The need for a smooth running home keeps the sanity in our lives. The more I try to keep myself on track with these few basics and my home feels much calmer.
1) Maintain a budget and Set bill pay day I can't emphasis enough on maintaining a budget. Keep a watch on what's coming in and how much is going out. Track your expenses for few months and this will give you a clear idea of where you stand financially. Then set your financial goals and targets.
Work on achieving your goals by analyzing your past expenses and future goals on a budget sheet. Cut down on wasteful expense and record all financial activity. I know it can be frustrating at first, but hang in there and trust me you will soon be proud of yourself.
Pay your bills on time. Schedule a day once a week to check any pending bills and go ahead and pay them. Better still do it electronically, it saves time and postage. Auto pay if you please.
2) Home maintenance and schedules and repairs
Keep a regular home maintenance schedule. Regularly get your major appliances serviced like washer dryer, fridge, AC, water heater, pool equipment, etc.
Make sure to address a problem at the earliest, especially plumbing, gas, roofing, structure and foundation kind of issues. They are not only safety hazard but save big money when addressed at the earliest.
3) Creating a Command Centre.
When it comes to a well coordinated and communicated household, the Command Center is the thing for you. Doesn't have to be something really fancy, could be anything like a wall or inside of a cabinet door, outside wall of a cabinet, outside of the fridge wall. Basically just a centralized place where the whole family can look up for the families schedules and maintain a well structured household.
4) Menu Planning
Best way to avoid unhealthy fast food and also save money. Plan menus for at least 2 to 3 weeks at a time. This make grocery shopping much productive and helps every picky eater in the house to know what to expect. You can rotate the same things once every 3 weeks so no one is bored of 1 thing too soon.
5) Make bed every morning
The bed is usually the focal point of the bedroom. So this is the first thing that sets the tone for the day. Start by making your bed every morning right as you wake up. Do not slack on this one.
6) A load of laundry a day
To keep the dreaded laundry in control, this has turned out to be by far the best routine. Some people believe in laundry day, but for me I think differently. I do not want to be stuck with a week's laundry if for some reason the 'laundry day' ends up been taken away by an emergency or by an urgent change of planned day. I have tried that but realized very soon that it was not the best thing for me.
7) Shine sink every night
Thanks to FLyLady, I have been sticking to this ritual. This help make sure the dishes are done every night and ready for the next day. It gives the fresh start for the day. Nothing brightens up the day than starting off with a clean shiny sink.
8) Creating a cleaning schedule for the week.
Maintain a cleaning schedule. keep it where you can look at it regularly so as to stay on track with it. Involve the whole family in it by designating chores by keeping a chore chart for all.
9) Purge, purge, purge, try following OIOO (One In One Out) rule.
Major mantra for smooth running of a household. Don't love, like or need then let it go. Clutter brings chaos and soon the finding of stuff, having to clean more things, organizing all of it adds to wasting energy and taking more from your family time.
10) 'ME TIME'
Take the "ME TIME" - you've earned it. Treat it like one of the perks of a successful Home Resource Manager- HR Manager.
Enjoy your family and make sure everybody is a part of making life simple and smooth running.
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