How to organise everything in my life OS?

lilmisskitkat

I'm not as organised as i'd like to be, i do love lists and have them for everything but as for meal/cleaning plans, something always seems to crop up and get in the way :rolleyes:

I have an A5 pukka pad with 3 sections, the first is devoted to food, meal plans, shopping lists, storecupboard essentials list. Recipes to try are slotted into the little pocket bit and if they're a success they go into my big recipe file (though i tend to get most recipes online now).

Second section is about our family, important numbers, list of DD's after school stuff, parties, birthdays list, addresses of distant family/friends for xmas cards, whats in my present/card box, when insurance renewals are due, tax for car, dentist check ups, PNE's fixtures list :rolleyes: , school holiday timetable etc

Third section is for money, my monthly budget is written out, all direct debits kept track of (even though i do online banking i like to have it written down for when i can't easily get online), things for the new house, all the measurements and things we need to buy plus a wish list . Also a track of my savings for xmas, list of things we need for baby - this also includes the RRP of things and the price i actually got them for in sales/ebay/loot/gumtree etc so i can see how much i've saved.

Also have a diary in my handbag for a quick look at the week ahead and to scrawl things in until i get home, this includes all appointments etc

I do have a wipe clean board in the kitchen but DD keeps writing things like 'I love Troy (HSM)' and OH writes rude messages :rolleyes: or defaces it with PNE scrawlings :mad: So my important stuff never stays on there for long!

Kate xxx

victotoro

@ icecubequeen - many thanks

*runs off to load staples website*

EagerLearner

For food planning I have a whiteboard (well, silver) in the kitchen where we plan 2 weeks at a time. Works really well and has I am sure saved us a fortune, as with the board we make much smaller shopping lists - on each meal, I underline the item(s) that are missing and that we need to shop for. I also have a square on the lower right, where I scribble in things that are generally running low as I remember them. Then transcribe all to a list.

We buy all bulky things (semi-skimmed longlife milk, tonic water, tinned goods, toilet roll etc) online every 6-8 weeks and try to get coupon evouchers to get money off (ie £5 off a £50 spend).

I have started a Household manual - for now it only has contact numbers and account numbers for joint bills, such as gas, elec, council tax etc. Plus at the front it has a To Do list for general house tasks.

In my handbag I have a small notebook which I use for tracking daily spending... so I don't 'forget' where all those cash withdrawals go! I then transfer it all to MS Money around twice a month. This also where I scribble notes, things I want to buy, web addresses etc from say reading magazines or listening to radio about things I'd like to research.

I have to admit after much trying different systems, that the only thing I can easily work on re spreadsheets is budgets. The rest all comes down to paper!

icecubequeen

victotoro wrote: »

@ icecubequeen - many thanks

*runs off to load staples website*

Not sure it's on there, as I looked earlier before I replied to your previous post, so I could link you to it on the website.

I brought mine from in store, and could'nt see it on the website, so think it may be an instore item only?

ceridwen

Skint_Catt wrote: »

This is my spreadsheet for meal planning - gets shifted around pretty much daily but I fill it in in advance with things I want, things I have in the freezer and quick meals when I've put down we're going out etc.

Now THAT is what I call organised - steps back in amazement!

EagerLearner

Skint_Catt that's amazing - I have to ask though, what kind of meal is Mug Shot?

Skint_Catt

A mug shot is a cup-a-soup type thing but its more pasta. The green and red on the left are my Slimming World days (they don't always tally as I move meals around but not the colours!) and Mug SHots are free on green - and good for lunch!

angelavdavis

I am not brilliant and luckily my OH is lovely and does the ironing/clothes washing and washing up as I work away quite a bit. I have a few ways I try to keep on top of things:

Cooking: I am similar to thriftlady, I keep a list of freezer contents by drawer on the door of the fridge/freezer. This helps me keep track of what is in there without me sitting there for ages with the doors wide open!

I also keep a list of storecupboard ingredients too.

I use the SC at least once a week to make a stew, curry, etc.

I then have a shopping list - held in place by a fridge magnet, that I update as things run out.

I also have routines:

Every Sunday (or Monday if we are out) - make rolls for lunches in BM
1 Sunday every 2 months - on the back of a shop I batch cook bolognaise, chilli, moussaka, fish pies and shepherds pies for the freezer.

Cleaning:

-I keep all my cleaning materials in a carry box.
-I keep a cloth soaked in detergent in the bottom of the kitchen pedal bin under the bag to soak up any liquids that might escape. Every time the bin is emptied (usually every day or every other day) we wipe over the inside of the bin with this cloth, rinse through then rinse in detergent. This stops nasty pools of liquids congealing in the bottom :eek:
-Hoover once a week
-Dust once a week
-Wipe out one cupboard a week in the kitchen - I gradually move around the kitchen that way!
- iron once a week

MrDT

Here's one of the spreadsheets I tried for April:

menu page


detail page


each meal has an identifier and category. in the menu page you'll see weetabix breakfast preceded by a '1', reference for weetabix breakfast is item 1 on the breakfast page. the meal category pages eg 'breakfast' list all the meals and the ingredients needed. gives you a list of exactly what you need for the month.

great in theory, not so much in practice - after a few days i got bored and just ate whatever i wanted :rotfl:

if anyone wants a copy of the spreadsheet (i guess it could be useful if you stick to plans rigidly) let me know and i'll send you a copy. personally, from now on i'm sticking to paper, pen, and a wipeclean board :rolleyes:

oh you'll need to change the recipe quantities as i'm only feeding myself, but it's pretty easy adding new ones to the list.

ps - told you i've a habit of taking things 'too far' lol!

Mrs_Weasley

I'm sure its not just me .... but i can't get organised!!! Have been lurking a nd posting for a while now so i know what to do, i just struggle to put it all into practice:o

I've got loads of things i need to/ want to do, i just end up chasing my tail! Its not that i'm lazy cos all i seem to do (apart from when i'm sat at comp Reading various threads )is run round here there and everywhere! I know i need to be more organised which is easier said than done:rolleyes:

I've done a list and am going to try and work my way through it and see if i can work through the jumble (even this post is jumbled!)

1. stop smoking! (stop smoking thread)

2. have old dog put down (can't bring myself to do it!)

3. tell DB i want to finish 1 shift at work (currently do 7 3hour shifts spread out over 5 days, simplifying life thread!)

4. Cut tips to sainsburys to once a week (grocery challenge)

5. organise meals (meal planning)

6. organise cleaning (fly lady, don't want to do it everyday!)

7. decorate DS bedroom (still thomas the tank engine poor lads 7!)

8. decorate mine and OH bedroom (not been done since we moved here 6 years ago!)

9. decorate hall (started not finished Oh did't do his bit don't ask!!)

:eek: Thats what i can think of so far brain getting addled now:rolleyes: Don't get me wrong we have sorted a lot of things out its feels like the list is never going to end and i would like to spend some quality time with my family!!

suggestions welcome