each day. Our bedroom is also looking a lot better too. I'm finding it easier to just do small little jobs now as I go rather than letting them build up into bigger jobs.
Yep - told you! Astonishing how such a small amount of time each day can make such an impact, but of course while that timer is set you don;t get distracted away from your task do you, so you accomplish much more than you would without the timer, I think. :T🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her0 -
EssexHebridean wrote: »but of course while that timer is set you don;t get distracted away from your task do you, so you accomplish much more than you would without the timer, I think. :T
Oh yes I agree. Take earlier for example. No timer set as I was just going to set the dining table with the christmas things. Easy task yes? Well I went into the kitchen to get anti-bac spray and a cloth, but walking into the kitchen I noticed that the washing machine had finished so I pulled out a few items and took them into the front room to put on the radiator. Job done, I notice a cup on the floor which I pick up and take through to the kitchen to wash. Cup washed and put on draining board I pull more clothes out of the washing machine to put on radiator in hallway. Then I notice someone has pushed a card through the door, so I pick it up, open it and go looking for a peg to hang it on the string we use for our christmas cards.While looking for a peg I notice that the bins are still outside the back gate (bin day) so I put shoes on and bring them in. Coming back into the kitchen I realise I was in here for anti-bac, so I go in the cupboard to get it and take it into the dining room. Then I remember the table cloth is upstairs, so I go upstairs to get it, taking some clothes that were on the stairs and put them away. I open DS's curtains while I'm in there and pick up a beaker to take downstairs to wash.....
15 minutes later I still haven't set the table :rotfl:I used the timer on the second try!
Goals for FebruaryDeclutter 2/50Money Made £0/£200Overpayments £0/£2000 -
Yes! That's exactly what I find myself doing!! One thing I do occasionally find works for me though is the "treasure trail" method - so walk into a room and pick up the first thing you see that should be somewhere else. Take that to where it needs to be, then find a thing in that room that should be somewhere else...and so on.🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her0 -
I have visions of myself wandering round the house on a never ending loop :eek: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Glad things are getting nicely done Starnac, well done you! :j :j0 -
I could spend all day doing the "treasure trail". Maybe it's something I could delegate to the kids to occupy them on rainy days :rotfl:Goals for FebruaryDeclutter 2/50Money Made £0/£200Overpayments £0/£2000
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We had a chat last night as a family and DS would like to be in charge of laying the table so we've agreed that I will give him the cutlery and he will put them on the table next to people's places. He seems very happy with this arrangement so I'm pleased too.
I can't believe it's Christmas eve! I am so not ready for Christmas. Practically or emotionally! Not only have I not wrapped everything but I just don't feel ready if you know what I mean? I feel quite panicked that my kids won't enjoy tomorrow but I also feel extreme guilt that my two are so lucky compared to some. I don't feel that I've done enough to help others this year. The past couple of years we have given presents to a young mum and her baby but our contact with her has changed jobs so we weren't able to pass on presents this year.
We did buy a present for Operation Santa which is run by our local council. Basically they give a list of children who might not get presents and you can pick a child based on sex and age. DD chose a 6-12month old boy so we bought a present and sent it on but, I don't know, it doesn't feel the same. It felt like a cop out. Is that silly?
Anyway, end of year coming up and I need to make goals for 2016. Debt freedom is actually in our grasp this year with only overdrafts to clear. We do have 3 between us so not exactly a small task but combined, they are still less than what we have cleared in previous years so it is definitely doable! :T
Anyone else setting goals for next year?Goals for FebruaryDeclutter 2/50Money Made £0/£200Overpayments £0/£2000 -
Aw starnac, your children will have a lovely Christmas, I'm sure of it! And as for not doing enough for other people, you've done what you can - and if you don't feel it's enough why not set a family 'giving' goal for next year? Maybe not money, but finding a different way to help someone each month or something? Or perhaps some family volunteering if that's a feasible thing to do near you?
Well done on the debt clearance! :j :j0 -
Cheery_Daff wrote: »if you don't feel it's enough why not set a family 'giving' goal for next year? Maybe not money, but finding a different way to help someone each month or something? Or perhaps some family volunteering if that's a feasible thing to do near you?
Thanks Cheery. Yes I have a plan for next year. Well the first quarter anyway.There are quite a few (10+ I think) of my running club running the London Marathon in April, each one for a different charity. That's a lot of sponsorship so the club has decided we will host a fundraising night and all the money will go in a big pot which will be shared equally between the charities. I've spoken to the secretary and with her blessing in the run up to the Marathon I will make various items which I will sell and donate the money to the fundraising pot. I may as well use my skill to help others.
Goals for FebruaryDeclutter 2/50Money Made £0/£200Overpayments £0/£2000 -
Oh that's a lovely idea! :j Yes, great to use your skills (which are many and vast!)
LOoking forward to hearing all about it
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Happy new year everyone.
Did you all have a nice christmas??
Ours was quiet on the day. My mum and sister came down to watch the kids open their presents, then we went to church, then we came home and just chilled for the rest of the day. We spent boxing day at my parents and then travelled to see the in laws after that. We came home a few days ago and are making the most of the time together before DH goes back to work and the kids go back to school.
I know a few of you will "get" this so I'd like to share it as I was very impressed. As you know I've been dabbling with flylady and our sink has not looked cleaner since we bought it :rotfl: anyway while DH was sorting the suitcases out and packing up the car to get ready to see the inlaws, I spent the time in the kitchen washing and putting away the dishes and wiping down the counters. I may even have swept the floor as I had a bit of extra time. Normally I haven't got time to do housework on the day we leave as I'm rushing around but I made the time and it was so easy as there wasn't that much to do as I've been keeping on top of things. :T I couldn't believe it. And then to top it all off when we got home after a week away the kitchen was clean :T It was such a great feeling to come home to a clean kitchen. I'm hoping that by the next time we go away the front room will be like that too. Little and often really works.
I know this may seem like common sense to most people but it's been such an eye opener for me, who leaves everything to the last minute and spends 2 hours cleaning for visitors to come round :eek:Goals for FebruaryDeclutter 2/50Money Made £0/£200Overpayments £0/£2000
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