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Original poster

Things you've done to simplify your life

287 replies

faithfulbird20 · 03/01/2022 17:17

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.

OP posts:
latedecember1963 · 03/01/2022 20:31

I've really enjoyed reading the suggestions on this thread. I made a start on simplifying our life a couple of years ago by filtering out things we no longer need and buying less. I don't do online shopping so having limited opportunities to go on shopping trips has really helped to reset my lifetime habit of picking things up that I don't need.

Like a PP, I've started to become conscious of not wanting to leave my sons with a house full of stuff to sort through. My dad was a hoarder and when mum and I were sorting out one of his sheds ready to put the house on the market I'll never forget her saying, " It's a good job he's already dead, because I could kill him now!"

YukoandHiro · 03/01/2022 20:31

"Try to teach your kids not to give a shit about keeping up with everyone else."

This is such good advice @rrhuth

thecatsthecats · 03/01/2022 20:34

We have a new slow cooker and a meat order that comes once every three months. The plan is that for five days after it arrives, do a batch a day, which makes dinner those nights plus six extra portions. So after five days we have 30 frozen ready meals.

crackofdoom · 03/01/2022 20:35

I refuse all nonsense requests from the school/ PTA as a matter of course. No, I’m not sending them in in spotty clothes with a prize of chocolate for the raffle. Nor am I sending them in dressed in orange with an orange raffle prize ( they don’t care about dressing up, luckily). Getting sponsorship for some bollocks Santa fun run? Not going to happen. Etc etc…

Dodgyveneers · 03/01/2022 20:38

@wizzler

I used to buy xmas and birthday presents for kids of friends ( older kids... teens) and friends used to buy for my kids. Not people we see a lot so didn't really know what the kids liked or didn't like. Decided to call a halt to it and life became simpler..
Did you address this or just stop as I really want to do this.
nevisbump · 03/01/2022 20:41

I have a multi cooker that I use for pretty much everything. Great for pasta, bung everything in and once it comes to pressure only 6 minutes to cook and don't need to stir or watch for pots boiling over. Means I can help DCs with homework and finish up work.

Every second Saturday is pizza night here, sounds daft but it's the one day I don't have to really think about cooking or what to make, it's also the night where we don't need to eat at the table or even in the same room. Easy to make and easy to clean up

AngelinaFibres · 03/01/2022 20:59

There is a phrase I find incredibly useful when considering whether I really need to buy something to add to the huge amount of stuff I already have.
It goes.. ....
"We spend most of our lives working ourselves to death to get even more money to buy things we don't need to impress people we don't even like ".

Wheredidthequietgo · 03/01/2022 21:02

Always cook extra so there's warm up for tomorrow

Fallagain · 03/01/2022 21:09

@crackofdoom

I refuse all nonsense requests from the school/ PTA as a matter of course. No, I’m not sending them in in spotty clothes with a prize of chocolate for the raffle. Nor am I sending them in dressed in orange with an orange raffle prize ( they don’t care about dressing up, luckily). Getting sponsorship for some bollocks Santa fun run? Not going to happen. Etc etc…
I suggest the the PTA that they give their bank details out every term and we could donate money without all the other crap. It didn’t go down well.
Lacedwithgrace · 03/01/2022 21:10

I have a planner and meticulously plan most details of my life including meals, chores, etc. It doesn't take long to fill out and most weeks I follow the same plan but it means I have a few less things to worry about and can manage time better.

I do online grocery shops once a week with the same shopping list- basics like bread, milk, fruit, chicken. Then if there's anything else we want I go to the shops, it means I don't forget anything we need.

I have a tidy life with no clutter but we have a lot of stuff so I don't have to search for anything and have everything I need plus extra. Good storage is a must and I use the 'don't put it down, put it away' idea.

This year I'm going to start buying Christmas presents throughout the year so I don't have to panic buy or go into shops for no good reason.

Dogmum40 · 03/01/2022 21:21

I’ve stopped ironing

I’ve stopped making pastry, the shop bought stuff is good enough in fact as well as pastry I’ve stopped making complicated meals

Online shopping for everything except clothes

Cordless vacuum cleaner

Sounds crazy but one spray cleaner that does everything in every room, instead of various sprays, it’s cheaper and I think quicker as I’m not faffing around trying to find the right one anymore (I still use bleach in the loos though and separate cloths)

I’ve bought silicon baking tins and sheets! Nothing ever sticks to them, it’s a game changer 😆

Decluttering everything in our home and to be fair if the husband sits for long enough he’s going on vinted too

My list isn’t that exciting but they’ve all made life a little easier

DroopyClematis · 03/01/2022 21:24

[quote YukoandHiro]@DroopyClematis My MIL's house was like this when we had to deal with it. Charity shops turning us away etc. And yet we've amassed all kinds of crap over the years. We are planning to move this year and I intend to be extremely ruthless. I'm even considering letting every one of my CDs go, which would be a big step. [/quote]
Good luck! I’m still toying with my CDs, despite not owning a CD player 🙄

justustwoandmoo · 03/01/2022 21:32

I stopped ironing! 😀

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 03/01/2022 21:33

"It's a good job he's already dead, because I could kill him now!"

