Organisation Methods, tried and tested. Why they failed for me and what I did about it!

Finding a method that works for me, has taken years!

In the early days of my blogging, I was a fanatic user of the FlyLady method of organisation. I read her book, as well as the "Sidetracked Home Executives" by Pam and Peggy Young. I loved their methodology, that tasks should be scheduled, completed and repeated. I decluttered my home.... twice! We had a huge improvement, but we still ended up with with clutter and mess. I then tried using "The Organised Housewife"and followed her method for a while. But what I found was that I was constantly swamped with emails, advertising and other miscellaneous stuff, that simply filled up my inbox and overwhelmed this Struggling Mum with Aspergers.

I have files and folders full of methods, Card files gathering dust and no desire to reopen any of them.  My desire to be organised and tidy, has sent me on a quest to make life as simple for my overwhelmed brain, as I can. I have to admit, that I have tried zone cleaning apps, timers, post it notes and reminders on my phone. I ended up with everything everywhere.

one of my previous methods

Since starting my Bullet Journal I had an epiphany. I realised that my desire to simplify was in my hands! I took the fly lady method and the zone cleaning app, and turned it into a visual record in my journal. I have made it easy for myself, because I could never remember what tasks, I completed last month. I therefore had windows that haven't been cleaned in 4 years, because I didn't have something visual and easy to read to keep me accountable. NOW I DO!!!

Setting up my zones

recording completed tasks is easy

My simple 2 page spread has all 5 zones, plus a weekend zone for yard work and maintenance. I have drawn it up once. It is now set up for the rest of this year and all of next year. I have also added a notes section, for any details that I need to remember.  The beauty of this method, is there are no adverts, I can quickly see what I need to and it is all kept in one spot. I am also working on creating a daily and weekly home blessings chart in my journal for each month, so that I can see what I need to get done in those areas of household work too.

Because I keep my journal with me at all times, I have easy access to all the information that used to clutter my benches, and email. I can now pick up the one journal and know that everything I need for my day is in easy reach for me. It also makes it easy for my hubby, if he wants to know where he can help out (yes my hubby helps me out with housework and cooking :) ).

I love the zone cleaning method. I really wanted it to work for me. So now, I can make it work, because I have control over it, not it having control over me.

For those of you who are interested, this is how it works:

Each month has 5 zones. From the 1st of the month to the end of the 1st week is zone 1. the next full week is zone 2, then zone 3 and 4 follow respectively. Zone 5 happens in the next week, until the end of the month. It is about doing what you can each month.

The Zones are:
1.   Entry and Hallway/Stairs
2.  Kitchen and Dining Room
3.  Bathroom and Laundry
4.  Main Bedroom and other Bedrooms
5.  Living Room and Home Office.

As FlyLady and the SHE system have already created this method, I give them full credit. I have merely adapted it to suit me. For a more detailed look at this zone method, please check out www.flylady.com.

Coming up next week...

Daily and Weekly home blessing and how to set it up.

Make a list, Check it twice

2nd instalment on Goals and Plans

I love lists, they make remembering things a lot easier. I like to keep things simple here, so having all my lists in an easy to manage journal has become a real life saver. I have been using a Moleskine Chapter Journal

One of the biggest lists I have is for the renovations we want to achieve in our home. I have made a list for each room/space that requires work. This Chapter in my journal, will help keep us accountable to what it is we want to achieve. Just like having a written budget, written goals allow us to see where we are and where we are going.
Writing up a list like this can seem overwhelming at first, however, once it is written and in the book, I can just refer to it when needed.

use an "X" to mark a job complete

Dot points help keep it simple

Each area has it's own page

You can add to your list easily

Or cross out changed ideas

Now I have a clear view of our goals.

Many areas in our life can be managed this way and quite simply. I have lists like this for a number of projects or ideas we are working on, including my blog ideas.

Next week I am going to look into how we can use a journal to keep on top of the daily tasks that need to be done, but are regularly forgotten.

Until then, how are you simplifying your life?

Rivkah

Digging out of Debt... 4 months on...

