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Original poster

How up to date on life admin are you?

52 replies

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 28/05/2019 14:52

Just general stuff, replying to emails/texts that require info or a detailed answer, sorting post and actioning it, filing, school bits and pieces, small diy jobs around the home, being organised for upcoming events etc.

I’ve had a whole week off work and used it to catch up on everything, it felt amazing. Already I feel behind again though. I also only work 4 days so really should use the 5th to keep on top of things but I don’t. Huge procrastinator!! I just wondered how usual it was to constantly feel like you’re playing catch up?

OP posts:
ExpletiveDelighted · 28/05/2019 16:22

I've just had a big sort out of pensions, that had been on the to do list for a while.

implantsandaDyson · 28/05/2019 16:28

I'm not even sure I do life admin right Grin. Whatever I'm doing takes me about 15 mins. Today - kids were at school (1 at secondary, 2 at primary). I made dentists appt for all 3, hairdresser appt for 1, paid the balance of a school trip for 1 - that took less than 10 mins. Then wrapped two birthday presents - 5 mins. Nothing needs renewed and the kids rooms were all blitzed - old toys cleared out etc at the weekend. I do everything as it comes in so I don't notice time spent on it.

MountainDweller · 28/05/2019 17:10

I always seem to have loads.

This afternoon I called the car insurance company to get a better deal based on low mileage.
Tried to call the water company because my bill is a ridiculously high estimate with no actual meter reading (gave up as permanently engaged, so will have to compose email in my second language which will involve use of the dictionary).
Booked car into garage next week as it only starts when it feels like it.
Sent off a bunch of health insurance claims.
Did some online banking.
Still have to tidy up as cleaner coming tomorrow and I pay them to clean, not tidy.

bebeboeuf · 28/05/2019 17:55

To do:

Order and arrange to be fitted new side gate
Get quotes for painting house
Organising presents and wrapping and party for DS birthday
Buy Father’s Day presents and cards
Book hotel for DH birthday night out (and research where and what to do)
Organise what we still need for holiday in 3 weeks

slipperywhensparticus · 28/05/2019 17:58

I need to do my tax credits renewal but to do that I need the childminders new figures from June onwards I need to decorate I need to measure up for carpet sort out occupational health paperwork ummm cut down my out goings badly

Upsidedownfrown · 28/05/2019 19:27

This thread has actually been really helpful. It's given me a kick up the bum. I've renewed my tax credits, done school trip consent forms, paid a couple of bills and actually written a list of everything else I need to do. Feels lovely to cross things off!

Frith2013 · 28/05/2019 19:28

I need to:

Change the post 16 placement on my son’s EHCP

Plan a day trip in a bit more detail

Book someone in to mend a few things round the house

That’s it!

WalkAwaySugarbear · 28/05/2019 19:40

This is the one thing I'm fairly good at. I tend to do it all at work.

  • Bank balancing, insurance and utility renewals, emails and texts.
  • add school dates to the google calendar as soon as I get them.
  • bank cheques through the bank app
  • keep a pot of £1 coins ready in case of school non uniform days or something like that.
  • book dentist and hairdressers next appt before I leave.
firesong · 28/05/2019 19:41

Behind, for sure.

Sorting passport renewal for which I need various documents I'm chasing
First passport for youngest
School forms for eldest
Doctor's appointments for me and eldest
Flights for a trip
Some bank stuff

Chocolate35 · 28/05/2019 19:43

Reading this has made me realise how behind I actually am! I recently started a new job and I’m behind on LOADS of admin but tbh it’s become my normal. I have two children with very differently but equally busy lives that I sort out, parents who are dependent on me helping them and a full time job.
I currently need to contact council tax about a bill, make dentist appointments for the kids, arrange an appointment for myself that I’ve cancelled twice because there’s just no time, pay two people for an upcoming party, sort out about five of my parents bills. I’m always behind. As long as everyone’s medical appointments are arranged/followed up and I accept that for the time being I’m not going to be up to date with life admin.

Original poster
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 28/05/2019 20:09

Starting to feel less alone!

I’ve realised after the housework comment that I keep on top of that by using an app called Wunderlist and another comment about actually allocating a time to do it, and have added a new list to the app and started setting deadlines to each job.

My examples in my previous post are just the tip of the iceberg! (Mostly thanks to subsequent posts which reminded me of more stuff I’m behind on).

OP posts:
DinosApple · 28/05/2019 20:25

Loads of life admin but tbh we fall into the category of having too much to do. Kids one with SEN, elderly ILs, own business. There is a correlation between the number I employ and the number of problems I have.
Etc, etc. Like lots of families.

Life admin gets done when reminders are sent!

ememem84 · 29/05/2019 11:31

i tend to try and do one thing a day if i can.

i work my to do list at work on a month by month basis. on the back of the last months page in my notebook i write all my personal admin stuff that i have to do and try and get one thing done during my lunch break.

i work full time as does dh. we both hate the cleaning, but try and get half hour done each day as a minimum.

this system sort of works for us. but god knows what will happen when dd arrives in July. . . two kids under 2, maternity leave again, and more life admin....

