How do you organise yourself?

bluebag

I write everything on a wall calendar. If it ain't on the calendar then it don't get done, everyone in the house knows this too. If you want it, put it on the wall.

One thing I did find really helpful was to do a thing called a 3 day arc... that is, when you check the calendar, check three days ahead.

Saves nasty surprises and helps you understand what is coming up.

Rummer

This is a great thread with lots of ideas and links

Pitlanepiglet

All of my "stuff" is kept in an electronic form. We both use Google Calendars so you can choose to share your calendars with each other. You can also set up specific calendars which you can choose whether you view them in your main calendar or not. So I have my main calendar, OH has his calendar which I can see overlaid with mine, plus I have a meal planning calendar which we can both see if we want to - this helps because we both cook depending on who is home first.

You could do similar with a cleaning schedule etc.

I then use Evernote software for lists. All free software and I can view everything on my phone, my tablet or my PC.

strandedinaber

I use Evernote for everything - it contains minutes for work meetings, menu plans, budgets, tasks (from small tasks e.g. 'return new top' to extensive task lists for work projects). Then all of my financial stuff is logged at clearcheckbook.com. I also make sure I schedule all time-sensitive tasks in either my google (personal) calendar or my Outlook (work) calendar.

hobbitfancier

Has anyone got any suggestions for simple, easy to use financial templates? When I search google they're hard to edit on excel and usually American.

merlot123

Pitlanepiglet wrote: »

All of my "stuff" is kept in an electronic form. We both use Google Calendars so you can choose to share your calendars with each other. You can also set up specific calendars which you can choose whether you view them in your main calendar or not. So I have my main calendar, OH has his calendar which I can see overlaid with mine, plus I have a meal planning calendar which we can both see if we want to - this helps because we both cook depending on who is home first.

I then use Evernote software for lists. All free software and I can view everything on my phone, my tablet or my PC.

We as a family do this but with iPhones,it's fabulous to have all the calendars linked, we have never been so organised and no paper/calendars stuck on fridge::D

The one thing I have found very useful is the Tesco shopping list (u can create numerous weekly lists, I have 5 weekly meal plans, it is found under the favourite tab and then shopping list) and I simply click onto the correct week number and all the products from the list are entered into your basket, takes mins to do the weekly shopping. I find it easier and cheaper shopping online, I use to pop in for the reduced items but I found I ended up spending more money and spent too much time shopping.

Linda32

hobbitfancier wrote: »

Has anyone got any suggestions for simple, easy to use financial templates? When I search google they're hard to edit on excel and usually American.

Yes, I use excel, list of outgoings on the left. Add these up. List of incomings (wages) on the right. Add this up.


Take last figure away from first figure and make it add to £1


Then in the left hand column where you have outgoings, also put your spending allowance, food allowance etc. So you can see how much you have to spend in each area.


I get paid 4 weekly OH gets paid monthly. So I use his monthly money to allocate to the bills and they come out as and when. The money is already set aside.


Then my money becomes the weekly money. i.e. Food, Petrol, Spending money etc.


I hope that makes sense.

Cottage_Economy

I've tried loads of different ways of doing things but always come back to a physical diary with a day to a page, a simple wall calendar near the front door for appointments, and a back up calendar on my laptop that pings me up an automated reminder of events - I have a reminder set for three days ahead and then on the day. Very useful for birthdays as it gives me time to get something in the post if I have forgotten about it.

I put my meal plans in the diary and also stick in weekly grocery shopping lists and receipts, which does make it a bit bulky by the end of the year so end up using a band, tying it up with ribbon or sometimes taking out the receipts earlier in the year if its really bad. It functions as a great resource to look back on.

I make sure housework is spread throughout the week, usually something every day, so I don't end up wasting half a day at the weekend doing it. Always do a quick wipe and sweep around the bathroom every morning to make sure it is ok if anyone visits.

halleous

merlot123 wrote: »

We as a family do this but with iPhones,it's fabulous to have all the calendars linked, we have never been so organised and no paper/calendars stuck on fridge::D

The one thing I have found very useful is the Tesco shopping list (u can create numerous weekly lists, I have 5 weekly meal plans, it is found under the favourite tab and then shopping list) and I simply click onto the correct week number and all the products from the list are entered into your basket, takes mins to do the weekly shopping. I find it easier and cheaper shopping online, I use to pop in for the reduced items but I found I ended up spending more money and spent too much time shopping.

Amazing idea Thank you xx

Homecooker

I agree with many others - big lists can sometimes be overwhelming. Take it in small chunks that you can manage and congratulate yourself for (very important). Don't beat yourself up if you haven't managed everything - whatever you have done is perfect for that time. Also from your list highlight the MOST important that will have the biggest benefit to your daily life - this way you will always see what you acheived

Re: the teenagers. Not had children myself although have been a nanny for numerous years - I always found giving a choice works well. Instead of asking the kids to tidy their rooms (in their eyes 'nagging') or ordering them to do it (in their eyes they are one step away from POW camp) you could try something like 'OK your rooms need tidying - your choice, you can do it now or after lunch/tea/TV etc'.

Something else to try and if it doesn't work for you, there are always other things to have a go at