It has been 4 months since I opened up about how we are digging ourselves out of debt. As I was reviewing the last few months, I realised a couple of things. I am going to be open and honest about it all, so don't call me crazy ;)

Since June we have reduced our debt by slaying the Consumer loan on my sewing machine. We paid it off in July and it was an amazing feeling, having it gone. I am in fact awaiting an interest rebate from the company, as their system crashed and couldn't tell me how much interest should have been deducted from the payout figure. The other part of our debt, the school fees has been slowly dissolving. I had originally said that we would have most of it paid out by the end of the year, but circumstances have changed and we really need to pay them out before the end of the year, as our kids are moving schools in the new year. This last factor has also had it's own financial complications, but are short term. It just meant that there was less to pay onto the old debt this month.

Out of the $13,499.76 we had to left to pay of our debts, we have officially paid off $10,329.80 since January. This leaves us with $3170 to pay by the middle of December. We are guaranteed to pay off another $1400.00, leaving us with $1770 to find in our budget before the end of the year. This is of course a miracle happens ( and I firmly believe in them!)

We have had a couple of Murphy's drain most of our Emergency fund in the last month as well, so we are looking to build that back up again. I have been very slack with YNAB, and stopped budgeting on paper (or app) due to what a friend of mine called "Debt payoff Burnout". I felt like I hit a wall with the debt payoff. We are so close to paying it out and just want it gone, so that we can start fresh.

I am giving us a break with YNAB, as much as I LOVE it, until we have cleared the last of the debt. I think that we will have a new lease on life and be able to work towards our other goals, once we have no consumer debt to worry about.

Our first goal in 2016 will be to rebuild the emergency fund, followed by creating a one month income buffer. Once both of those are achieved we can start saving for our family holiday and kitchen renovations( I told you I was goal oriented!). All of this will be done whilst building up our budget categories for the big expenses that come up over the course of the year.

100 goals for 10 years??

I recently found myself so overwhelmed with all the things that I have to do, want to do, as well as my dreams and goals. I had to do lists, recipes and business ideas strewn all over my house. I couldn't put my thoughts together long enough, to form a single blog post, due to the amount o f pressure I had put myself under.

Enter Bullet Journals!

I actually have two, but this one is what I want to show you. I have adapted the Bullet Journal idea for a particular purpose. I am using a Moleskine Chapter Journal, I picked up on clearance at Officeworks for $5. I have decorated it with Stickers from Kikki-K used Post it note Divider Tabs for each chapter.

Here is how it works. In the very back of the journal, there is a Chapter list. This is where I list what each section is about. I am finding this very helpful, as I LOVE lists!!



You can see that my first chapter is 100 goals in 10 years. Am I crazy?? Maybe a little. This one task took me 3 weeks to complete, but my mind is now free of the thinking clutter about these. I have them written down, so that I can refer to them regularly. Having goals written down, has been proven to make achieving them, 80 percent more likely.

I found the idea for the 100 goals in 10 years on Boho Berry's blog. I have adapted it for my needs, and I am really happy with it. So here they are, for the whole work to see.

I have split my goals into 8 areas:

• Spiritual
• Financial
• Work and Business
• Travel
• Health and Wellbeing
• Family
• Personal
• Big Bodacious Goals

You might notice that, I have already crossed my first goal off. I finished writing the list! Go Me!!

Each of my other chapters in this  journal comprises of lists for renovations, Quilting, books to read, school holiday ideas and meal planning ideas. I will share these lists with you as I build them up.

How do you keep record of your goals and plans?? Would you use this method?? I would love to hear your feedback.

Keeping it Simple, One Day at a time,
Rivkah

Getting the most out Mornings in 5 simple steps

image credit to http://www.savingcentswithsense.net

I get asked often" How do you do it? How do you get so much done?" As a mum of 2 primary school aged kids, who is working, studying, designing, creating quilts and writing a blog, I can attribute my  success to 2 things My faith in Jesus Christ and Good routines.

Because I get asked this question often, I decided to share a little of how I do it.