Thinkinghappythoughts · 29/05/2019 11:40

Life admin. Kill me! I am teacher and do ours (my job - dh does the housework). I do it at the beginning of every proper term break. Takes a good couple days. Longer if booking a holiday. Just me sat at the computer with a stack of papers and a credit card 6 hours a day for at least 2 days if not longer. Then I do nothing for 2-3 months. Repeat ad nauseam. I am going to apply for an EU passport. That will a couple of days' worth of "work" soon.

On one hand I think that the internet is great as it enables us to do these things at our convenience. On the other hand i realise that we have taken on the job of doing our own customer service - just in the comfort of our homes and unpaid.

Titsywoo · 29/05/2019 11:41

I'm fairly up to date. I have a to do list on my computer which I update all the time. It's separated into days and I tend to build up a list of things to do for the month then add one thing per day so it all gets done and doesn't drag into the following month. Diy and house maintenance is another matter as we did lots of extending and returning in the last 4 years and there's a lot of jobs left to do (plus the maintenance that keeps cropping up). It never ends!

elQuintoConyo · 29/05/2019 11:45

I do things as soon as I get notification, eg this week:
Took ds' application letter to school secretary so he can participate in the end-of-year Got Talent competition.
Booked him into his summer course, with a friend, lits if toing and froing with getting the same dates. All booked and paid for.
Checked the lost and found for anything he'd left on the school trip (residency? Whatever they're called when they go away for a few days).
Ordered and paid for his school books for September.
Paid the PTA for September.
Paid his materials quota (for pens, pencils, glue sticks etc).
Booked and paid for 4 x dinners at the end of course party at his school.
Ordered new flea collar for the Creature.
Put a load of stuff on 2nd hand site to flog
Took usb stick of photos to be developed to make an album for my mum.
Dropped off and collected ds' shoes from the cobbler. Cheap as chips, very happy.

Most of this took one morning. Or two, as DH did payments online for school shizz.

We're shit hot at admin. Do it. File it. Forget about it.

However, Marie Kondo would positively WEEP in our house Grin

SpaceCadet4000 · 29/05/2019 12:50

Up to date on everything but filing work expenses, which I've been trying to start at work for a week but it's been so busy. Not the best as we self-settle our bills and they reimburse, so always helpful to have the money in my account before the bill is due.

HappyEverIftar · 29/05/2019 13:31

bliminy Grin

bliminy · 29/05/2019 13:31

I've just had a big sort out of pensions, that had been on the to do list for a while.

Setting up my self-employed 401K took me half a day all in. I felt very virtuous after I'd done it but I'd also felled about half a tree for all the stuff that had to be printed, learnt all sorts of legal terms, and have since received about 400 tons of follow-up paperwork. Which I should really file...

Cherrio · 30/05/2019 20:45

I know exactly what you mean OP. I also call this 'life admin' but really it's the 'mental load' stuff that I know my husband wouldn't dream of thinking about. What helps me is knowing I will never get to the mythical end of the list so don't try. I have a notes page on my phone that I probably look at/delete/add to every day. I don't get overwhelmed that way but I also never feel like I've finished! Constant state of 'doing'.

ExpletiveDelighted · 30/05/2019 20:57

That's what I do, the list never completely disappears but I use a bullet journal and keep it all organised that way.

JingsMahBucket · 30/05/2019 21:26

I'm barely ever caught up on life admin. There was a horrible period a few years ago when life was just a horrible long slog. One of my coping strategies is to do a brain dump whenever I get overwhelmed so I can see what needs to be worked on and what can be triaged. I made a list and it had over 150 items on it!! That was all swimming around in my head at any given time of the day. No wonder I couldn't sleep or focus!

mum2jakie · 30/05/2019 21:50

I've been off work over half term and tried to catch up with stuff. It just seems to multiply though and feels like painting the forth bridge.

I'd arranged for the meters to be changed while I was off this week and one of the kids has had a dental appointment. Then today I've had a letter through saying that the car is due a service and I've had to book a follow up dental appointment. Managed to chase up an outstanding hospital appointment which is then going to need juggling around work commitments. Managed to renew everyone's passports but then we need EHIC cards. It feels relentless!

Weepingwillows12 · 31/05/2019 07:47

I am a procrastinator too. I am always behind and often feel quite overwhelmed by it. I work full time, do long days with no lunch and have young kids so I tend to put it on ato do list and never do it.

My payments are all direct debit luckily. At the moment I have to sort my dh and ds's birthday gifts and parties, buy gifts for two upcoming parties, book hotels and sort outfits for two weddings for me and kids, book dentists, book me a haircut, book ds optician, and we are also going n the middle of renewing the mortgage so expecting loads of solicitors forms in soon. Oh and the house needs a complete renovation but we don't have the money so we need to sit down and prioritise what we do to get started so will need loads of trades quotes.....

AuntieMarys · 31/05/2019 07:53

I love an admin list!
I am very good organising and thrive on it....at one point I was selling a house, buying one in a different part of the country and renting one...plus divorcing, kids doing GCSEs and A levels so lots going on.
I find it focuses me and keeps me calm....I like to feel in control