Countdown to Freedom

Sepa74

I live alone and have a cleaner!

I think if you work full time, the cleaning is a real struggle on top of everything else it takes to keep a house running so if you can afford it, they are worth the money.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Brizzle, will definitely PM you as I have no clue about skiing but will be googling this afternoon as well.

Ald@ had some ski layer type stuff today but no idea whether they were good buys or not.

Thanks for your advice, Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Peonie, SSS and Sepa, advert in two local shops now - no clue whether that's the way to go but have used DH mobile no. I don't fancy a company as I tried that after my cleaner of many years left, and I never seemed to get the same person - then had to go through what needed dong and in the end decided it was quicker to do it myself. However, enough, I worked out the hours I do, the hours DH does and we are mad............so, I am looking for someone 3 times a week, two hours at a time. I am guessing this makes it an interesting option for someone as its a commitment for 6 hours per week regular work - fingers crossed someone calls!

DH works from home often, as do I so there probably would be someone here while they were settling in and I learn to trust them - I think as its been a few years since we had a cleaner I am out of the habit of having people in the house like that. Anyway, let's see if the phone rings.

Thanks for your views, it helps to know I am not just failing. I am working around 50-60 hours per week at the moment and fitting everything in is not the only problem, I feel physically tired by the end of the week. My exercise in the mornings has been a life saver as I am sure it is keeping me sane.

Wish me luck finding someone and now I need advice on pay rates - I have absolutely no idea. Years ago our previous cleaner was here for 8 hours per week and did all the washing, cleaning, cat sitting etc and I paid her £6.75 per hour. So going rate for cleaners needed please?

Thanks, Tilly x

Weronika

My friend is charging a min £7.5 (without ironing or anything like that) and you shouldn't have a problem finding somebody reliable at this rate. As with anything, couple pence extra can make all the difference in quality.

With 50-60 h/pw work you would be mad not to get a cleaner, it's definitely worth it!

(It's on my wish list for next Christmas, even 2 hr p/wk, but I'm not sure I will be able to come back to work and afford it just yet, but one can dream )

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Have had a lovely day. Larder area resorted and now on a spreadsheet - feels so much better :rotfl: I have that much stuff but it does all get used.

The ironing is also finished and third load of washing on. Plus we had a great walky/jog this morning. The exercise is definitely helping to off set stress. Mr Tilly and I do something each day and he is making me stick with it on days I feel less inclined.

Having a family meal this evening so DH is making a pud - am leaving him in the kitchen. Looking forward to a good old catch up.

We bought two chickens from Ald& today and DH has jointed, bagged, labelled and popped them in the freezer, plus I have the carcasses in the slow cooker with Chinese spices, onions, celery and it smells mmmmmm. Will take the meat off the bones, portion and freeze tomorrow. Finally I had a delivery from AppF - humongous tins of toms and red kidney beans were amongst the order, so I also have a vat of chilli cooking, ready for portioning, chilling and freezing. DS helped me to make it and I asked him why I would make such large quantities - bless - he can see it saves money and time and how else would we get fed quickly before we go out to activities? Hopefully these things will stay with him and he will use his money wisely - could this be wishful thinking?

Right, my bath beckons, along with face pack - have a good evening all, Tilly x

brizzledfw

Hello Tilly

Have just PM'd you by the way. sorry for the typos! I hit send before reading it and I never did touch typing at school:)

We have a brilliant cleaner for 3 hours a week. £8 ph. She is great - found via another neighbour...word of mouth is best I think if you can get personal recommendations..

She does cleaning, tidying and some ironing in that time BUT I do use it as an excuse to chivvy the DC into tidying up their rooms before she comes...after all she (and I!) are not their slave (although lord knows it feels like it sometimes!)

Its a real help and as you say...allows you to concentrate on other things...including cooking from scratch! money well spent I'd say.

BTW you may not need 6 hours...if you find the right person I'd be flexible...I think the right person for say 4 hours may be better than having 6 hours from someone you don't trust as much, is less reliable etc and you'd be surprised what they can cover when they power up

brizzledfw

Ha ha..have just read 'they' in that last line...definitely not 'I':rotfl:..I couldnt do it at that speed and so am in a constant shock at how fast she goes..she has a system and it works! She storms around the house in 3 hours and it looks spotless afterwards

katsu

Hi Tilly,

I'm thinking of going for a cleaner at some point - same sort of experience of working so much and not being able to keep the house in a suitable state.

We had cleaners about 10yrs ago but it was a company so wasn't as cheap as an independant. Problem is that I've forgotten the company name so couldn't go back to them even if I wanted to

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Brizzle, will bear your comments in mind and will ask around. I live on a road where most women are SAHM so I know they don't have cleaners - I am the odd one out

The more I think about it though, the more it seems the right solution. If the cleaning were sorted then life would be easier. DH is marvellous and we share everything but my side has slipped.

Katsu, I think i would prefer someone local as having tried a company it drove me mad. I paid £12 an hour for a 'first class' service and it certainly wasn't.

Just hoping now that someone calls. There was a time when we would get flyers through the door with people advertising but that hasn't happened for years either.

Awake extremely early for a Sunday but the boiler decided to go mad, there must be air whizzing roud as its banging like mad. DH is now opening the man drawer to find suitable implements - always worrying.

Tilly x

DawnW

I see I am not the only one up bright and early this morning