Planning a year of money saving and life bettering?

Pernicious

Love the idea Zepsgal, you've inspired me to buy a diary today & get organised for 2012 properly!

So far I've written in birthdays, wedding anniversaries, annual leave booked, & important bills coming up like car insurance, etc, tomorrow I'll make a start on doing a meal plan for the next month & this week's "Must do" jobs.

TheBex

MOT EXPIRY - catches me out every year so I put a warning in 2 weeks in advance. Same for car insurance, dates when rates on CCs, mortgages, savings etc run out,

My diary has appointments, pay days, money that needs moving, cheque clearing dates, car service, three monthly mega cleans, OU assignment deadlines and holidays. Wouldn't have a clue what to do, when or where without it!

Good luck!

lexa34

Does anyone use a Smartphone? I use the free Astrid tasks sofware app to keep track on my things I need to do but really want something to combine with a diary and be able to catergorise as well as remind myself and do some money savvy activities! Anyone use an app or is that not OS?!
x

Mint1955

Cat501 wrote: »

I'm at that stage too, of having to challenge myself, although not daily yet, my CPN sets me something every 3 weeks or so. I too think the A4 diary is a great idea, I'll mostly use it for housework/decluttering tasks, setting myself maybe 2 or 3 a week at the moment and see how it goes. Thanks zepsgal and good luck!:)

For me I find the depression is the hardest thing to overcome with me not getting on with things bit.... So I make an appointment in my diary for say tuesday next week 9.30am Spend half and hour Cleaning glass (this can be a dirty window or the bathroom mirrors or whatever I think needs it most or you could schedule each window throughout the year) Once the half an hour is up I stop and if it needs to be put in the diary again to finish then thats fine.

All jobs around the house that are not the usual make beds wash up daily type can be done in this way. Walk around the house and make a list of those just jobs then diary an appointment for each job if you only do it once a year its probably (in my case) more than its being done now :-)

SOme things to start you off
clean lampshades upstairs / downstairs (could be 2 sessions)
flip mattress and wash mattress cover (appointment for each bed)
Clean microwave in and out
Wipe lightswitches
Clean out 1 kitchen drawer/cupboard (diary apointments for each so you dont over do it)
Each room wipe skirtings and door frames/tops of doors
Change toothbrushes


And dont forget once done diary it for the next appointment.

Here is a list I used for a long time as a checklist to cover my house
Entrance / dining room /airing cupboard

1. Clean cobwebs

2. Clean windows, windowsills
3. Clean mirrors
4. Clean curtains & rods
5. Clean lampshades
6. Straighten drawers/cupboards
7. Wash ornaments and whatnots
8. Dust and polish furniture hall
9. Wash paintwork / Wipe fingerprints
10. Wash front door /French doors surrounds
11. Special Wax table and chairs
12. Sweep entrance
13. Do floors to edges
AIRING CUPBOARD

1. Straighten the shelves
2. Cobwebs
3. Wash paintwork / wipe fingermarks
4. Dust door frame

Kitchen / utility room/cloakroom





1. Clean cobwebs/lampshades
2. Empty refrigerators & clean thoroughly
3. Clean microwave inside and out
4. Clean oven inside and out
5. Clean vent filters and hood/empty Hoover bag
6. Wash canisters & knick-knacks/spice rack
7. Straighten drawers & cupboards
8. Wash paintwork / Wipe fingerprints
9. Scrub down cabinet fronts (only a few at a time)
10. Clean under sink cupboards
11. Clean cat/dog dishes properly
12. Sort/defrost freezers
13. Clean the washer & dryer plus empty filter
14. Clean dishwasher and empty filters fill salt
15. Thoroughly clean floor plus edges
16. Worktops scrub

CLOAKROOM
1. Straighten & clean toiletries cabinet
2. Wash shower curtain
3. Wash walls / paintwork
4. Dust doors
5. Total floor clean plus edges


Bathroom / kids bedrooms / stairs / landing






1. Clean cobwebs
2. Straighten & clean toiletries cabinet
3. Straighten & clean shelves
4.Wash walls / paintwork
5. Dust door frames
6. Full hoover

KIDS BEDROOMS

1. Clean cobwebs
2. Clean windows, windowsill & mirror
3. Clean curtains & Lampshades
4. Polish furniture
5. Clean off the desks
6. Clean bookcases
7. Tidy chest of drawers/ wardrobes
8. Dust doors
9. Wash paintwork / Wipe fingermarks
10. Full hoover
11. Under Beds!!!

STAIRS/LANDING

1. Clean cobwebs

2. Clean lampshades/pictures

3. Dust doors

4. Wash paintwork / Wipe fingermarks
5. Full hoover

Our bedroom / En suite






1. Clean cobwebs
2. Clean windows, windowsill
3. Clean curtains & lampshades
4. Polish furniture
5. Clean off the tops
6. Tidy Wardrobe & clean mirrors
7. Tidy drawers
8. Clean under the bed
9. Hoover Plus edges
10. Wash paintwork / wipe fingermarks



EN SUITE
1. Straighten & clean toiletries cabinet
2. Wash shower doors
3. Wash walls / paintwork
4. Dust doors
5.Total floor clean plus edges
6. Clean windows, windowsill


Sitting room/Play room

• Clean cobwebs
• Clean windows, windowsills & mirrors
• Clean curtains & rods
• Clean lamps/lampshades
• Straighten bookcases/cupboards/drawers
• Wash ornaments and whatnots
• Dust and polish furniture
• Clean out magazines/papers
• Wash paintwork / Wipe fingerprints
• Clean phone
• Clean under cushions
• Move furniture and hoover plus edges