5 simple routine tasks each day

There are 5 simple things we can each do, to make the day run smoothly and walk out the door with a smile on our faces. Children and adults can do these tasks easily. My daily routine, starts the night before.

1. Wash the dishes, clean the sink and bench.
2. Lay out your clothes for tomorrow.
3. Load the washing machine to start it in the morning.
4. Make your bed as you get out of it.
5. spend a few minutes to scan your home and put away stray items.

These 5 simple things create a simple routine that can be built on over time. Each one of these tasks take only a few minutes and together can save you an hours in cleaning, as you have kept up with the basics. I have found that in the weeks I do this, my home, my mind and my energy all feel better. On the weeks that I don't, I find that it takes me 2 to 3 weeks to get back to the place I was, when I was in routine.

We all grow up with routines. Whether it was your school routine or knowing that play school is on at 4pm. as we get older, many of us feel as though we don't have to continue what Mum taught us. I know I did. I hated washing dishes. I would do my best to get out of any "chore" that I could manage to be too busy for.

Now as an adult and a parent, I have learned the importance of routines. Simple things that help to make the days run smoothly. I hope that the lessons I have learned will help you too

Blessings
Rivkah

Time is precious.....

what are you wasting it on?

I had a really unproductive week, last week. No blog posts, not much housework and I certainly didn't get any of my assignments done. By Saturday, I was feeling tired, worn out and a little down on myself. I know I haven't done much, when hubby scrubbed the kitchen down while I was taking our daughter to art class.

Why am I telling you this? Time is like money, either you use it wisely or you waste it and end up in debt. Time debt is something I have had to deal with a lot over the years, especially in this age of Facebook and other social media. It is so easy to waste a few minutes here and there, 30 minutes on a silly game or get mad at an article that you read on a news site.

Last night, I realised that I have fallen back into that trap again! So with Holy Spirit prompting, I wrote down this list.

Things to avoid vs things I can do

Avoid:

• FB games
• Too much time on Google or news sites
• complaining
• Facebook - during the day
• Television
• procrastinating

Do:

• Read my bible
• File paperwork
• Pray
• Use my timer
• Write a letter
• Listen to an Audio book, while I work
• Use my todo list
• DO IT NOW
• Make God my priority.

Getting our game face on

I have found time and time again, that success, is merely a written list and a timer away from meeting my goals. A successful day is found where 70% or more of the list is complete. Even for me right now, is part of my planned day.

I have set aside 15 minutes to focus on writing my blog.

I DARE YOU to try  it. 

Just like money, success only comes to those who work at it wisely 

God Bless 

Rivkah

Digging ourselves out of debt, one teaspoonful at a time

Do you have that sinking feeling?

12 months ago, we got hit with an unexpected tax bill, the numbers on the page sent me into a cold sweat! We had made an error on our tax 2 years in a row, resulting in over $4000 of tax debt. We were due an annual bonus from my income stream and had forward planned to pay off the kids school fees for the year, so that we could get ahead. However, this not so little visit from Murphy threw us a major curve ball. We were desperate to get out of debt, so that we could have a buffer and maybe even afford to pay for a holiday or new car. We wanted desperately to buy out of a shared equity mortgage, so that we could build our equity ourselves. But our dreams looked like they were sinking. I felt like we were drowning in debt!

The hardest part of this was admitting that we had a debt problem. We faced up to our mistake and made the best decision. We paid the tax debt first. It had an interest rate that was ridiculous and I knew it was wasted money. So talking with the ATO, we came up with a plan. The tax was paid within the time limits given, but we still had the school fees to pay. 

Honesty is the best policy

When we realised that we were drowning, we faced up to the situation. Writing down everything that we owed and what our income was, was the first step to being honest with ourselves.

The next step was one that I chose to do, so that my hubby didn't have the stress. I arranged a meeting with our school principal, to explain the situation. Being honest with creditors early on, makes for less stress. Once we spoke to the school, the pressure was released. We committed to paying what we could until the end of the year, before starting again this year. By doing this, we were able to bring that debt down to just over $3000 by the end of last year.

