To ask: please share your life hacks?

[IDoDaChaCha]

Are there things you do that make your life easier? I'm a single mum hoping to have another baby (both with donor sperm) and I want to learn how best to manage time, which isn't finite!

Share your life hacks with me?

I like stuff like: running bleach around the rim of the bath and taps and same with the sink, going off to do something else and rinsing it all later.

I need to pick your collective brains!

I love this thread!
My tip is if you use a wipe to wash your face, when you're done use it to wipe around the sink, taps, and loo seat. Saves cleaning time and only takes 30 seconds in a morning.

Clear your clutter to make cleaning and tidying easier and make sure everything has a place. We really don't need as much stuff as we're trained to think we do.

Buy less. Links with the above point and means you have more money and time to spend on things you really need. (Can afford to work p/t etc.)

Make up big batches of food and freeze the leftovers into portion sizes. Also, freeze leftover bread before it goes mouldy.

Keep a small purse of change in the car - for parking, coffee etc.

Use a chest of drawers to store shoes. Sandals at the top, boots at the bottom.

Live by the sea - there's always something to do which is cheap (picnics, building sandcastles etc).

Buy birthday cards in bulk, well in advance and have a few spare in case.

Keep an online doc of present ideas through the year and aim to buy all Xmas presents by October, so you can better enjoy the Christmas season.

If you shop in Tesco (boo hiss!) swap your points for vouchers to get the most out of them.

Washable rugs, curtains etc.

Stop ironing. Dry flat.

Put a load of washing in the machine before you go to bed - set it to wash on the timer so it is ready to hang out straight after breakfast - also the best time (morning) to fold and put away all dry clothes and get the next day's wash ready. If you do this religiously every day, you won't find yourself snowed under with piles of dirty/clean laundry to deal with.

Meal plan. Have a set day to do an online shop. I always make sure I have a spare of every essential product e.g. Washing up liquid, hand soap so there are no last minute runs to the shop if I run out!

Keep an ongoing shopping list on the fridge door.

Get a really cheap pen holder for the fridge door too.

Tip from Youtube (but not tried myself as I like variation)

Batch cook only 3 times a week - When preparing a meal, make enough food for two nights and eat the same again the following night.

I've started having a bath with DD in the evening instead of a shower separately in the morning. Saves water, we have fun hanging out, both in pjs by 7pm. In the mornings when she naps I catch up on emails, freebies, freecycle (godsend: moving house and been given all boxes and packing materials). As a result of this am's research I got a free large Dominos pizza, a free latte (o2), a free hot chocolate, a free Little Dish baked beans and a free loaf of Warburtons bread. Good freebie day!

I wouldn't put the washing machine on overnight, or before going out. Our last washing machine caught fire. Luckily we were in, so no damage was done to the rest of the kitchen, but it was really scary.

If you eat sliced meat in sandwiches, it's cheaper to buy a joint, roast it and slice. Then portion, (I usually put enough for 2 sandwiches in each portion) wrap each portion in foil, then put the packs in a freezer bag and freeze.

I got a bundle of 'kylies' (washable incontinence pad sheets) on freecycle I use for changing DD's nappies and under cotbed sheets in case of leaks. They're one of the best things I've ever been given on freecycle!

Yabu to use the term "hack". Suggest tips a better term.

TeaCake5 any actual 'tips' to contribute..?

I employed a cleaner. Best. Thing. Ever.

Buy a ceiling hung drying rack ( various names regionally). I think Sheila maid do them online. Never iron again.

Ooh another.
I love shopping on the yellow stickered items. Freeze immediately but keep a record in a book or spreadsheet - book easier - of what's in the freezer.
I have saved hundreds and hundreds of pounds on gorgeous food that way.

My number one tip is 5 mins or less - if something takes 5 mins or less just do it - don't put it off, add it to a list - just do it. It frees your brain up for other things.
When DD1 was a baby and I went back to work I really struggled. So I wrote down absolutely everything I had to do in the morning and then planned it out in a sensible order. I carried it around with me and stuck to it until it became a habit. It saved me 30+ mins - mainly because I was running up and down stairs less. I more or less stayed with the same routine as they got older. (Only downside - I have sent DD2 to school without breakfast because we were out of routine so I forgot )
When I worked FT (and DP worked crazy long hours) I followed a rota of certain household chores to do on certain days -didn't go to bed until they were done.
Sun - was laundry and cleaning day (I would do washing in the week if nec but I completely emptied the dirty laundry baskets on Sundays) and whilst the washing machine was constantly going I did a quick once over of the whole house. It took less than 3 hrs to do the minimum but I would try and do a 'bigger' job -like hoover under beds or defrost the freezer.
If you do a basic run round once a week, rather than leaving till it really needs doing it never gets too bad so doesn't take long.
I did daily 10 min tidy ups before bed (get DCs involved asap) and a kitchen wipe down. I tried to do a tidy up before leaving in the morning too - so you get up and come home to a cleanish space.

Mon pm was ironing (which I don't do any more) and putting away. Make sure all the clean clothes are put away one day a week -so it never builds up. Have enough drawer/cupboard space so it is easy.

