Time effective old style tips?

Marm0set11

Hi everyone!
I have lurked around this board for the last few months, and I have picked up lots of great advice from many threads. I am definitely making progress with meal planning, budgeting etc, so thank you all for the wise words!:D
However, I do struggle to get everything done. I am a full-time student, and work part-time (about 20hrs per week during term time, more in holidays). I also try to maintain a healthy social life! My boyfriend works mon-fri 9-5 and is pretty good at doing his fair share around the house.
Unfortunately, I just don't seem to have enough time to do everything I would like to. Our flat is a state at the moment, but I have too much uni work to do, which I feel I need to get done first
So, I was just wondering how you all manage your time and get everything that you need to done? Can you please help me out with any tips or secrets you have?
Thanks for reading this!
M x

curlytop12

hi there.am not a great time-organiser but i do the following which really helps-before i do the weekly shop i go through cupboards and fridge and freezer and write down all i've got,then see what i need to add to make meals,then make a shopping list.i have a notebook stuck on fridge where i write things i run out of at the time.i go shopping on my way home from work so i don't need an extra journey/more time.
i used to wander round the shops hoping fro inspiration on the meal front,buy a load of stuff,then get home to realise there wasn't an actual meal amongst it all!
Good luck.
G

Marm0set11

Your description of aimlessly wandering around the supermarket sounds like me! I think I'm going to pinch your idea of a notebook on the fridge if you don't mind, I am always having to pop to the corner shop for stuff that we've run out of, when I could have got it at the supermarket.
I think getting organised is probably going to be key to saving myself time in the long run, it's just knowing where to begin that's difficult!
Thanks again Gem68! x

happierdaystocome

I was a full-time student and worked part-time (msot weeks closer to full-time and was a single parent to two.

I know work full-time (off sick at the moment) study part-time and live with OH, 2 kids and a dog.

I shop on line as with menu planning I can just add what I need from my previous shops to the basket or type in the item I want. I know this means I may miss deals but it's nothing to the time money I waste if I go the shops.

I have started doing fly lady which helps me keep on top of my cleaning.

Previously I time tabled everything, I had proforma on my computer which changed weekly and I broke my time down to half hour slots and allocated time for everything I had to do that weeks

So I had uni, self study, work, cleaning, leisure time, kids activities, travel(as I dont drive I would use this to study), shopping, cooking,etc and each would be cololur coded.


It sounds a bit mental doesnt it but it ment that I was less likely to waste time.

Marm0set11

My gosh, happierdaystocome, your life sounds very hectic! I'm seriously impressed with everything you manage to do.

Online shopping may well be the way forward, I do end up spending
ages wandering about the supermarket getting distracted by special offers or other shiny exciting things. Out of interest, is it quite quick to actually do the online shop? I think tesco, asda and sainsburys all deliver to our area so we would have a good choice.

Sorry if I'm being dozy, what is flylady?

Thanks for your help so far!

happierdaystocome

Flylady is the thread on the OS Baord here is the link to this weeks, ihints and tips to how it works are on thefirst two posts.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3165360

I found that online can take a bit of time in the beginning but know that the things I use regularlly are in my fav's that it takes me 15/20 min depending on if I'm being distracted by kids pestering me to add junk to my order.

Triggles

As far as cleaning is concerned, you can save a lot of time doing little things as you come across them. If you're in the bathroom, brushing your teeth, take an extra minute to clean the sink and/or mirror afterwards. If you're chatting on the phone to a friend, wipe down counters or cupboard doors while you're chatting. If you're watching a television programme, set up the ironing board and do your ironing, or sort and fold clothing while you're watching. Tidy up the kitchen while you're doing a meal. Tidy up the bathroom while your bath water is filling up. Just little tasks that don't take long while you're already in the room can make a huge difference. Jot down a "to do" list and tick it off as you go - shows you that you ARE making progress, which provides incentive to keep going.

MrsChaos

Have a look at the weekly flylady thread here on the Old Style board. The support is great, not just with sorting the house, and you'd be made welcome.

spandles

Hi. At night time I sort out my washing, then when I get up it's ready to bung in and switch on. It's then ready to hang out just before I leave for work. I don't iron either so theres time saved too. (I do DH work shirts thats all).

I'd like to be able to get up earlier in the mornings to get more things done but really struggle as I'm quite lazy!!!!

mrswive

Something I've discovered is that it's surprising how much you can do in 5, 10 or 15 minutes eg. clear and/or clean a shelf, a table, a corner of the room or anything else you can think of. My fridge gets cleaned a shelf at a time which I find so much easier than cleaning the whole thing at once. A friend of mine, the busiest person I know, uses TV ad breaks to do little jobs. Lots of little bits here and there all add up and you don't get the feeling of being overpowered by the enormity of it all.

cat_smith

Can't recommend flylady enough. Also planning menus in advance of shopping - it's cut the time it takes me to shop in half. Have you got a freezer? If so, batch cooking and freezing will save time down the line.