Sorry but that made me laugh!

We've had to clear out PIL's house this year and it has inspired me to get rid of the crap in our house. I've also found the Stacey Solomon programme quite inspiring. Started rolling all mine and DD's clothes in drawers and towels in the airing cupboard and find it's made life a bit easier because you can see exactly what you've got.

Anyway, my tip is that if you eat a lot of chicken breasts chopped up in meals but always remove the bits of skin or stringy bits, buy a load, prepare them in bulk and freeze in useable portions. Then just take a pot out in the morning and left to defrost during the day - no chopping boards or knives to clean.

Plus I make pesto and freeze in the Annabel Carmel cube tray (fuck knows why I bought it considering I did BLW) and just use individual cubes when making panninis and wraps for lunch.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/01/2022 21:33

Yes to bought pastry!
I also buy pizza dough.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 03/01/2022 21:40

Definitely yes to bought puff pastry (I find shortcrust really easy so don't bother buying that). Everyone seems to love tarte tartin and it is one of the easiest puddings to make.

rrhuth · 03/01/2022 21:45

"We spend most of our lives working ourselves to death to get even more money to buy things we don't need to impress people we don't even like ".
I like this Grin

coodawoodashooda · 03/01/2022 21:46

@Excitedforthefuture

I action things immediately An end to procrastination of any kind Game changer
Yeah if anything feels like mental furniture i just get it done.
coodawoodashooda · 03/01/2022 22:00

@Lacedwithgrace

I have a planner and meticulously plan most details of my life including meals, chores, etc. It doesn't take long to fill out and most weeks I follow the same plan but it means I have a few less things to worry about and can manage time better.

I do online grocery shops once a week with the same shopping list- basics like bread, milk, fruit, chicken. Then if there's anything else we want I go to the shops, it means I don't forget anything we need.

I have a tidy life with no clutter but we have a lot of stuff so I don't have to search for anything and have everything I need plus extra. Good storage is a must and I use the 'don't put it down, put it away' idea.

This year I'm going to start buying Christmas presents throughout the year so I don't have to panic buy or go into shops for no good reason.

I did this last year. In October I pulled them altogether and was amazed by how organised I was. Saved such a lot of stress and money.
sleepyhoglet · 03/01/2022 22:12

Declutter (in the process) my clothes. So hard to let go but much easier to get dressed and look more stylish with fewer outfits. Follow the Marie Kondo- spark joy. Don't keep just in case!

Plantsandpuddlesuits · 03/01/2022 22:13

Cordless hoover is a game changer

Weekly scheduled online grocery delivery, get one with an app so you can instantly add things as you think of them. We use ocado.

Pay things " in bulk" if you can eg school meals we pay termly rather than weekly so then its done. Nursery used to ask for £1 a week for snack we used to just give them "£50 at the start of the year and be done!

We have a weekly takeaway plus a weekly recipe box kit delivered so don't need to think of meals at least 2 ights a week

FireworkParrot · 03/01/2022 22:16

At least two weeknight meals are really simple.....beans on toast, egg and chips, jacket potatoes, soup etc. This is mainly for cost savings but also they're just quicker and easier to sort, especially after work.

The DC have a few hooded animal or superhero onesies. Just the standard zip up ones. They've been a lifesaver for fancy dress days at school (eg DD2 has a hooded tiger onesie.....Tiger That Came to Tea, done.) But they also wear them after swimming and just generally for chilling out around the house so have had decent use out of them.

Google calendar that DH and I both have access to so either can update or see what's planned in.

20 minute HIIT workouts. Still cardio exercise and proven to be good for you, just done with quickly and can easily do from home with no extra equipment.

41sunnydays · 03/01/2022 22:22

@faithfulbird20

Do any of you have one of everything? One shower gel, one perfume, one shampoo, one all purpose spray? How does it work for you? Do you get bored or don't care?
This is prob the one thing that I have managed. I have one shampoo and conditioner for me and the family.

We do keep a separate type in swim bag

One shower gel for everyone, just a fruity one.

I use one perfume, my Chanel that i always use.

Leftbutcameback · 03/01/2022 22:38

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie - for veggie versions which you asked for: risotto (can be baked into balls the next day), sweet potato and bean chili which can be mexican (tacos) the next day, and Ratatouille which I have with everything!

scoobydoo1971 · 03/01/2022 22:53

Delete social media. Wastes my time that could be spent better on family life, work, home and so on.
Never watch TV. Advertising is a constant bombardment of temptations, and that time spent remote control hopping could be better spent elsewhere for me.
Have a purge on the home annually for stuff we don't use. Sell, donate or dispose of it.
Send the kids to the local shop for small purchases using loose change stored at home. Stops me going to buying a dozen extra bits.
Daily rubbish round-up to the wheelie bins.
Cut out toxic people 100%. Anyone who is a leech/ user is systematically avoided as I focus on what myself and my family need to be happy and thrive.
Practice mindful purchasing. If I am browsing online or offline, I will think about it for a day or a week to determine if I really need it, as much as want it...or feel compelled by impulse. It cuts down the clutter and spending in the house.