Getting a Grip in 2013

smileypigface

Hello OS-ers

I thought I would start a thread to say hello as I hope to be spending more time in this area of the forums during 2013.

It's time to 'Get a Grip' and get my household sorted out and, having been browsing this area of the forums, I reckon I'll be in good company here -

My aims for 2013 are:

1. Decluttering - bin, donate or sell the unwanted stuff that is filling every corner of this house!

2. Deep cleaning the house and keeping on top of it so we never end up this grimey again :eek:

3. Stopping unnecessary spending (and hoping to build up a bit of a financial cushion) - so doing things like being smarter with utilities expenditure; not making unnecessary car journeys; not buying unnecessary toiletries

4. Linked to number 3 - Menu planning to ensure we eat better (less convenience food bought at the last minute because I haven't thought ahead) - and be a lot more sensible with our food budget ... OK, well, maybe to actually have a food budget!!

5. Linked to number 1 and 3 - to use up all the stockpile of toiletries etc that has built up due to bulk buying special offers.


So, I have made a start by emptying and cleaning out 4 x kitchen pan drawers - washed everything that doesn't get used often (we have 2 dogs and they seem to spread dust everywhere!!! yuk) and thrown away all the extra pan lids that had been clogging up the drawer long after the pan had expired!

I've also told my 14 year old son that I can't give him a lift to a particular shop today but instead he can tag along when I have to go that way tomorrow (this is a big change for me!! - I am the original mum le taxi )

So I'm hoping I'll be around on here regularly this year as I try to Get a Grip!!!!

Here's to a productive OS New Year :T

Rummer

Sounds like you are making a great start to the year :j

There are many things on your list that I will be working on myself. Here is to a successful 2013

Tibbie's_mum

Hey Smiley

We seemed to post almost the same sentiments at the same time.

You're right, we've got to get a grip! I'm with ya all the way.

OS here we come!

Tink_04

I'm with you here I've just found out I'm expecting number 2 so meal planning, no money wasting and getting as organised as we can for me going on mat leave later in the year! only hard thing with the meal planning is I'm so sick I can't eat much!

smileypigface

It's great to know I'm not the only one! We can do it :j:j

Day 2 and I've emptied the bathroom cabinet of all the pots of 'stuff' that have been open far too long to be hygenic - and rounded up a carrier bag full of empty shower gel bottles, loo roll innards, cardboard boxes etc for the recycling! New toothbrushes all round (from the stockpile of bargain toothbrushes!!)!

Also made a massive batch of homemade veg soup from all the veg that I bought in for Christmas and only made a small dent in!

Blimey, it makes it sound like we live in a right tip!! :eek:

I know it's only a little bit here and there - but I'm hoping baby steps will get me on the right road to tackling the bigger stuff as I go along!

Hope everyone else is feeling positive today still

lilrahi

I could have written this list myself!

My deep clean will have to wait until I return home but I'm determined to be healthier, wealthier and wiser in 2013. This is the start of the new me!

Good luck to everyone and hope we all keep each sane

barneydee_2

I will follow this thread as this is exactly what I want to do this year.I want to declutter big time, not only the house but also the two shed's.
And I am also going to learn to say no as I a fed up with running round after every one and then them not helping me.


And this year I am determine to red orate from top to bottom on a budget
Barneydee

blossomhill_2

Hi there, can I suggest you join in the Hoarding New Start thread which is the new version of Hoarding Not Just on TV - we've had some major successes last year in helping people explore the emotional attachment we get to "stuff" (which in turn can lead to us losing grip). It's a very supportive and welcoming thread

It is about not being a victim of advertising, not being a victim of misplaced attachments, learning to put a higher value on our time and space, being able to take pleasure in simpler lives and sometimes about not passing on baggage to the next generation, and leads to cleaner and healthier homes and in many cases, clearer heads and budgets!

eandjsmum

Hi It sounds that you are doing just the same as me. Ive taken 2 bags to the CS today I still have one more bag to go plus a bag of rags and a bag of batteries.

I have a cash book and find that writing everything down in that I can keep a check on the spending

I also hav another journal for meal planning and keeping a tally on the supermarket whoopsies that are stashed in both freezers
This helps with meal planning.

Shelski_2

I'll join you if that's ok.

Am doing this in baby steps so that I don't get fed up and give up.

So far this week,

Decs down from inside and back in the loft.
4 bin bags of very old clothes gone to cash4clothes £7.70 and a little space made in the loft (needle in a haystack!)
Old euros changed £9.20.
8 things listed on ebay.
Ironing to be done almost fits into ironing basket with lid shut now (lid to be closed by weekend)

House tidy except for spare bedroom.

Not a bad start so far. Going to attempt 1 box/ drawer etc of clearing out per week/ weekend.

Have a good day

Kantankrus_Mare

Have subscribed to this thread if only to give me a kick up the ars*

Sat here even as I type with a pile of ironing and one particular kitchen drawer that needs sorting and a file where I stuff recipes that all fall out when I am looking for one particular one. Argh!! :eek:

Im getting the ironing board out now!!