Remember when we were teenagers and there was so much we wanted to do in a day, and not nearly enough time to do it? Life was hectic, and we couldn’t wait until we were “older” when there was no school, no parental demands, no rules to follow.
Now, flash ahead 40 years. Lots of time to do whatever we choose, but sometimes we scratch our head, wondering what to do next. There’s a lot waiting to be done, but where to start?
This is my point- there is so much to do, but there’s a way to organize yourself (and your home) so that you know what to do and when. All it takes is setting up a plan.
Some things should be done weekly, other’s monthly, a few are done quarterly, or seasonally, and finally, some things we do just once a year. Need some ideas? Okay here we go:
Weekly:
- Cleaning out the refrigerator
- Microwave- heat a measuring up of lemon water until it steams up the inside, then wipe down, and wash the glass turntable
- Clearing up the pile of mail that accumulates on the counter/desk/table, etc.
- Coupons- cut, sort, file, use.
- Meal planning- rough idea of what the menu will be, followed by grocery list, and shopping
- Household chores- vacuum, dust, empty trash, laundry (if you’re lucky to just do it once a week!)
- Visually inspect your car tires
Monthly:
- Bank statement- financial- online bill scheduling, also check on cash-back credit cards, and air mileage cards balances
- Schedule appointments for the following month- whatever happens to need done- oil change, hair color, pet vaccinations, etc.
- Prescription refills
- Taxes- if you own a business you know there’s a ton of monthly items to keep track of, including rent
- Supplies from Membership stores like Costco or Sam’s Club-( rug shampoo, toilet paper, detergent, toothpaste, etc.)
- Fertilize houseplants/outdoor garden plants (if applicable)
- Holiday decorations- make sure you have what you’ll need on hand
- Birthday gifts- make a list of the month’s celebrations and plan what you’ll be buying as gifts- ordering online means you’ll have to allow for delivery time
- Vacuum/Dust under those beds!
- Vacuum out your car, detail, (and I vacuum out the little air filter in the glove box, too)
Quarterly and/or Seasonally:
- Main Hall Closets- take out coats you don’t need, according to season; arrange shelves for sneaker/sandals vs. boots/booties; vacuum or sweep out, and put a dryer sheet on the shelf to leave it smelling fresh.
- Clothes/Bedroom Closets- organize according to season, item type, and color. Arrange shoes that you’ll be wearing with those outfits, along with scarves, purses. Make sure you clean out your purses, too. Put out-of-season ones in the back or in a spare-bedroom closet. Keep everything you’ll need for a complete outfit in your closet, so there’s no running around. Be super-woman and do all your bedroom closets in one day, or spread it out.
- Donations- while you’re cleaning and arranging those closets, decide what you can donate, make a pile, writing down each item (for tax purposes), box it up and get it out of the house. Make sure you get a receipt. There are approximate values for items online, just google.
- Windows- nobody likes this one, but if you do it more often, it’s easier!
- Garage- tidy up and sweep out. Put things back that were taken out and used. Store out-of-season items like bikes, skateboards, skiis, etc.
- Refrigerator/Stove/Freezer- move out and clean behind. Clean out the coils, dust off the back. Clean that oven, clean out each burner pan.
- Wrapping paper/tape supply- it’s bad when you’re in a hurry to wrap a gift and the roll is empty, or there’s no more tape or ribbon
- Last-minute gifts-on-hand: when you find out the elderly neighbor is celebrating her birthday today, as you take her mail over that was in your box by mistake; or your child announces it’s his teacher’s birthday tomorrow; (you know what I’m talking about- those last-minute “hey, I just wanted you to know I thought of you!” gifts) * Some great gifts to keep on hand are: wine, candles, luxurious hand or body lotion, scarves, candy, ornaments, etc etc. **Lots of these are at TAMI LOVES!!
- Smoke detector batteries
Annually:
- Thorough (moving out, and replacing) GARAGE contents. It makes the quarterly ones easier. Takes a full day, but so worth it when you pull in and everything is neat and tidy. Makes me FEEL GOOD!!
- Basement- if its unfinished, clean it all out, sweeping and removing cobwebs
- Check Christmas lights, outdoor displays
- Paint- touchup your porch rails, fence, etc.
- Clean lawn furniture with the pressure washer/hose
- Decide if old bills from 7 + years can be shredded and discarded
- Computer/laptop cleaning to keep it up to speed and fast
- Re-pot root-bound plants
- Lawn mower tune-up
- Snow-blower tune-up
Hopefully, this gives you an idea, but of course, your list will be specific to your household items. You’ll think of even more things once you sit down and start your list.
The idea here is to become organized without being overwhelmed. Breaking it down into frequency of job helps to put things into perspective. You can do this!! All hope is not lost. Organization seems like a dirty word, but believe me, it isn’t.
Do you need help? Is something overwhelming you and you don’t know where to begin? Let me know!! Does somebody out there need encouragement? I’M HERE!! Message me, or stop by the shop, I can help get you started with a plan!
Tami Loves…helping others help themselves
