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Original poster

What efficiency tips do you have that make you feel you're winning at life

126 replies

DangleDonkey · 02/05/2023 00:37

Just that really - what things do you do/ habits do you have that make you feel really productive or efficient?

For me,

  • a bottle of water and a little gym towel (which comes in handy so often for wiping the windows, wiping hands etc) that I keep in the car, plus a few self care bits like lip balm and a nail file that stay in there
  • keeping a pencil inside whichever book I'm reading for making notes in the margins
  • when I'm packing a bag, always making a point to note which pocket I've put my phone charger, medication, purse etc so I don't have to scrabble around for them
  • buying 2 or 3 shampoo/ hair mousse/ packs of nappies at a time so when I think I've run out, I actually haven't!

Interested to hear any other tips!

OP posts:
saveforthat · 09/05/2023 20:34

LoobyDop · 09/05/2023 19:51

I have a routine for that. You need a waterproof bag- I got mine from Amazon, I think they’re designed for stowing dirty nappies while you’re out and about- inside your big bag. But only one towel needed. Also you need to wait until you get home to wash your hair and have a proper shower- that way if you’ve worn a cap your hair is only a bit damp around the edges and can cope.

  1. You need the right clothes on to start with- tracky bottoms or leggings, not jeans, tshirt and hoody not anything that creases.
  2. When you retrieve your stuff from the locker, leave your shoes and socks in there.
  3. Hang up costume, hat and goggles on the hook inside the cubicle door.
  4. Dry self and put clothes on.
  5. Wring out costume a bit, put in waterproof bag with hat and goggles.
  6. Retrieve trainers and socks from locker.
  7. Dry feet and put shoes and socks on.

If you do this, one towel is fine and it doesn’t even get very wet- it’s rolling your wet costume in it that gets it really wet.

Show quote history

There is no way I would get undressed again and have another shower at home. No lockers, very small hotel pool, already use plastic bag for cozzie just don't like standing on wet floor.

MistySkiesAreGone · 09/05/2023 20:44

Executive dysfunction hacks and tips group on facebook, it is fab.

Snoopyandthemuppets · 09/05/2023 20:47

Single parents, busy household and two kids and full time long hour job.

Each Kids has a 7 day calendar in the kitchen with their name on - activities written on it on Sunday evening. They are responsible for packing their own bag.
They are responsible for their uniform.

Youngest aged 9 is in charge of all washing and puts full loads on.

He informs eldest when load is done (he normally checks weather first via Alexa) and she either hangs out or put in tumble dryer - in tumble dryer it come out slightly wet and is hung up by her. Or out on line on hangers etc

lots of uniform at least two weeks worth - so no issues there.

I do not iron.

I tend to cook, youngest boy washes up, older siblings dries and puts away.

both Hoover and choose which room and it rotates.

youngest puts out recycling in bins - eldest puts it out down the drive on collection days and brings it in

both walk dogs, both pick up dog poo

both clean all communal areas - we have a rota

eldest mows huge lawns, youngest waters flowers inside and out

I take care of big stuff eg cleaning windows wills, car, DIY etc

the biggest win - is to stop doing it all and share.

saying ‘I have done this for you mummy’ when it is hoovering the hallway is banned.

I run them around to activities, I work at my job so hard and I move heaven and earth to help them with homework and to get ahead in life or support on activities - drama, paddle boarding, etc so everyone pulls together. Done.

Snoopyandthemuppets · 09/05/2023 20:47

Ps also little trays in fridge and everything spread out eg celery, carrots etc I know what’s in my fridge

Hedjwitch · 09/05/2023 20:57

That 1st of the month plan is insane. Curtains washed every month???

Vgtasd · 09/05/2023 21:00

Love this thread! Placemarking for all the great tips x

NotanotherboxofFrogs · 09/05/2023 21:09

Hedjwitch · 09/05/2023 20:57

That 1st of the month plan is insane. Curtains washed every month???

