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!

Oh thanks so much for the Whistlefish link! Sitting choosing all our cards for the year. Even OH getting his mum and dads :)

Woohoo all done! It would never even have crossed my mind to do that if it wasnt for this thread. Mother’s Day and father’s day for both sets of parents sorted, birthdays for my parents and our kids plus a couple of spares for birthday parties for £11.50 posted!

This is a great thread. Place marking!!! Such good timing too, dd's are with their dad so I had decided today was a get organised day!!! Thanks for all the great tips already .

Love this thread, shamelessly placemarking and stealing all the ideas!

Oh that's great ifitoldyouidhavetokissyou and in less time than it would have taken you to go to the shop

Wish I could offer more organisational tips but sadly that's the only area in life I have sorted.

Oh I’m loving all these tips!!

I especially like the expanding file and envelope tips!

I’ve just packed my Xmas decs away (I know! It’s too early )

I always pack everything in a really uniform/organised way so it’s easy to undo next year. Lights are rolled round my hand then tied with coloured pipe cleaners and stored in plastic storage boxes. Same with baubles. Different box for each colour. Tree goes into wheelie bin liner. My cards from this year are kept in with the decorations so I have a ready to go list of who to write cards to next year.

Ugh! There is so much 'stuff' everywhere in my house that I sort of don't even know where to start.

Despite trying not to over-cater for the 15 family members who came for Christmas we have shameful amounts of food left. Plus awful amounts of wrapping paper as no one took any notice of my suggestions not to go overboard.

No one really helped clear up so we are upside down.

I need a skip!

I’ve spent the morning getting my diary and calendar started and bought a magnetic weekly to do list in which I’m going to write all the household chores on it and cross them off when done. Then my husband and children can’t say they didn’t know what needs doing!

You’ve all inspired me! I’ve written in my 2020 calendar and I’ve bought cards for the first 6 months worth of birthdays.
I want to try the money envelope system but I want to use colourful or printed envelopes. Does anyone know where I can buy just envelopes like this please?

Things that work for me:

All keys (no exceptions) live in a ceramic pot in the kitchen so we can instantly find them
School and work bags packed the night before and by the front door
School uniforms always washed and dried on a Friday night so there is no mad rush on a Sunday
All clothes folded Kondo style - saves space in drawers and we can instantly see what we have
I keep a small bin in my car which saves so much time when cleaning out all the rubbish that just seems to appear...
Only have identical hangers in your wardrobe - it actually saves a lot of space and makes it look tidier.
My wardrobe is organised in sections so I know where to look for what I need: Jeans and trousers; skirts; shirts and blouses, dresses, suits and jackets
I'm trying to use my kindle or the library for books to be more eco friendly and to save space,
Opt to get all bills and statements via email rather than paper.
Scan important documents and save on a computer - P60s P45s DBS checks, DWP/benefits info
Limit screen time; it is so easy to lose hours of your life mindlessly scrolling through social media and Mumsnet

Certain jobs always done on the first weekend of the month:
-Dishwasher salt and rinse aid topped up
-Cleaner run through dishwasher and washing machine
-Shower head and hose descaled
-Cats flea treated
-Chickens given a mineral booster
-Fire alarms tested

want to try the money envelope system but I want to use colourful or printed envelopes. Does anyone know where I can buy just envelopes like this please?

Paperchase have packs of coloured envelopes or you can buy singularly in store ?

I meal plan monthly. It takes a little while but much less time then if I did it every week. We also end up with less repeating meals then if I did it each week.

I want to do more TOMM this year.

I’ve found I do better with a physical to do list rather then an online one, which is odd because I do everything else online.

I do a similar thingy with envelopes for receipts. I have 12 envelopes, each labelled January through to December. if I buy something in December, then the receipt goes in the December envelope. Then, 12 months later, I open up the December envelope and bin the receipts for anything that has a warranty that has expired that month, as that receipt is no longer needed.

Lurking to read when the kids are asleep, need all the help I can get!!!!

Glad my meal plan is popular, I think I actually started it when doing weight watchers. It's not super exciting but it removes the mental load and food wastage. If I find a recipe I like then I keep it to try one weekend and if it makes the cut then I add it into the rotation.

I'm going to try the accordion file idea.

Another tip I have is that we have a family email address ([email protected]) and we use that for anything home or DC related so we can both access the information about utilities, holidays, nursery etc.

School uniforms always washed and dried on a Friday night so there is no mad rush on a Sunday

Every week I mean to do this and every week I forget so it’s a mad rush on a Sunday! I am going to set an emery on My phone right now!

Every year I save with Park. Have done for 30 years. Plus cash too.

I have a large calendar with a column each for me and the kids. We are a very busy sporty family and with 3 training sessions a week and me in a running club twice, it’s difficult.

We try to meal plan but we will have to stick to it now as I’m in work till 4:30-5 each day.

I iron uniform and work clothes every morning and every single day I promise myself it’ll be the last. It never is

Thanks @HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime. I've just opened a MoneyBox account. I've already got a H2B ISA so want this for retirement. I've set it up for £5/week & round up. Now I'll just ignore it until I'm 60

A box of 100 postcards is great for birthday cards- 100 for under £15.

Like Duchess I use an accordian file to keep track of paperwork and appointments needed in the future, filed by month. If really organised, I also drop a note in each month of other items (eg insurance, MOT) due that month as well.

Thanks @covetingthepreciousthings re envelopes. I will check out Paperchase.

I’ve found I do better with a physical to do list rather then an online one, which is odd because I do everything else online.

Me too - I think it’s the satisfaction of physically crossing things off!

I've just got ahead of myself and done the first of the 52 DIY jobs for next year, and caulked the guest bathroom. Really enjoyed it!