Our next item to attack was our personal loan. We knew it was eating at our cash flow, with the high interest. We had already committed to paying more on the loan right from the start, but we wanted it gone! By October, we had a plan. We started using YNAB for our budgeting and learned to give every single dollar a job in November.

Once we started using YNAB, we realised where all our cash was REALLY going. We had just heard from our Real Estate friend, who gave us a valuation on our property. We did some calculations and realised that by rolling the personal loan and buying out our property from the Shared Equity scheme, we could afford a full mortgage and climb out of debt.

Moving forward

On December 22nd our mortgage settled and we had enough money left over for a full 1 month buffer plus a small emergency fund. We had money to get Christmas Presents for our kids and best of all we had gone from $30,000+ in personal consumer debt to about $14,000.00.(including the school fees for 2015, as we would be starting the year, behind) We were paying slightly more, but somehow we were better off than before.

We were able to start 2015 with a clear new goal. To clear out the last of the debt. Yes, Murphy has visited a few times over the first half of this year, but his stay has been fairly short. We have less of a buffer than we did have, but we still have our emergency fund and the buffer builds up each month.  By the end of July that $14000+ debt will be down to about half. One debt will be completely gone and the school fees will be on track for an almost full to full payout by the end of the year. 

I haven't written this to brag about our situation. I have done it to encourage and inform you and others, that it can be done. I am always looking for new ways to save money, but make it fun at the same time. If this has helped you, please feel free to share this post with others. My hope is that together we can all climb out of the debt pit.

It's the little things

Over the last few months I have started journaling. I started out with a Sentence a day journal. What I discovered from such a simple starting point from someone who thought she couldn't journal, is that I had more to say than one sentence! It was the beginning of a new habit in my life. It has helped me to look at life through new eyes and want to explore life a little more deeply.


My next step was to start a gratitude journal. I am now running both journals side by side and loving it. I know that if a couple of my very good friends read this, they will be cheering. They have both advocated journaling as a way to work through my thoughts, emotions and to see my journey unfold. Before starting this little habit, journalling seemed like such a daunting task. I was scared of what I would write and what people would think it they read it. Not any more. Each day I can now file away the thoughts and stressors of the day into the journal. I can be really honest with myself and not worry if certain people read it. If they do, then so be it.

If you like I did, think that writing a journal is for the too hard basket, I challenge you to give it a go. Just write one sentence a day for 30 days. I almost guarantee you will be a lover of journalling in no time.

PS. Thank you to my friend Raelene for always encouraging me in this. I now I am not there yet, but I am on my way xx.

Your day is what you make it

Changing view, changing moods

Yesterday I was feeling a little glum. I have been feeing unwell and my old pal anxiety had decided to set up camp for a week or 2. I knew I needed a change of scene and a little out time from being Mum. This is a regular need for me, as a special needs mum. Some days are great, and others not so. My eldest has been a little more work over the last week, due to change in routines. So my stress levels were up.

I decided I was going to get out of the house and make a trip to Ikea. It is my favourite place to go for organisation ideas. It was a pretty special day though, as the new kitchens were being released. Yes I am an Ikea nerd and proud of it! I didn't want to go on my own, as I was still feeling a little fragile from the week. So it was time to "phone a friend", Facebook style. With a new friend in tow, we ventured out to see the new kitchens in all their magnificent splendour. After pawing all the new cabinets and fabulous drawer combinations we sat down for a cuppa in the cafe.

After completing the outing with a quick sprint around the bottom floor to grab a few things on my list, we headed home. I was dreaming of my new kitchen and what it was going to look like.

Upon returning home, I received a message thanking me for the time out. The lesson for me here is, never under estimate how much a person needs to hear that they are doing ok. Just to be a listening ear and share a cuppa can help to find that light that mysteriously disappeared from the tunnel of life. For me, it has confirmed why I have been called to ministry.

Oops I got the wrong product.... but hey..