I have 'kondo'd' - vertically folded- my and DCs clothes now which I would highly recommend - once you get into the habit the folding takes as long as normal folding and it means drawers keep tidier even when DCs dress themselves.
And I am ruthless - I have a recycled clothes bag always on the go (I go past a clothes bank once a week) and if I can't fit something easily in a drawer something has to go (vertically folded and you can see what you have so it is easy to choose something.)

When DD1 was a baby I had 6 complete outfits for nursery on hangers - including tights/cardis etc. No daily thought needed. When she grew out of something I replaced the outfit. (I needed the 6th for the Mon before I'd put everything away.) Plus a few pairs of leggings/t-shirts etc for spare clothes at Nursery and weekend wear.
Once at school - plenty of uniform -very young (and mucky) 5 sets -and a spare set in a size bigger -just in case. And 2 gym kits - clean one into bag when you take the dirty one out. (Replace spare clothes in nursery bag if nec as soon as you get home too)
Tuesday was my big grocery shop day. I had a list (in excel) of everything I usually bought and had printed copies on a noticeboard. I would add 'odd' things to it over the week and go through and cross off everything I didn't need before I went. I now have one in Google Keep -more or less the same and check things off on my phone.

Wed - household paperwork -pay any outstanding bills etc and/or batch cook
Thur - my work - reading, write ups etc

Fri - my partner's business paperwork/accounts
Sat - do something fun with DC day...(and eg shoe shopping if nec)

I also had a menu plan - 4 weeks rotating - with easy meals for eg Tue - when I knew I would be home late (pre internet shopping...)

And batch cook things like bolognaise and chilli - 20 mins to cook pasta whilst microwaving sauce and its ready . Your freezer is your friend - (I used to freeze some bread and milk - so I didn't need to do a top up food shops)

Also use google calendar -with reminders and have an online to do list (I use an app called 'ticktick'). As soon as something comes up add to calendar and anything you need for it to your to do list.

But try and deal with things straight away. Go through their nursery/ school bag everyday - add things to calendar, sign permission slips, pay extras etc (hoard £1 and £5 notes) then straight back into the bag to go back the next day.
Scan or photograph notes etc - put into google keep or similar and bin the paper copy. I do this for party invites too - text to accept/decline immediately, calendar, invite into Keep, add buy present, wrap etc to 'to do' app with a completion date and reminder. (I keep a shopping list in my ticktick for odd things - like more wrapping paper or get a new key cut etc - so if I am ever near shops etc I can check if there is anything I need to get)

For activities - have a bag for each. Keep everything in there - as soon as kit is washed straight back into the bag - and like school bags check for notes etc as soon as they get home and deal with them -signed, scanned, back in the bag to go back.
If I do really need to keep a paper copy of something for a while I put it in an A4 binder in polypockets.

Sorry huge post...I guess the main thing comes down to 5 mins or less - instead of thinking I must remember to sign that permission slip, then when you go to do it you can't find it...so I must remember to ask for a new one etc .... and also I really must find time to sort out that huge paper pile - if you deal with them asap it doesn't become a problem -another task that needs doing. Same with keeping on top of the laundry - tidy drawers as you go along/put washing away - means it doesn't become an overwhelming and additional task - I must find time to have a clear out of DCs drawers etc...

Just downloaded google keep and ticktick I want unlucky to come organise me and my house

Tips to reduce wifework :

Minimise effort, cost, clutter, litter and wasted time, agree that all adult presents for birthday and tatmas stop now.

To save effort and electricity making smoothies, use teeth to chew.

Order less or nothing from well known firms that don't pay tax and send you a ton of cardboard. Save money and have less recycling!

And doesn't an airing cupboard have a hot water tank and heating pipes in it??? How is a low energy bulb going to dry clothes ?

Dab some of your lipstick on each cheek and rub it in. Subtle blushed that goes well with your lippy. Honestly try it.

Make your own mash! Make a huge pan of it then freeze it in portions. I do, lots of easy kids teas

Leave tea / coffee stained mugs overnight with washing powder and water - if you put tea spoons in it brings them up a treat too!

Dry shampoo - the Aussie one is best, Baliste second best. Spray in BEFORE bed. Brush out in morning. Loads of volume, hair does what it's told. Used to wash hair daily (have fine lank greasy hair). Can now go 3 days. Brilliant and life changing.

Epilator - no need to shave legs daily (if like me you like smooth legs). Can do it about once a fortnight, takes ten minutes. Plus regrow isn't spiky like with a razor and is lighter so really can go for longer. DH has commented that he actually likes my legs with the fine hairs now!

These 2 things have saved me loads of time with daily personal grooming.

Frozen tomatoes - pick your tomatoes from greenhouse and the. Feeeze an amount you would get in a tin, whole in a freezer bag. When making spaghetti Bol., or a curry etc, just throw in pan whole and frozen in the same way you would a tin.

Ditto previous tip about frozen onion. I have a massive bag of chopped frozen onion and just grab a handful when needed.

Oh and on morning when I do school run and then straight to work, I make a smoothie the night before and leave in fridge in the flask. Then on way to work I drink it, or have at work. Saves time in morning so I can get ready whilst DD eats her breakfast.

Sell your DH and DC on the internet and haggle for the best price. You'll find things SO much easier to manage and, bonus ..... you'll have a few extra quid in your pocket

stevie 😂😂😂