How to organise everything in my life OS?

[Deleted User]

I'm fed up. My life, house, draws, cupboards and under the bed are all in a mess.

I haven't cleaned for ages as I can't get around all my stuff and with a 2yr old DS its already difficult!

My husband and I have decided we need to get organised, save money and use our time effeciently.

We've decided this but where do we start? I use to class my mess as organised but it certainly isn't anymore!

I wanted to start with a housework time table but I'm stuck?

Tidiness it seems to elude me, any ideas?

metherer

Ok, first things first, read the moggins household manual thread. Its stuffed to the gills with good advice.

Then, if it helps (if not, ignore me) do as my hubby and I have done - a school timetable.

I sat down with hubby to work out just how much time each day can be spent on cleaning. Ie if you are home all day, but want to spend time with your DS, then I'd start with 8 hours (9-5) then take off time for meals, then take off time you want to spend with DS. This can be your starting point. (9-5 because I'm of the opinion running a home can be just as much work as paid employment.)

Then, work out how many times a week/fortnight/month each room needs doing, and how long it would take to do (clean) from scratch. For example, I think it takes my husband an hour to do the bathroom top to bottom, and in our house it needs doing twice a week.

Then, make yourself a timetable like you had at school. As an example, this is our monday.
9 - 11. Kitchen
11-12. Laundry. This includes everything from weekend, ie bedding.
12 - 1. Bins and recycling.
1 - 2. Lunch break.
2 - 5. Living room.

This allows for cleaning top to bottom. However, we aren't starting with immaculate rooms, so in the first week we might not get any actual cleaning done. However we would use the allotted time to tidy up and sort out. Then, next time that room has time allocated we might get some cleaning done.

This is also a pretty relaxed timetable. I think it probably takes about an hour to do the living room, but I know he won't be able to resist the lure of the dvd player, so gives him time to watch some River Cottage, then do some cleaning!

If you like the idea, I can let you know the rest of our days.

We don't have kids, but when we do have we're going to try and get them involved, as I think they should learn from an early age. So, if tidying your DS' room, I'd get him to collect, for example, everything blue into one pile to aid with colours. you can also build counting into it too. Make it fun.

Hope this helps. As i said, if not, feel free to ignore it!

Metherer
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[Deleted User]

Metherer

That's a good idea about working 9-5. I guess my job is looking after the home.

I like your flexible time table I think that's what we would need, maybe I was thinking to regimented. I have to go to college and do work experience (start Uni next year to become a primary teacher!) and my husband is SE so felixability is what we need.

I'm trying to get DS to clean and he is quite good but I never thought of turning it into a game.

Could you point me in the direction of the thread you mentioned?

I hope to be organised by next year maybe we should do a TV programme! :rotfl:

metherer

honey if I'm organised in two years it will be a miracle!
Our problem is we got married 4 months ago, and he moved in with me shortly after, in a bit of a rush So we have boxes everywhere. Driving me mad. However, i'm out of the house 10.5 hours a day with work, and coz he isn't as physically able as others, housework takes a lot out of him. So, from next week I'm cutting down to 4 days a week. Bit nervous salary wise, but it will be good to get things done.

Oh, and when I mentioned it is relaxed, it includes 2 mornings a week in town, and a day and a half on his allotment! Sometimes I think I'm too soft on him..

Here's the thread - its fab. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=214139


Hope it helps you.

Metherer
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squeaky

Take a look in the Getting Started section of the MEGA Index. There are lots of threads that you can browse for inspiration and ideas.

Just don't sit here all night reading...

metherer

Aww, why not? Thats half the fun!

[Deleted User]

squeaky wrote:

Take a look in the Getting Started section of the MEGA Index. There are lots of threads that you can browse for inspiration and ideas.

Just don't sit here all night reading...

I'm just finished studying Psychology and doing something which isn't necessary when something else needs doing is called displacement activity. :rotfl:

So to night I'll mainly be displacing my activity and tomorrow there will be a new (trying to clean) Nicci

squeaky

It's also why you never get anything done!

taplady

Metherer your timetable is a really good idea!:T

csarina

There is also a thread somewhere with a reply by Tootles giving her method of cleaning a room..........staring at the same point everytime and working round the room, perhaps one of the mods can find it for you.......

csarina

I just found it, it was 11th April in a thread Cleaning the good ol'days.....