So when I was unpacking my beautiful new boxes, I discovered I grabbed the wrong one after I had already opened it. No problem... time to repurpose it :)

So now I have a lovely storage box for my EPP(English Paper Piecing) papers.

June Challenge starts now!

Get Ready for Tax Time

This is the last month of our financial year, here in Australia. So what better time to get ready for tax time. Even better, get ready for the new tax year. 

Here are some great tips on getting organised for tax time.

1. Have an A4 envelope to hold all of your tax info for this financial year and Label it.

2. Have one for next year too.

3. Gather all deductible receipts and accounts together into the envelope for easy access.

4. Prepare for the next financial year, by purchasing your vehicle logs etc in advance. 

5. Designate a container to carry the envelopes for each year, when completed.

6. Destroy any tax documents over 5 years old, as you only need to keep 5 years worth.

I have found that when I have needed these documents for bank loans or other financial commitments, brokers and financial planners are always surprised how organised I am. It gives so much peace of mind, as well as making everyone's job easier at the end of the day.

My extra goals for June. 

After plowing through my paper clutter last month, I was left with a bit of filing to do. I have also got a pile of fabric that requires pressing and sorting.

So this month is a filing month!

1. File the last of the important paperwork

2. Sort press and "file" my fabric into the required baskets for project work.

3. Sort our tax time paperwork. 

As I do our taxes myself, I will be able to grab the needed information easily, when it is all gathered nicely. 

A Return to Blogging

Lost in Translation

So for the last 17 months I lost my blogging mojo. My health and life were in chaos, not that most people could tell. I have had to make some tough decisions and learn to live with a very changed me. I am not going to go into detail right now about what I have been through, but my focus has shifted slightly.

Decluttering and organisation are still at the heart of what I do, however I have had to simplify our family life for the sake of my health and wellbeing.

Taking control of my life

I now use a handwritten planner rather than relying on technology to tell me what is happening. I started with a large family planner diary, but found it was too overwhelming to carry and use. So I recently splurged and collected a Kikki K planner while it was on sale. I love that I have been able to customise it to suit my life and the way I want to use it. I am not a fanatical planner user, nor am I the fancy shmancey decorate every page kind of gal. I do however love that it look pretty and is functional at the same time.

As a working and studying mum, I need to be organised. I have learned over the first semester of my study, when my most productive time is. So now I use my evenings (when the kids are in bed) to do my study, my pre readings are done while waiting to collect kids from school and all other errands are done during school hours on my days off. 

I now get up 40 minutes earlier than I used to and start my day in prayer and planning my day.

As a family, we got serious about our debt. As of today, we are down to just over $10,000.00 of debt (other than our mortgage). This has shrunk significantly from 12 months ago. This time last year, we had around $30,000.00 in debt.

Where to now?

I have learned over the course of the last couple of years, I NEED focus. So I now set myself a challenge each month. I hope that over the next few months, I can inspire myself and others to focus, simplify and regain control of mental, emotional and spiritual health, as I prepare for a life in Christian Ministry.

Get organised in 30 days, The Grand Finale!

CONGRATULATIONS!

I hope that you have enjoyed this series of challenges over the last month. I know I have. Now that the challenge has officially come to an end, I implore you to keep up with what you have learned. Getting organised is a journey. It will take time and a lot of patience for some of you. Please feel free to come back and re read over the posts. 

Today we are going to go back into our offices and spend 15 minutes tidying your office again. A tidy office is an inviting office.

Thankyou for joining me in this series

I am now going to return to my sewing, just for a little while at least :)

Take care and God Bless

Rivkah

Get organised in 30 days, Day 29

Can you believe we have nearly completed this challenge?? What an achievement. You should all be very proud of what you have done in your homes over the last month. You have decluttered, got financially aware, made better use of your time, cleaned your kitchens and bedrooms. We have learned about planning "Me" time and projects, made time for our families and I have managed to walk you through all of this and not completely fall apart!

