LITTLE things that help keep you organised?

[starrychime]

There's a lot of threads about cleaning routines, 15 min sessions etc which I love to read but never get round to following (one day, one day I will!)
Wondered if anyone has some little hints and tips that make things just a little bit easier about the house?
I use paper plates for morning toast, lunchtime sandwiches etc as I HATE washing up (no washer) - and it keeps it down a little bit.
Also keeping a small Ikea drawer sorter in the bathroom with DD's bobbles and clasps so they're to hand in the morning helps a bit.
Anyone else have any little tips?

I try and do a job/chore in each room I am in during the day so putting something away or to one side to take up/downstairs etc.

Quick clean of the bath & shower screen after every use to prevent build up.

I have a pile of clothes which I will ebay first and if it doesn't sell then I will donate to charity. I have 2 charity bags atm so hoping to list it all this weekend.

Batch cook curry sauce & freeze in food bags, then all is needed is to defrost and bung in the slow cooker with meat or veg and dinner is ready with minimal effort.

Holding back the snacks and putting a few out in the cupboard makes it last an extra week. If I put all the snacks out together then it's finished by the end of the week and I have to restock again.

Maximize oven usage by baking a cake/biscuits or scones for the cupboard or freezer at the same time as cooking main meal.

I buy Morrison's own brand bubble bath for a pound and use it to refill hand wash bottles, nobody has noticed the difference! I always keep a giant bottle just for this purpose so I never run out of hand wash.

Marking place

I agree with taking photos of paperwork, dealing with it or binning it. But I find there is always some ongoing paperwork I need to be able to lay my hands on, e.g. Hospital appointment letters, party invitations etc. so I keep a 1-31 concertina file and put a small number of letters and documents on the date they are due to happen (or a few days before) with any relevant bits and pieces. DD's birthday party ideas go in there as well, I tear out items from mags that are ideas for what to do, gifts she might like and just put them in the date to look at nearer the time. It does need to be tidied out every now and then! But it is very easy to find those few bits of paperwork and when the date has passed it goes in the bin

Loving this thread.

I recently tackled my carrier bag mountain by folding all the carrier bags into triangles (like people do with crisp packets in pubs). It's tragic but true that this has brought me great pleasure. The cupboard is much tidier, it is easy to find the 'right' kind of plastic bag when you need it and because as you fold you spot any holes I'm no longer holding useless bags, they've gone into the recycling.

I have an organised mum (!) calendar which I love. It has a large pocket for each month so any letters for upcoming parties, appointments or special days at school I pop in the right month (in order of when they happen!!) and they are always there to hand.

Getting everyone to have everything they need for the following day ready the night before, that means every stitch of clothing out on the chair in their room, bags checked and ready to go by the door. Started this when they were two and it's just a habit now.

Seen this linked from another thread so just had to place mark to read later!

Amazon - I have several wishlists; one for me, one for ds and one for ideas for other people. Every time I think of an idea for birthdays / xmas presents I add it to the list, it doesn't just have to be things from Amazon, you can add items from any website. Then I add bits in the comments box, eg. I would like chimenea for the garden, doesn't have to be this particular one but would prefer it to be x height or y colour. Then, when people ask what ds would like I have a list ready, or when I go xmas shopping I already have ideas for other people.

Second Amazon tip - if I can buy birthday presents for others from Amazon I do as it can be sent directly to them, rather than faffing around waiting for it to be delivered, then repackaging and posting.

placemarking!

Things that help me..

Get all clothes ready the night before.. down to a pants and socks and hair bobbles... I also get out school shoes as mine have a tendency of disappearing under a sofa or somewhere over night...

Make lunches the night before too.. make elder kids get school bag/bus money ready the night before too

I'm a big fan of taking something out of a room that doesn't belong there.. it really works. I also have a stair basket which is very handy. I ama nightmare for loosing keys so I put up a key holder in my hallway and try and stick to putting my keys there.

I need to meal plan desperately. This is what stumps me the most..

Slowly I'm going through cupboards etc and getting rid of tat and general shite that is not used and clogs the place up. Much easier doing this than trying to blitz everything at once.. it can be overwhelming so even just doing a drawer at a time helps..

I've just discovered and spent a couple of days reading this fabulous thread!

Thought I'd give it a helpful bump!

Thank you all; just reading it has made me feel more organised!

This is a great thread (though I think I have read it before and am no more organized).

"Shiteboard" needs to enter the lexicon.