@Hedjwitch My living room curtains only are washed on the first of the month as they are bright yellow and I have 2 cats who are grey/brown and who like to slide in at the side of the curtains and leave their fur on the side of the curtains which is very noticeable so by washing those each month it keeps them clean.

They do the same in other windows so those curtains get washed every quarter as they don't show it as much. The living room is the most noticeable but I love the bright yellow in here.

NotanotherboxofFrogs · 09/05/2023 21:15

This is the curtains after 9 days so if I didn't wash them monthly, I can only imagine how it would be.

Why doesn't MN have an edit button that I could just add the photo to the previous post.

DiscoBeat · 09/05/2023 21:18

* • buying 2 or 3 shampoo/ hair mousse/ packs of nappies at a time so when I think I've run out, I actually haven't!

I do this too - pretty much all food and toiletries we use has at least one spare duplicate. Haven't run out of anything for months!

katmarie · 09/05/2023 22:20

Mine are:

Set of 5 drawers for Monday to Friday. On a Sunday the kids' school clothes and anything they need for each day of the week goes in. Less stress of a morning, and no panicking that ds needs to wear pink for charity on a random Thursday.

Meal plan, we have white gloss kitchen cupboards and use the high up ones as a whiteboard, one has the meal plan and the next to it has the shopping list.

Coffee machine in the bedroom, at night we take up a little tray with coffee stuff for us, cereal for the kids, and a flask with milk in, all for the morning. We have breakfast and coffee upstairs, and it keeps the kids where we can manage them getting ready in the morning.

Two washing machines and two dishwashers. I have two of each, and could never go back to just one now.

Key hooks - we have a hanging key rack with a space for mine and dhs car keys. Keys get put in their places as soon as we come through the door. If I want to take his car, the keys are on the rack. No hunting for keys.

Mossstitch · 09/05/2023 22:48

Zireael · 05/05/2023 19:39

@LoobyDop "White wine in the fridge on Friday morning"

You win the thread!!

Amateur😜I've bought special drinks fridge so always chilled and available when the need arises! fedup of coming in from work and having to fast chill in the freezer😳

letshaveanicecuppatea · 09/05/2023 23:02

LoobyDop · 04/05/2023 16:32

Handbag and laptop bag checked through the night before I go to the office to check I have everything. Prevents finding out at reception that I’ve forgotten my pass and won’t be allowed in.

White wine in the fridge on Friday morning.

My pass is on a lanyard that I wear around my neck when I'm in the office as it opens internal doors. When I'm wfh I always leave the lanyard looped through the laptop bag handle so I never rush off and forget it.

Told my colleague this when she forgot her pass one day and now she does this too. 😀

Tootiefrooti · 10/05/2023 08:23

I batch cook and freeze in silicone muffin trays carrot and swede/cauliflower cheese/mashed potato. The cakes are pressed out into a freezer bag, available in individual microwaveable portions, save prep time and allow me to pass by veg which is in poor condition or too expensive, e.g. cauliflower. I was going to get rid of my onion chopper but have found it a great time saver for the carrot and swede.
Products which have more than one use appeal to me. Using two additional spray mop heads and white vinegar, I clean the bathroom tiles. The first head is wet with vinegar; the second dry wipes. Floor to ceiling on all four walls takes me no more than five minutes, there is no precarious balancing on the sides of the bath and the tiles gleam. Result!

3moons · 10/05/2023 09:20

Great tips

NotMeNoNo · 10/05/2023 12:59

Tootiefrooti · 10/05/2023 08:23

I batch cook and freeze in silicone muffin trays carrot and swede/cauliflower cheese/mashed potato. The cakes are pressed out into a freezer bag, available in individual microwaveable portions, save prep time and allow me to pass by veg which is in poor condition or too expensive, e.g. cauliflower. I was going to get rid of my onion chopper but have found it a great time saver for the carrot and swede.
Products which have more than one use appeal to me. Using two additional spray mop heads and white vinegar, I clean the bathroom tiles. The first head is wet with vinegar; the second dry wipes. Floor to ceiling on all four walls takes me no more than five minutes, there is no precarious balancing on the sides of the bath and the tiles gleam. Result!

