Advice for beginner

Lydia42

Hi
Not been on the site or forums for too long. Major overhaul needed. My life has been utter chaos and i have been doing overtime recently prior to surgery next week.
To keep it brief, I'm due to start isolation tomorrow before surgery on Wednesday, then will be resting knee.  So I thought it's about time I put myself first, and look to you experts for advice and recommendations on posts to read. My aim is to reduce my horrendous food shopping bill and get on top of my pig stye of a house. I know it won't happen over night but if I use this down time to read up on your recommended threads and check out your tips on where to begin it would really help turn my life around and help me find some sanity and save pennies. 
Please feel free to fire away; any advice so so welcome. 
Thanking you all in advance 
  

Farway

Just you or a house full of family at home?

retiredinfrance

I recommend the decluttering thread where we are all encouraged by the wonderful Mrs Salad Dodger. Set your
self a gentle target , mine is 365 items for the year. Or 32 items for May. Sorry, 31. It is Mission Declutter and Clean. 
Good luck and look after yourself.

wort

I used Marie Kondo, there was a thread on here ,if you search you should find it, plus YouTube.
She advocates not buying storage, as when you declutter you should be able to end up with enough storage. There are many threads on here to look regarding cutting your grocery bill, batch cooking, and menu planning. Good luck.

Nargleblast

You have two days in which you can prepare for your post-op recuperation, to ensure you can rest as much as you need to. I would just  focus on putting things away and getting the place generally clean and tidy so you don't have to do housework when you come out of 
hospital. Make sure there's enough clean laundry to last without having to put a washload on. Sort out your fridge, freezer and food cupboards and get some meals prepared in advance so you don't have to cook straight after coming home. The long term decluttering, cleaning, meal planning stuff can wait till after you are back to a normal level of functioning, for now just plan for the post op recuperation period. Hope all goes well for you.

Lydia42

Thanks everyone. 
It's myself,  hubbie and two children.  Will start reading through some of the recommended info so I can get tips etc ready for when I'm mobile again.  I determined to take control this year.

PipneyJane

Hi @Lydia42

Good luck with your operation.  I hope it goes well.

Please join us on the monthly Grocery Challenge thread.  The link is to this month’s but it always pinned at the top of the Old Style Board.  The first few posts contain some very useful links to threads about money saving, budgeting, etc.  There is also a huge recipe index.

- Pip

Siebrie

Give yourself time to get into the flow, especially with a wonky knee. Try and stop new stuff getting into the house, and whatever you throw out, make sure it actually leaves the house. Make it a habit to drive by the bottlebank/paper recycling container whenever you go shopping. I have a designated spot where I hide stuff from husband and daughters, because - even if they agreed to throw out those items - when they see it again, they will want to keep it.