Lists

I have recently discovered the joys of lists. From time to time I have written out shopping lists - and usually then left them at home!! However, lately in my drive to live a more organised life and to try and save some money I have recently embraced them a bit more.

I now keep a list on the fridge for the supermarket so that I can write things down as I use them. It has been really useful in cutting down the trips to the supermarket and not cluttering up the pantry with stuff that I couldn't remember if I needed.

But a big step for me is a to do list and menu plan. I have previously resisted both of these as not my kind of thing. I am a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl right? Not the type who needs lists everywhere. Well, that may have been the case but now that I am a parent a little more organisation is called for.

Last month I came across this weekly planner at Kikki-k and thought it would really suit my needs

It allows me to outline my week ahead and I also use it to plan what we are having for dinner each night.

I get my fruit and vegetables delivered each week in a box. I choose to get the box where they select the produce and I just take pot luck. I can access the list of what is in the box from a Friday although I don't get my delivery till Wednesday. I use what I am going to receive in the box to assist in my menu planning.

There is also a section on the right hand side listed "to do" which I have been writing all the things I want to achieve during the week (in addition to our activities/appointments). This is very useful to keep me on task and to also have the satisfaction of crossing them off as they are achieved.

I have been using this for about 4 weeks now and it takes me only about 10-15 minutes to fill out for the week. The benefit I feel has been huge and enabled me to feel a little more in control and ready to face the week.

I have also written out a schedule for housework. I find that having a set day for cleaning different areas has made a huge difference.

For someone that has always resisted these types of lists I will confess that my life has become a lot easier since I've started using them. How about you? Are you a list person?