I do this same with fruit in the muffin tray - plums, pear, apple etc - one little "cake" defrosted in the microwave for my porridge every morning.

InvincibleInvisibility · 10/05/2023 15:46

Declutter so cupboards and drawers etc are only 50-75% full. Makes tidying away really easy.

Simplify your life and home as much as possible. I went from 6 saucepans and 4 frying pans to 3 saucepans and 2 frying pans. Have never missed them.

Take the same theory and multiply it for eveything you own. Fewer options = more space and fewer decisions, and quicker tidying and cleaning.

Tootiefrooti · 10/05/2023 20:21

“Fewer options = more space and fewer decisions, and quicker tidying and cleaning.”
I couldn’t agree more. The less I have, the less I have to lose or spend time cleaning.

coodawoodashooda · 10/05/2023 20:27

Tootiefrooti · 10/05/2023 20:21

“Fewer options = more space and fewer decisions, and quicker tidying and cleaning.”
I couldn’t agree more. The less I have, the less I have to lose or spend time cleaning.

Totally agree

Irridescantshimmmer · 10/05/2023 20:38

Overnight oats with banana and raison. Its absalutely delicious

and a life savour in the morning because I made it the night before so don't have to faff about weighing out all ingredients ( diabetic on insulin hence weighing foods)

Set up 2 seperate solar systems indoors. One charges my lights and the other my phone and tablet, which are now off grid.....which is great in this cost of living crisis!

Randobelia · 11/05/2023 23:02

@Snoopyandthemuppets do you have a picture of your stuff in the fridge please?

echt · 11/05/2023 23:10

Don't go upstairs without taking something with you. Same for going downstairs.

I've been trying a wardrobe rationalising - think walk-in - and changed all the woollies/thermals to colour grouping. Didn't work, I kept passing over good clothes in the mass of black. Now I'm going for style, e.g. all cardies, with colour as the subset.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 12/05/2023 00:46

Hooks inside the pantry door for keys
Clothes go onto hangers (those flock fuzzy ones) which then go onto hanger holders to go on the washing line .

I have three metal peg hangers , socks, pants, bras, face cloths all hang up then it's one thing to bring indoors .
Wash small items in lingerie bags

Recycling box in the upstairs hall and kitchen
Keep a jar of £1 coins

Decafflatteplease · 22/05/2023 09:50

LadyOfTheCanyon · 04/05/2023 16:35

I also have a zippered pouch that I swap from handbag to handbag which contains

Pen
Hairbands
Paracetamol
Hand sanitiser
Reading glasses
Headphones
Hand cream
Mints
Couple of testers of perfume
Lip balm
Couple plasters

That way I know I always have the emergency stuff but it's not all rolling round the bottom of my bag.

@LadyOfTheCanyon I need something like this do you have a link?

Piony · 22/05/2023 10:05

@Decafflatteplease it's a great list isn't it? Not too overwhelming. I'm thinking a pretty pencil case or make up bag would do the job nicely.

LadyOfTheCanyon · 22/05/2023 10:07

@Decafflatteplease

Mine is literally a leather cosmetic pouch which was given to me. Nearest sort of thing I can find online is this sort of thing:

https://www.hobbs.com/product/margot-leather-large-make-up-bag/0222-1G06-020000-AUBERGINE-1SIZE.html?istCompanyId=824f54ea-0a39-4058-b121-eab9ef4683b0&istFeedId=a9d2ecb5-7948-4311-bf28-478db37f38b6&istItemId=rwalwapqw&istBid=t&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=18056921002&gclid=CjwKCAjwpayjBhAnEiwA-7enayXhMz0jXaCCH5N7ldVymXhhuseigCTB3jZlRd9stVKSXQVhDngxSxoCVKAQAvD_BwE

There's no individual compartments inside, but it's helpful having somewhere to put the bits that would otherwise just be rolling around inside my bag

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