Things you've done to simplify your life

[faithfulbird20]

Less laundry and drying will be mine for this year. I used to wash everything mostly after one wear. Especially my kids clothes. Just realised no wonder our clothes don't last and look dull really easily.

@Twinkleylight

My previous post was for *@Quackpot* & *@jamandmarmaladethesecondcoming*

Most of the frozen veg are under £2 a bag and I use own mainly brand. The Iceland and sainsbury's own brand vegetables are really good. I always have their frozen corn on the cob to bulk out pizza meals.

ooh thank you! @Twinkleylight yes this is helpful. We have a Sainsburys delivery i will look at this!

thanks again.

I don't know why you were judged on something like plastic waste either when froxen comes in plastic bags anyway!

cheers again for the tip.

@jamandmarmaladethesecondcoming
Thank you. We all do what we can to reduce plastic waste but we don't always have a choice.

@WheresTheEscapeKey - re: meal plans... not the same as @bluesky45's meal plans obviously, but I use a meal plan I saw on a thread a few years ago that I find helpful (I can't find the post now but I kept a copy of the meal plan).

It's weekly meal plan with the same basic ingredients each day of the week so it makes shopping easy, but still allows a bit of flexibilty.

Sun - Roast chicken/meat, or casserole, veg, mash or new or roast potatoes,
Mon - Fish (could be fish pie, battered fish, fish fingers or fishcakes, tuna and pasta bake).
Tues - leftovers from Sun - meat or chicken cuts mixed with rice, pasta or noodles and sauce, or made into a thick soup with croutons, bread rolls or garlic bread or baguette. If no left-overs then macaroni cheese or pasta of some type drizzled with olive oil and mixed with sundried tomatoes and topped with grated cheese.
Wed - Mash or jackets - could be jacket potato and filling; or bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, or bubble & squeak. Veg or salad
Thurs - Egg based meal - egg & chips; quiche; egg bacon and beans; ham & eggs; french toast. All with salad.
Fri - As Monday
Sat - Pizza or a ready meal, or home made burgers/hotdogs, or english cooked breakfast for dinner, or any shop offers. Salad.

@Whatwouldnanado

Amazon subscription for cat food, loo roll, dishwasher tabs, laundry fluid.

This is such a great idea

Ooh some fab ideas. I struggle with meals and keeping things ordered so some greay ideas!

I downsized from a house to a large flat. I got rid of maybe 60 percent of my stuff. It was incredibly cathartic. I know need a few things for my new place but I'm trying to avoid re-building the empire of needless stuff.

Trying to say no to people who take advantage of me for favours. Eg picking their kids up from school, getting shopping when they are perfectly capable, taking their kids out for the day, and not doing everything for my parents when my sibling isn't pulling their weight and needs to help me out.

No one will do me a favour even when I ask and while I dont expect one in return, keep expecting me to help and taking me for granted is not on.

Reducing stuff has definitely made the biggest difference for us. Just the time saved in hunting for things is amazing.

Agree with PP about online supermarket shopping. Game changer for me and means we are less likely to forget something as I add it to to the app when it runs out.

I also use the ziplock bags which are washable for reuse. They are much more use than loads of plastic boxes in our small freezer.

I freeze pretty much anything rather than throw away - it can usually be used in some kind of cooking. Although disappointed the ducks didn't want our peelings.

Also agree re a cleaner - it means our house is tidy at least once a fortnight!

Nap more
Say no
Find a tutor and cleaner etc
Hire a skip
Declutter
Attend church more often these days

Subscriptions for washing tabs ( Smol), loo roll(WGAC) and catfood( Katkins).
Soda stream
Freeze chillies and ginger whole and just grate into dishes
Slow cooker

One tip I haven't seen already mentioned which I have just done this week is to only have one bank account. I used to have 3! Two current accounts and a joint account. I was forever logging in to multiple different banks to find out balances and payments. I switched them all and now have only one; it's made a huge difference.