Organisational tips and tricks to start in the new year

[WireBrushAndDettolMaam]

Do you have any?

I’m going to set up a standing order for £10 a week to save for Christmas next year.

I’m also going to save £5 a week into and ASDA card to help with the Christmas shopping next year.

I’m going to mark all the birthdays/anniversaries/whatever on the calendar and have a box with cards, stamps etc ready to go.

I’m also going to have a huge declutter and donate/sell as much as I can to get some much needed space and organise what’s left.

Any other ideas gratefully received!

Late joining here & not RTFT yet , especially as one thing I could do which would help would be to spend less time on MN

The a few things I do which help most are:

1. Take photos of any letters home from school/cubs/any appointments & keep on my phone. Put details straight into calendar, but this way have back-up. Also photograph forms I have completed so I know I have done it.

1. In our hallway is a large ottoman we were going to get rid of. Instead it is the 'school box'. As soon as we get home, any school bags, lunch bags, swimming bag, school coats & woolies, forms, anything school related goes in there. Saves hours of searching & looks neater than piles! Also doubles up as a seat when putting shoes on.

1. Any swimming/football kit goes straight in the bags once washed & dried, rather than in drawers.

1. I have spares of everything for the DC, so if for some reason I can't get washing done in time, they still have what they need. This is easier for me as I have 3 DSes so just keep everything & know it will get handed down.

👍🏼 @JontyDoggle37

One I do is have 5 uniform "sets" for dc1. Gets washed once a week & hung up straight after the tumble drier. I use one clip hanger & put trousers/polo & jumper on same hanger.

@helpneedshoes what is the plastic cases for handbags please?

I've got all my food tubs out & am going to sort them out this evening. Look at this! I might even go to ikea & invest in a lot more of their stackable ones

I read somewhere that storing tubs on their sides instead of stacking (think it was Marie Kondo) is good as you can actually see what you have. I do it now and it's worked really well.

This may only work if your keeping them in drawers not cupboard though

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zippered-Toiletry-Portable-Cosmetic-Organizing/dp/B07BT3Q662/ref=mpssa111?keywords=5+Pack+Clear+PVC+Zippered+Toiletry+Carry+Pouch+Portable+Cosmetic+Makeup+Bag+for+Vacation%2C+Bathroom+and+Organizing&qid=1578654319&sr=8-1

these & I use them as below

1. lip balm, lipstick, perfume, hair band etc
2. tampon, plasters, paracetamol etc
3. pen, stamps, penknife, tissues etc
4. crayons, mini notebook, car for dc

Not my idea so I can't take credit. Made my bag so much lighter & much easier to find stuff

My Whistlefish order arrived yesterday, 36 cards, they're lovely. Plus they are designed and printed in the UK which has the green feel good factor too Apparently they are about to start using an alternative to the traditional single use plastic cover cards tend to come in so I'm looking forward to finding out about that.

If anyone wants to use it I've a 10% off code - CELEBRATE10. Not sure if their sales still on but I got any 10 cards for £8 which for the quality of the cards is incredible, makes them cheaper than M & S.

I’ve just bought lots of storage from B&Q to sort all my cosmetics!

Great suggestions on here.

I've been decluttering & rearranging. All great fun playing Tetris with stuff that doesn't get used much. Until you can't remember where it is.

We have a lot of odd spaces that we use - under stairs/beds, utility, hot press, big living room drawers.

I'm now making a list of all the stuff that's sorted to go on a spreadsheet so instead of thinking 'where did I put the hammocks/extension lead/crepe maker', I can just look it up.

I also have a 'present box' that I buy bargains for to gift for parties.

I'm going to dwindle this down as dc are 6 & 10 & parties starting to lessen. It does feel good getting rid of stuff. Even dh who's always scared to sort stuff as 'none of it's mine...' has done a couple of drawers tonight.

What a great thread!

Schoolinfoplease2020 you can also order cards online from The Works www.theworks.co.uk/c/stationery/gift-wrap

My whistlefish order just arrived so heres a code valid until 31.3. Celebrate10 gets 10% off.

At the end of December, DH and I wrote a list of 30 meals that we all like, or would like to try. I wrote a meal a day on the calendar for the whole of Jan, and now each weekend I shop (online), batch cook and organise the meals for the week.
Has saved lots of time and money and hadn’t felt repetitive.

It's a month since this thread was last commented on - how is everybody getting on with their new organisation routines and tasks?