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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Life hacks

188 replies

thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:09

Aibu to ask for your life hacks

Very unorganised

So far this year

I got a set of cards ready for birthdays , thank you etc

Have cash in the house for clubs etc

School uniform set out for each day on a Sunday

Ok so far that's all

Any one else any good ones???
❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️

OP posts:
neverknowinglyunreasonable · 21/02/2023 18:13

I do my crying in the shower so nobody sees me.

Also batch cooking.

Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:16

Yea batch cooking

Got a slow cooker so aiming to get a batch made each Sunday

Freezing left over slices of bread for when we run out and can't get to the shop

Hmmmmm mine are pretty crap so far 🤣🤣🤣🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
Klex · 21/02/2023 18:17

Box full of 5 or 6 £10 presents for unexpected party invites (nursery stuffs them right at the bottom of his bag so sometimes I've only seen them at the last minute

NeedToChangeName · 21/02/2023 18:20

Make pasta sauce in bulk and freeze in takeaway dishes. Good staple for when you can't face cooking

With laundry, just always keep on top of it

Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:20

Ah yes
Love that !!!!

Also been buying one small thing a month for the kids so I don't panic but at Xmas

Worked ok apart from one gift my 5 year old dd had lost interest in over the few months when I got it

OP posts:
Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:20

NeedToChangeName · 21/02/2023 18:20

Make pasta sauce in bulk and freeze in takeaway dishes. Good staple for when you can't face cooking

With laundry, just always keep on top of it

Love this !!!

Also if there is a small bit of wine left (rare)
Freeze for sauces

OP posts:
Randobelia · 21/02/2023 18:28

@neverknowinglyunreasonable how do you save it for then? Currently just finished a crying spell as my Dad was being a complete wanker to me and simultaneously feel very triggered by listening to the Witch Trials of JK Rowling podcast today (I went through domestic abuse similar to what she went through, a long time ago but brought it all back). I can't delay tears when they start ;(

Oh a lighter note carry a Sharpie in your bag for when you inevitably forget to label DC's new school stuff.

Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:29

Yes to the sharpies

I have drawers full of them need to keep some in the car

Re crying
My dad died few weeks back
I seem to manage to only cry at his graveside

OP posts:
Workinghardeveryday · 21/02/2023 18:32

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 21/02/2023 18:13

I do my crying in the shower so nobody sees me.

Also batch cooking.

That is so sad. Hope you’re okay xx

SouperNoodle · 21/02/2023 18:35

I bulk buy kids presents so I'm not panicking the night before a birthday party.

This is super outing but I keep sticker books in the kids first aid kit. While I'm cleaning cuts and grazes, I get them to flick through the sticker books to choose which they want and it stops them from crying/freaking out.

Carry calpol sachets with you. Tear off the end and they can use it like a frube and no mess.

Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:36

SouperNoodle · 21/02/2023 18:35

I bulk buy kids presents so I'm not panicking the night before a birthday party.

This is super outing but I keep sticker books in the kids first aid kit. While I'm cleaning cuts and grazes, I get them to flick through the sticker books to choose which they want and it stops them from crying/freaking out.

Carry calpol sachets with you. Tear off the end and they can use it like a frube and no mess.

Flipping genius
Love this !!!!!!!

Love them all guys
Super helpful xxxxx

OP posts:
Randobelia · 21/02/2023 18:37

I'm sorry for your loss @thisisasurvivor

Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:38

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏

OP posts:
user1471517900 · 21/02/2023 18:39

I put ice cream in the freezer after shopping so it doesn't melt.

MrsMoastyToasty · 21/02/2023 18:39

Deal with the post the same way you would do in an office. Bin the envelopes and flyers; Deal with it immediately or have a pending tray that you revisit on a regular basis; have a filing tray and file documents regularly . I'm in the process of switching from paper documents to online ones where possible (my inbox has folders for each utility for example).