PLAY ROOM

1. Clean cobwebs
2. Clean windows & windowsill
3. Clean curtains & lampshades
4. Hoover plus edges
5. Clean & tidy shelves cupboards drawers
6. Dust Tv etc
7. Clean monitor screen/tidy computer desk/phone
8. Check for office supplies needed (stamps, too!)
9. Wash paintwork / wipe fingermarks



Saturdays and or Sundays

Odd Jobs Hopefully family time as we work together J


Flea and worm the cat/dog
Clean cars/tyres/oil etc
Garden/weeding/tidying
Lawns
Tidy garage
Sweep paths
Check smoke alarms
Fill bird feeders
Check bike tyres
Recycling bottles
Sort Lizard tank
Clean garden furniture


LOL just noticed light switches do not figure :rotfl:

Or maybe this would be of use to someone

Monday

1 hour dash

Empty kitchen bins
Clean Sinks
Wipe down in Kitchen
Clean Toilets
Wipe mirrors
Feather dust all and polish flat surfaces
Hoover up/ down
Sweep hard Floors
Water Plants

Tuesday

Appointment Day


Ironing
1 hour Appointment Cleaning 1 hour
Finish Monday' tasks 1/2 hour if needed
Bins and recycling out

Wednesday

Planning Day

Balance Accounts
Check Birthdays
To Do List
Shopping Lists
Phone Calls
Write outletter/email
Menu planning

Thursday

Errand Day


Shopping/
Check Fridge

Friday

Change all towels
Sheets/Pillowcases
QuickStraighten .throughout
Weekend Cooking

Mint1955

lexa34 wrote: »

Does anyone use a Smartphone? I use the free Astrid tasks sofware app to keep track on my things I need to do but really want something to combine with a diary and be able to catergorise as well as remind myself and do some money savvy activities! Anyone use an app or is that not OS?!
x

I found Motivated Moms APP useful it reminds you of daily tasks and those that only crop up occasionaly

The free one is a little limiting so I bought the year one and you can change it to suit you adding in stuff only you know about your house. You tick the box when done and move on.

Daily tasks are always
Clean kitchen sink
Clear/wipe counters
Do laundry
Make beds
Load/run dishwasher
Excersise
Plan/cook dinner
Quiet time
Takes meds/vits

Special tasks one day are
change dish cloths/t.towel
clean microwave inside/out
Ironing
mop kitchen

Special tasks another day are
Change sheets master bed
Clean dishwasher door
5 minutes in each room with a bin bag
Craft hobby time

Special tasks another day
Bathroom sinks
Change hand towels
Replenish toilet rolls
Dust dining room
Hoover ground floor

ANother day Special tasks
Check prescriptions
check library books
Pull dead leaves of houseplants
Do bins
Wash porch mats

etc etc

Each day the special tasks change and throughout the year all those little easily forgotton ones are covered and as I said you can add your own ones in.

Shortie

OOooohhh, am feeling inspired by this too.. Me thinks I will be over to WH Smiths tomorrow for an A5 version!

Cat501

Mint1955 - thank you!! That is such a good idea, I'm going to print that list out (when I've decluttered enough to get my new printer out the box!!) and adapt it for my home, I don't have as many rooms as you, nor do I have a garden, so I should be able to schedule things in. I really love the idea of perhaps only scheduling things once a year! I also like that list from the App, it's good to have things like "take meds" on the list, any little thing that can be ticked off is a bonus!

Mint1955

I have tried many systems but they mainly are all aaptations of Flylady.

The large diary idea is actually the best one for me .... everything down from spending to menus, tasks, library books to go back dates, real appointments , task appointments, bills , reminders for MOT or Tax for car or sports day or birthdays and anniversaries or send in £2 for kids party today etc etc all in one place easily available for all to see.

I also keep an envelope in the front with an elastic band or bulldog clip so it doesnt get lost and in there I put notes or coupons or things I need to do etc.

Every month I get the next months birthday cards and write them and then also put the posting days in the diary and the cards on the clip.

To make it easy next year as each day or week is finished I highlight anything that would be useful next year so I can quickly write up the new diary. I wouldnt need shopping lists or spending diary entries or one off things but routines, bills, birthdays etc etc which you will build up over the first year I will.

TheBex

lexa34 wrote: »

Does anyone use a Smartphone? I use the free Astrid tasks sofware app to keep track on my things I need to do but really want something to combine with a diary and be able to catergorise as well as remind myself and do some money savvy activities! Anyone use an app or is that not OS?!
x

Ha, my phone's only smart in that it's theftproof - nobody wants to steal it! :rotfl:

mummybearx

Wow Mint1955, some fantastic lists and tips there!

Love the idea of highlighting birthdays, bills etc for next years diary, all the motivation you need to keep going next year as well.

Tomorrow I shall be pen and paper in hand, writing the lovely long list of things that need to be done.

Made a start today, tried to declutter the two drawers in our tv cabinet. I literally have no idea what all the chargers are for, nor the endless supply of batteries, pens, nails, screws, cables I have never seen before....
Managed to file lots of wage slips and bank letters, made a bit more room in the drawers.

Need to find homes for the rest of the christmas presents tonight before I go to bed. Only have a few things left to move and thats another tick off the list x