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Original poster

Organisational tips and tricks to start in the new year

264 replies

WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 21/12/2019 21:01

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!

OP posts:
hardrowtohoeallbyyourself · 29/12/2019 13:05

I agree, I prefer a hard copy.

Original poster
WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 29/12/2019 13:33

Yes I work much better with pen and paper. I do a lot of “working out” and planning that I need to write down. I can’t just do it in my head. I need to see it. I have dozens of notebooks all over the house for various different purposes. Some going back years that I still refer too. Grin

OP posts:
FireUnderpants · 29/12/2019 13:34

I love making paper lists. Anything that comes up gets added to the back of a notebook. Each night I plan the next day of stuff to do and fill a page with stuff from the back. Anything left undone is put to the top of the next day.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Christmas
NotYourTypicalNerd · 29/12/2019 13:50

I just thought of another one - during the summer, when FB ads in groups went up - not the paid-for ads, just the local group telling people what's happening, I screenshot it and stuck it in a google folder labelled summer. So if we were planning the holidays todos/get out of the house trips we had a ready-made bank of local events. if they were crap we deleted them, if they were good we have them saved to look out for next year. I am now going through doing the same for December - so the local snow globe, light switch on, the best place to drive and see the decorations etc.

ForalltheSaints · 29/12/2019 14:12

A regular and consistent sleep pattern may make all things much easier. Catch up tv is your friend here, no waiting up.

TooStressyTooMessy · 29/12/2019 14:42

@hobnobsaremyfave I love the Boxclever website for family planners / diaries etc. Even if what you like isn’t on there you might get an idea of what it is you want.

Great thread OP!

Villagegreenpreservation · 29/12/2019 15:11

I've just seen someone buying a hot pink expanding concertina file in Tesco in a small Lancashire town as I bought a teal one! Wonder if she's a MNetter?!!

camperjam · 29/12/2019 16:13

Thanks for the whistlefish recommendation, I've just got all my cards for the year and a load of spares for £26 posted

helpneedshoes · 29/12/2019 17:23

love the monthly receipt organisation.

PegasusReturns · 29/12/2019 17:51

I save all my £5 notes - then whenever kids need cash for school it’s there available.

TooStressyTooMessy · 29/12/2019 18:39

Oh yes Pegasus, I save my £1 coins too for school. Think I got that from a similar thread on here.

Okbutno · 29/12/2019 19:12

I don't have children so don't have multiple people's lives to manage! But next year I'm probably going to start working freelance. I'm thinking about how to manage life and work when they start to be a bit less seperate. Any tips? I use trello at work to keep to do lists and deadlines for different bits of projects or work plans.

Wondering if I should keep with this for freelance stuff and keep a paper diary/to do list.

Okbutno · 29/12/2019 19:15

To try to add to the advice and not just take.. I take photos of all letters with appointments or anything I need to remember. I also take lots of screen shots of events on Facebook etc as I often can't find them again even if I click interested! I also try to have a plan for the week ahead on a Sunday checking on with dp on the week ahead.

Bowerbird5 · 29/12/2019 19:23

Going to read the rest later but to those thinking about calendar card planning Lakeland has a calendar with a pocket I’m going to get one of those to put the written and stamped cards in.
At present I have a box with files of months of the year. I buy cards whenever I see ones I like. Lots of young artists sell their cards for about £2.50 which I like to support. They are often blank so can be used for any occasion. Quite cheap for a little piece of art.

Weffiepops · 29/12/2019 19:40

I bought an A 4 diary and every day I will write all the food I have eaten, what my weight is and how much money I've spent and on what. I intend to meal plan once a week. Batch cook soup once a week for work lunches, go vegan in Jan.

Londonmummy66 · 29/12/2019 22:45

Thanks for the Whistlefish discount code - now have all the years cards, some cheap wrapping paper and a couple of boxes of notelets for emergency presents for older relatives.