Lkydfju · 21/02/2023 18:39

I have a family calendar that absolutely everything goes on and I look at each morning while I drink my tea so I don’t miss stuff. I actually even started writing on it when I’d washed towels and bedding (just in initials) as I felt I’d lost track of so much.
I also was very organised and in the notes section for each month I put what I might need to do for the following month such as ordering summer dresses for school went on February and so did world book day costume
A shared shopping list with DH on our phones has helped us remember everything

Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:40

Lkydfju · 21/02/2023 18:39

I have a family calendar that absolutely everything goes on and I look at each morning while I drink my tea so I don’t miss stuff. I actually even started writing on it when I’d washed towels and bedding (just in initials) as I felt I’d lost track of so much.
I also was very organised and in the notes section for each month I put what I might need to do for the following month such as ordering summer dresses for school went on February and so did world book day costume
A shared shopping list with DH on our phones has helped us remember everything

Super

Making a list now guys

Thanks again xxxxxx

OP posts:
Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:41

MrsMoastyToasty · 21/02/2023 18:39

Deal with the post the same way you would do in an office. Bin the envelopes and flyers; Deal with it immediately or have a pending tray that you revisit on a regular basis; have a filing tray and file documents regularly . I'm in the process of switching from paper documents to online ones where possible (my inbox has folders for each utility for example).

Yes me too actually

And school notices on paper
Take pics of them all and save in favourites folder on phone

OP posts:
Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 18:41

user1471517900 · 21/02/2023 18:39

I put ice cream in the freezer after shopping so it doesn't melt.

I am so bad at never doing this 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 21/02/2023 19:18

Have a basket in the bottom of the airing cupboard. When the kids put something on and doesn't fit it goes straight in the basket. Saves having to do massive wardrobe sort outs and you regularly empty the basket into a charity bag.

If you need to defrost the freezer put a bowl of boiling water in it to speed things up.

Line the base of the BBQ with foil to make it easier to clean up. Toast burger buns in the toaster - only though of this the other day after dropping them through the bbq grill.

Save old toothbrushes for scrubbing grout.

Wash socks in pairs with the top folded over so you don't need to sort them at the end.

Have a laundry basket for each person so that you can wash, dry, fold (iron if necessary) then return it to their room without all the sorting into different piles.

Swap your summer / winter clothing out of your wardrobe is space is tight, store in vacuum bags in the loft. When you out it away chuck out anything you've not worn that season or anything looking too tatty. Make a note of what to invest in for next year.

Ground almonds thicken up a curry. Grated cheese livens up a homemade soup.

If your young kids do swimming lessons after school take pj's or onsie for them to change into after showering.

Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 19:25

WonderingWanda · 21/02/2023 19:18

Have a basket in the bottom of the airing cupboard. When the kids put something on and doesn't fit it goes straight in the basket. Saves having to do massive wardrobe sort outs and you regularly empty the basket into a charity bag.

If you need to defrost the freezer put a bowl of boiling water in it to speed things up.

Line the base of the BBQ with foil to make it easier to clean up. Toast burger buns in the toaster - only though of this the other day after dropping them through the bbq grill.

Save old toothbrushes for scrubbing grout.

Wash socks in pairs with the top folded over so you don't need to sort them at the end.

Have a laundry basket for each person so that you can wash, dry, fold (iron if necessary) then return it to their room without all the sorting into different piles.

Swap your summer / winter clothing out of your wardrobe is space is tight, store in vacuum bags in the loft. When you out it away chuck out anything you've not worn that season or anything looking too tatty. Make a note of what to invest in for next year.

Ground almonds thicken up a curry. Grated cheese livens up a homemade soup.

If your young kids do swimming lessons after school take pj's or onsie for them to change into after showering.

Total genius !!!!!!

The one for the old clothes to go in the airing cupboard is 💯

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏

OP posts:
Galwaygirl · 21/02/2023 19:25

I get up half an hour earlier in the morning, game changer!

NEmama · 21/02/2023 19:25

Hairdryer or two to de frost the freezer more quickly

Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 19:26

Ps we are forever loosing socks and pulling out clothes that don't fit

OP posts:
Original poster
thisisasurvivor · 21/02/2023 19:26

Galwaygirl · 21/02/2023 19:25

I get up half an hour earlier in the morning, game changer!

To work out ? Sort stuff out?

OP posts:
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