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redofromstart

Luckily the current project means that I am not chasing the scraps of prolific/SB as nothing seems to be paying out at the moment. I've now got three months trickle wages in the bank and another three months due to be paid shortly. Its painfully full time physically tiring but lucrative so I've just got to keep my head down and get on with it.

I have to confess to having to buy a new suit, and some formal work tops as the client is very formal. Haven't done suited and booted for daily job since before the boys were born but at least I found things that I like, that fit and that suit me without spending all of my earnings. Exited some more scruffy bits to make room on the one in, one out basis. Life is too short to wear things that don't make me smile.

I'm rather over committed time wise so some things are having to give, like the internet and cooking. I'm experimenting with 30 minutes meals but its a lot harder to be frugal that way although I did get a lot of tray bake chicken things at 75% off in the co-op which has helped. I've stocked up on dry goods, and will swap to home deliveries once school starts. maybe try the other veg box people too, or the wonky box.

Cleaning will be temporarily outsourced shortly once the boys are back at school. I spent most of Saturday and all of Sunday cleaning, ironing and gardening which makes for an equally tiring weekend. I don't know how those of you who work full time all of the time cope, although I suppose my health issues don't make it any easier.

greenbee

I don't cope. And I don't have the kids and animals to deal with either. It's only me making the mess.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Congratulations on your new job/project Redo.

doingitanyway

I don't have kids or animals either and I am constantly struggling. I keep trying to do better and fail. That said I think I am failing better these days

redofromstart

Thanks HHOD, its a relief after a dry run since March!

Greenbee, DIA, I'm glad its not just me.

I know full time with families people who are clean and tidy but I just don't get how to make it work for me. I suspect the answer is regimented and controlled rotas and schedules for tasks, so the burden is equally shared but that just makes for a bad atmosphere in this house and things still don't get done. The negative energy does more harm than good. That said, I was out all day yesterday and came back to find that DS1 (15) had voluntarily (and without expectation of reward) emptied the DW while he was letting the dogs out and waiting for his lunch to cook. He then had a shower and left water all over the bathroom floor so I know he hasn't been kidnapped by aliens, but it was good to feel that I had some help, however minor.

Had to stop at a stupidmarket for fuel on the way back so I dashed round and stocked up on useful things like dry goods for packed lunches, etc in the hope that I can avoid spending part of every weekend food shopping. I double bought most things in my normal shop too so its an expensive month with the holiday, the extra work clothes and holiday/work fuel. I know some of it will come back via the business but its still cashflow that has to be managed.

in_need_of_direction

You've made me feel so much better about my decision to buy in some cleaning help. Just knowing that someone is coming in once a week to do a proper clean seems to make it easier to keep on top of day to day tasks

sashybo

Redo, I only work 2-3 days a week & I struggle with the housework! I think everyone has their own bits of housework that they compromise on/doesn't get done as much as they might like.

I've pretty much given up on ironing these days, I do some from time to time but not everything & it's not that bad, although maybe I just don't notice that I look like a bag lady. :rotfl: DH did bring home a leaflet for a lady who takes in ironing recently. :rotfl:

Good news on DS1 emptying the DW without any [STRIKE]nagging[/STRIKE] prompting. My DH always accuses me of nagging him to do things when I'm asking, then re-asking because it's not been done. Apparently I bullied him into taking all his cr*p out of the utility room the other day (empty bottles for home brew, gloves, jug, tubes, thermometer, towels, drill, various other tools). I had only been asking him to move it for, Oh, about 3 months!! :cool: I lost the plot & he just laughed at me and finally moved it.

greenbee

Well done DS1 Let's hope it continues.

I have cleaning help too. A couple of hours most weeks, and extra occasionally when builders have been or windows need doing inside or something feels like it needs a deep clean. Helps me keep things tidy. I also outsource ironing, although the neighbour who does it has arthritis in her hand and can take quite a while to do it - recently I've just been sending sheets and doing clothes myself as I can't deal with the long turnaround times.

RosaBernicia

Redo, have you tried online delivery for the shopping? I tried it and have been meaning to get back to it as a regular thing because even the 2 hours saved helps. Also the robot vacuum helps here as I can send it round on the days I work from home and it means the 'middles' get done and there's slightly less cat hair around (it doesn't save other vacuuming altogether as it isn't clever enough to reach spiders or do stairs).

Re cleaning, I have made FlyLady work with a full time job and part time masters - but it was after I had got the house decluttered and organised, which I think made a huge difference. I really could do it in 2 hours a week if sticking to the zones plan and doing the 15 mins daily or more usually 30 mins every couple of days, so I'm very reluctant to organise and pay for someone else to do this. Unfortunately I think I've now got that idea stuck and it doesn't work so well when you're still decluttering and DIYing in a new place... there's too many extra things being moved around and extra mess. I may have to give myself a deadline and get the house sorted by new year.


Rosa xx

System

Redo belated congratulations on your new job. As for cleaning there is only me and I only have time for a once a week clean of everything.