I organised myself last year by sewing a couple of hanging loops on an old pillowcase and using it to store wrapping paper behind the utility room door. I hung a small bag off one of the loops with a pair of scissors, sellotape and if I get chocolates etc with ribbon then I pop the ribbon in the bag too - an instant wrapping station.

elmosducks · 29/12/2019 23:02

I am usually super organised and at this time of year have all holidays booked, bought anticipated birthday presents, reserved venues for parties and events planned for the rest of the year.

This year I am not buying anything in advance. I usually end up with a lot of things in advance that are stashed away.

I am trying to declutter massively and simplify things, so trying to do what we need, when we need it, rather than what I think we might need. Does that make sense?

I have written a list of special dates in my diary to make sure I don't forget anything.

Let's see how it goes...

elmosducks · 29/12/2019 23:07

I am also coming off my phone, removed all SM (except my mumsnet app) as I find the lure and distraction of the phone, and the pressure of things to be remembered/organised is much much more than if I am off grid and concentrating on the needs of just my immediate circle.

So I have a family calendar (I love the Sandra Boynton one, Which I love as it has a coloumn for mum and dad, plus space for my 4DC), and my calendar. So everything will
be written down daily for kids to see and in my bag, plus it gives me two opportunities to check.

Also, it means I can list my lesson plans and reference everything back for report writing etc.

ponygirlcurtis · 29/12/2019 23:08

Thanks for the Whistlefish code, I just counted up all the cards I need in 2020 - around 60! Shock Got 50 of them for £36, an hour spent ordering them but many hours saved having to make special trips out just for cards. Great idea, thank you.

I get all my shopping delivered, I find it saves loads of time - once you have done it a few times you can just go to your favourites and reorder. And if I meal plan ahead it means no food waste and cheaper bills.

Original poster
WireBrushAndDettolMaam · 29/12/2019 23:14

I’ve just ordered a new diary for work. I already have a page a day diary but for my specific needs I have to rule lines for different columns. It puts me off using it and so it always ends up Mess with information missing. So I’ve ordered a salon appointment book with columns already in and it’s in 15 minute time slots which is perfect for me. Hopefully that will keep me in order.

OP posts:
supadupapupascupa · 30/12/2019 08:59

I transfer an amount every month to a Monzo card one each for me and DH. This is for personal spends and misc. I love it because you can create pots on your app. So every pay day I top up pots for hairdresser, nights out, Christmas etc. Anything unspent get moved into spare. I also have a journal which keeps my to do lists, notes, everything really and I take it everywhere. I index it so u can find stuff. We have an online shared calendar but I also weekly copy it onto paper calendar and add a meal plan.

whoknows1230 · 30/12/2019 09:11

I love this thread - so many great ideas!

Parkandride · 30/12/2019 09:34

Ooh love this, going to be doing the cards idea.

No kids here but the dog takes a surprisingly amount of organising since we got it so:

Once a month I email DH at work and coordinate work diaries for the month as best we can. I then have the days he's working from home etc to hand and can book the dog walker for the month, much better than scrabbling around each week and some days being full.

Always buy dog food a bag ahead, so when we open one it's time to get another. Giant bags from a local feed store to get best price and quality

Always deflea on first weekend of the month, and make a note of the packet of the date for this and worming etc

Bulk filling enrichment toys which go in the freezer for when we go out, kongs, licky mats etc, can use our leftovers like porridge, gravy etc too

LittleLongDog · 30/12/2019 09:35

When you leave a room, take something with you.

FrancesFlute · 30/12/2019 12:40

Great thread. Reading in the car travelling back from family. I have a nice new calendar and diary in the boot so will add school holidays and bank hols in when I get home. I use a highlighter to highlight the days so visible at a glance.

I might try the monthly meal planning. My toddler is being a bit fussy with evening meals so I will plan in an alternative for him too, so I don't have to think of it on the spot when my nice tea is rejected! I have been just bunging oven food in for him usually (which is fine!) But ideally not every day.

I'm going to head to Card Factory this week to buy some birthday cards. I did this last year and felt organised but inevitably missed a few people and had to do a last minute dash. I just left them in wrappers as I get put off finding the address and stamp etc. Great idea upthread about writing all out and adding stamp there and then.