I want to thank everyone who has encouraged me to share my knowledge and techniques. Without these people I would not have even considered writing on a regular basis. It has been a major challenge for me to transfer thoughts to paper and then expand them onto this blog. I have had to open up about myself in a way I have not been able to do in the past. This journey for me has also helped me reduce my anxiety and may one day lead to write the book that I have also been challenged to write.

For now, I am going to enjoy working on my quilt project, which I will share with you tomorrow.

Organisation Day

Well for the 2nd to last day of our challenge is a tough one for some. I can proudly state that my decluttering buddy Tash, did this over the weekend and the difference is amazing!

Today we are going to go through our DVD collections and decide what you love and what you really don't need. If your anything like me, you have kids DVD's that the kids are no longer watching or have grown out of. 

Our other task today is going to be to organise one area in your craft room or your kids' craft supplies.

Once you have completed these tasks, remove the donations and place them in your car immediately. Next time you are out, donate them to your favourite charity. 

Have a wonderful and Blessed day!

God Bless

Rivkah

Get Organised in 30 Days, Day 28

Wow! The weekend seems to have flown by and I straight out forgot to write my Post!! However I have been busy helping my Decluttering Buddy, Natasha to regain another room in her home. Nothing like releasing the clutter of toys no longer wanted, costumes that have long since had it and videos that have been replaced by DVDs. Over 2 days and a total of 6 hours, we cleared out 3 boxes of kids clutter, a TV cabinet and created a study station for her 2 kids. A book case got a complete makeover and there are now boxes upon boxes of stuff going to a garage sale this weekend. The wheelie bin is full and there is a great deal of satisfaction being felt for the achievements this weekend. It wasn't all work though, as  we took time out to have a swim, a couple of BBQ sessions and spending time with the kids.

TUESDAY HOUR OF POWER!

Today we are going to a bunch of 10 minute jobs to get the house ship shape before school starts next week.

Ok Set your timer for 10 minutes for each of these 6 jobs

1. Sweep your floors and give a quick Mop.
2. Sweep your Patio/balcony
3. Clean your bathroom (just a quick swish and swipe)
4. Clean mirrors and glass.
5. Tidy your junk drawer
6. damp dust your lounge room.

Getting these few tasks done will help to get your home looking ready for any surprise visitors. Have a great day and enjoy the journey!

God Bless

Rivkah

Get Organised in 30 Days, Day 24

Self Image and Self Care

As a busy mum and carer, I have had very little time to myself over the years. I learned a few years ago how to do a few things once a week to set my week up to be successful. Normally on a Friday night (or Saturday if we have a date night), I do these 3 things:

1. Spend 30 minutes ironing my clothes and pair up outfits for the next week. 
2. Have a soak in the bath, give myself a facial and manicure my eyebrows
3. paint my nails.

By doing these 3 tasks, I find that I am less stressed during the week, as I already have my clothes ready. I can stumble out of bed n the morning and grab an outfit, put it on and start my day looking good. I also have regularly scheduled appointments with my hair dresser. This is my one BIG outlay every 2 months, as I do colour my rapidly greying hair. I have saved hundreds of dollars by doing my own eyebrows and facials. This allows me to have the luxury of getting my hair done.

Today, I challenge you to add to your weekly facial routine and do these 3 tasks. take some time out and think about next week. Make up some outfits, paint your nails, spend a little time on yourself. I guarantee that your mood will improve and you will have a spring in your step.

I also challenge you today to book in a couple of date nights in with your loved ones. With your partner and with your children (should you have any). 

Have a wonderful Friday

God Bless

Rivkah

Get organised in 30 days, Day 23

Home office or Dumping Zone?

For a person who is so well organised, my office is the messiest and most disorganised room in our home. For most people it is either this room or their Bedroom where everything amazingly finds it's way to have a nap and many times never leave! As I have mentioned in the past my office is used for more than one task. So I am on a constant Declutter in my office.

So this brings me to today's task:

20 Piece Pick Up.

Today we are going to remove the items from our offices, so that we can see our desks again and get in to do the work we know we really must. When you have cleaned out the extras, give your desk a wipe down and vacuum the room. There is nothing better than a clean and tidy office to invite you in to do some work. While you are at it, Grab some flowers to brighten up the room too :)

SURPRISE CHALLENGE!!!

