OK, so I do really like chocolate. But, honestly I do love my to do list (or “lists,” rather). Organizing my life around my to do list has helped me stay afloat as a working mom. Not only does it keep things running like clock work, I also get a sense of achievement from completing my to do list and a sense of control (which are important for anyone Type A!).
It’s August 1st and that means I go through my Monthly to do list today. Every 1st of the month I have a list of things that I do on a routine basis that helps keep my home running smoothly. Well, “smoothly” may be an overstatement; it’s more like it reduces the amount of catastrophes we have every month.
My To DO list actually is not written, but rather just a bunch of things that I have in my head to complete on the 1st of every month. It’s an easy date to remember and, so, I just got in this habit.
I thought it would be helpful to share these ideas to all the working moms out there who are struggling to keep up with the never ending To Do list. I’ve developed a list of 15 tips that is organized into a timeframe for completed.
Here is my monthly to do list:
1. Purchase paper and cleaning goods for the bathrooms and kitchens and stock up every bathroom so we don’t run out of anything during the month; these include:
- toilet paper
- paper towels
- sandwich bags
- hand soaps, body washes, shampoo
- laundry detergent
- toothpastes and dental floss
2. Wash seldom used items, such as hand towels in the bathroom that we do not use
3. Wash toys, such as teddy bears
4. Clean out the pantry; all the opened, half filled chip bags get thrown out
5. Schedule a date night with my husband
6. Get car washed (even if it will rain the next week; I need things like this on autopilot or they will never happen)
Note: I do not technically do ALL of the items on the To Do on the 1st. But once I get to the 1st, I start planning to do these items. For example, since the 1st is on a Wednesday this month, I will wait until this Saturday for a car wash since it’s easier for me to do that then.
Also, here is what I do every Sunday:
7. Charge all devices that need charging (i.e., remote control, toothbrush, face wash brush, robot vacuum etc
8. Cook for the week and freeze (see here)
9. Get gas, (even if my tank is 3/4 full(
10. Put anything we need during the week in the car (i.e., baseball is on Tuesdays, so Sunday night the baseball gear goes in the car so it’s ready for Tuesday)
Once a quarter, my to do list includes:
11. Buy staples for the kids, such as:
- underwear
- socks
- vitamins
- toothbrushes
12. Hold off on cooking for the week, only eating from our freezer stash (this ensures we actually eat what we’ve have stored)
13. Wash duvet covers
Once a year (during the holiday break), my to do list includes:
14. Take shoes to a cobbler to be re-soled and/or re-heeled
15. Take clothes in to be tailored (I collect clothes that need adjusting or hemming and bring in 1x a year, unless it is for a special occasion)
There isn’t a science to this list. I’m not sure why I buy a tube of toothpaste every month instead of 3 tubes every quarter. It just works for me, so I don’t question. And it’s constantly evolving; every month, I feel like I realize mid-month that there is something I should add to the 1st of the next month.
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I’d love to hear your tips and tricks too! Leave comments below!
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