Today I challenge you to do one random act of kindness. Be it for a stranger or a neighbour. 

By doing something for someone else selflessly, you will discover a smile creep up on your face that you just can't shake. Give it a go and post your activities on our FB page :)

Have a Blessed Day

God Bless

Rivkah

Get organised in 30 Days, Day 22

Organisation Day

Welcome back to another Organisation Wednesday. There has been much decluttering and shuffling of stuff around the ODAAT home. We are in the process of streamlining a few things and even planning our Kitchen renovation. We have finally settled on a layout and style, but the waiting for quotes is the hardest part at the moment. So what does this have to do with today's post? Well... a couple of things. We have been getting organised for long enough, that we have time now to plan projects and do little organisation tasks at the drop of a hat.

As we are in the Bedroom this week, we are going to look at your clothes and your laundering habits. DO you wash every day? Do you wait until the weekend and get frustrated, because you have to do the washing all weekend, just to have clothes for the next week? I used to wash my clothes only on the weekend. I also used to get mad, because I couldn't get anything done with the kids or my hubby.
My family now has a laundry routine that includes the kids stripping their beds on alternate weeks, and everyone taking their dirty clothes to the laundry and even sorting their washing into our sorting system. I have to give The Organised housewife credit for the sorting system, as it is the best system for our busy family.

Although it is her idea, I purchased mine from Ikea, as it is narrower and fits in my available space. It was also 20% cheaper than the Howards Storage version.

The other thing we are going to do is set a daily/bi daily laundry routine. Figure out how often you need to wash darks, colours, whites, sheets and towels. I know that for my family it is 1 load a day and usually 2 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I normally don't wash on Thursday or Sunday, as I give myself a break. I turn my washing on first thing in the morning and hang it out when I get home from the morning's errands. I also remove the previous day's washing, fold and put away all at the same time. This usually takes no more than 20 minutes to do all of this. I dare you to try!

The other thing we are going to do is plan a project to work on. Spend 10 minutes today writing down a project you want to work on. It could be in the garden, an art project, planning a renovation, even planning time out with your beloved.

Enjoy your home life and keep it simple.

Have Fun with it all and God Bless

Rivkah

Get Organised on 30 Days, Day 21

A quick Slipshod, Scrub and Shine Today!

Good Morning and welcome to another Tuesday!! I hope you are all staying cool in this incredible heat. I know that I have had to be extra vigilant to remember my water. Any ways we are back in our bedrooms today. 

Grab your all purpose cleaner and a cloth today, because you are off to wipe down all your flat surfaces in your bedroom and wardrobe today. Once you have done that you are fully given permission to put something pretty on your bedside tables. 

Have a fantastic day and God Bless

Rivkah

Get organised in 30 Days, Day 20

file image

This week we are working in our bedrooms and wardrobes.

Shiny Shoes or Dust Collectors?

Ok I have to admit that I LOVE shoes! I have always loved shoes. My mum always had a hard time getting me to wear something other than my favourite pair of patent red leather shoes as a small girl. I remember being heart broken, when they no longer fit me and I couldn't get another pair just like them! I recall not letting Mum give them to my sister or throw them out. As I have gotten older, I have found that I have fewer shoes than I wanted, due to  awkwardly small but wide feet. 

So I have had a habit of holding onto shoes that I don't particularly like, because I thought I would never find better. Recently I have been able to re indulge in my love of shoes, finding that some shops are starting to carry my size, due to a much higher asian population around me. WIN!

 Do you feel like you hold onto things out of guilt like I did? Do you still wear those worn out trackies or keep those pants that are a size too small, because "one day" I will fit into them again? 

Today is the day to release that guilt Ladies and Gents!

Time to spring clean your wardrobe!

Today you are to go into your wardrobe and remove all the clothes you haven't worn in 12 months, no longer fit, really have had it, really no longer suit you or you just don't feel comfortable wearing. Same goes with your shoes.

Enjoy your task and have fun with it

God Bless

Rivkah

Get organised in 30 days, Day 16

The Importance of Financial Awareness

Last week we looked into getting our bills and paperwork in order so that we can deal with one of the biggest and most overwhelming areas for Australians today... Budgeting

Many of us live on credit cards, store cards and have debt to the eyeballs. My husband and I were no different, just a few short years ago. We were renting, had 2 credit cards a personal loan, contracts that were costing us money, a housing authority Bond debt and were relying on hand me downs for our kids. When we moved into our last rental, we made a decision that would radically change our lives forever. We got Organised. Yes I started decluttering our personal belongings and paperwork, but we made tough decisions to get rid of debt and become financially responsible. We started with our smallest debt in size, but biggest in interest. I have since learned that the method I used is called "snowballing". As we paid off each debt, the money that was left over went onto the next debt on our list of financial clutter. Within 18 months we had got rid of 2 credit cards, reduced our telecommunications bill by $80 per month, paid 80 % of our Bond Debt and found out that were were able to purchase our first home by refinancing our personal loan. Even when we refinanced, we continued to pay it off at the same amount that we had been in the past. Within 36 months we had got organised, changed jobs, become financially aware and bought our own home. How did we do it? We learned to Budget. We were tough on ourselves in the first 6 months and we really shopped around for the best deals on everything before we did anything.

Today, we are over $4000 ahead in our Mortgage (in just over 2 years) and we are also ahead on our personal loan. We are driving 10 year cars that really need replacing, but we know that as long as they are still working we can manage. It is so important to change our mindsets from I got to have the latest and greatest NOW, to I can make do with what I have and work toward the thing that I want.

Having an organised office is so important in this process. You need to be able to put your hands on paperwork and bills, whenever they are needed. For me, paperwork is still my one area that I struggle with. I really need 2 rooms for what I do in my office at present (I sew, blog and run the family accounts), but I will work with what I have until we can make changes.

Time to count the cost

Today is office day, so I challenge you to get your office in order today. Have an area where you can keep all your office supplies handy: stapler, pens pencils, paper, envelopes, files etc. Have large envelopes to contain your tax returns and receipts, so that you can keep them stored for 5 years safely incase you get audited. It is also handy to have them when applying for finance.

When you have your office together and you know where to find everything, it is important to decide  how you are going to manage you budget. I have found a couple of free ways and a couple that will cost a small amount. Please keep in mind that I am doing this as a service and that I am not a paid financial advisor. I am also not being paid by any company for the links.

You can go old fashion pen to paper or computerised. I have tried both, and as I am a visual person I find the computer style works best for me.

Ok Freebies

Paper  monthly budget by Organizher 

Microsoft Money Sunset. I love this program. I have used Money for many years and was unhappy to see them remove it from the range. They came to the party with this last version as a freebie.

Paid Versions

Quickbooks Personal. At $99.00 it seems a little steep, but the program is stable and easy to use.

In the Apple Mac app store there is Home Budget. it is the closest I have found to Money, since changing over to a Mac.

The Organised Housewife also has an Excel based Budget. I suggest that if you use a Mac, not to get this program, as it is difficult to use in Mac based Excel programs.

At the end of the day, check them all out, they all have their own merits. I have used them all. 

Remember when budgeting to put some into savings. Even if it is just $5.00 per pay period. It will get you into a regular routine. I also recommend when budgeting, that you get out all the bills for the last 12 months and add them all up and divide by the number of pay periods in a year. Then add 10% to the figure. This will help you ensure that you can pay bills on time and even help cover the unexpected Shocker. Spreading the payments out over pay periods makes for less bill stress and a greater sense of knowing what you can play with.

Remember also to give yourself a little to have fun with. My Hubby and I get $20 each a week. Just enough to treat ourselves to lunch or that piece of fabric I have been eying off LOL.

Ok enough rambling! Go into your office and conquer your financial clutter!! 

Have fun and God Bless

Rivkah