Balance… Where Are You?
Do you every have those days? You know, those days! You wake up in the morning and your hair seems a little more out of whack than usual. Your kiddos are screaming about the cereal they want for breakfast… the cereal that’s gone. You see, the box is still sitting in the pantry, but it’s empty. I don’t know why, but those empty boxes in the pantry annoy me… BIG time! (I still love ya, honey!)
The morning continues to unfold in a way that’s not so inviting… making you want to head back to bed. Yes, that has been my morning! Sounds like fun, huh?!
Lots of you email asking me how I do it all. Well, the thing is, I don’t! My life is NOT always balanced perfectly (or is it ever?), but I’m trying my best everyday and that’s all I can do. I know that when I’m more organized in every aspect of life, I feel a lot better. I’m guessing lots of you feel the same way, so that brings me to this new upcoming monthly challenge I will be starting May 1st. This challenge will help us all to streamline our lives…. from meal planning to organizing your coupons to cleaning to taking time for yourself and much more. There will be lots of giveaways, weekly challenges, guest posts, so stay tuned for lots of fun …and maybe a little work ;)!
Alright, so before we begin this upcoming challenge, what would you like to see?! Do you struggle finding time in your life to do everything? Is there something you’d like to incorporate into your daily routine? Please let us know in the comment section. I may even include some of your ideas in the upcoming monthly challenge!
Lots of piles and no time. I have 2 kids 1 kitten and 1 husband. I work 40 hours at my job than who knows how many at home!
I have Friday’s off and on Sunday I wonder where my weekend went. i would love to see meal planning. That’s so hard for me and If i would do meal planning or even make a head meals I know it would help.
Thank you for all you do!!!
reading all these comments made me cry! (could be new baby hormones)sooooo glad im not the only one feeling like im not on top of things- i want a cleaner house, great meals, and time to play w/my kids. i love this site and would love even more info on coupon filing- i love the trading card organizer tip. what do you file the coupons under? how about a monday video on this? it would help me so much- love the idea about kids helping for allowance. how about how to most efficeintly coupon during the week- do you know what i mean?
There is one, it was Week 2… if you click on the youtube link —-> and look under all of the uploaded videos, it’s there 🙂 It helped me get mine together!!
I’d like some ideas on how to organize the piles of “stuff” that accumulate on my kitchen counters: school work, library books, magazines, coupons to be filed in binder, mail, etc. It seems like I’m constantly moving the piles from one room to the other. I need a system!! I’m also interested in some meal planning ideas – do you plan a menu for a week or two before you go grocery shopping?
I have the same issue adn I HATE it when i have things on my counters in the kitchen so what i do is. get a box/laundry basket something and take the “piles” from one room and as u r watching TV go through the stuff and have a few plastic/reusable bags handy and start throwing away trasha dn seperate each bag for a specific room like bathroom or kids room and i do this while my kids r asleep so after my shows r over I take the items to there correct locals. Since the kids r asleep i am able to put things away in there room with no “help” from them.
I hope this helps.
I had to laugh at myself yesterday as I put away bags of stuff from recent Walgreens trips.
I have more toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and deodorant then I can possibly even use this year and yet I am in desperate need of some new socks – every day I get dressed for work and it’s an effort to find a pair – I have laundry that i’ve been meaning to iron for weeks now and well what i would give for a cleaning service to come and put my house into some order – if only i could pay them with register rewards hee hee……….
Thank you! I couldn’t agree more! I spend so much time hunting deals (which has helped my household significantly) but I find myself always looking for my clothes! Who has time to do all the laundry? And no matte rhow many clean clothes we have, my husband always “needs” a shirt that is dirty!!!! Oh well hubs.
So obviously we all work, whether it is in our home as stay at home parents or outside of the home. I work FT outside of my home and I find it challenging to get home at 5:30 or later and want to start cooking dinner in time to eat at a reasonable hour. My husband does not get home until 7:30 or later so I start all by myself. I only have one child, a 5 year old, but still I feel like I just dont have enough time. I have some health issues that make it a bit harder for me to do things, since I am totally exhausted by lunch everday, but would love some tips from moms working outside the home on how they manage and organize!
Thanks!
I feel you Collin, I am finishing up Nursing School in May while working full time, doing Clinicals, and trying to have time for my boys. Cooking, cleaning, couponing I am hoping for more time for organization as I finish school and maybe have some extra time. Thanks for all you do, while trying to maintain a family and a home. You are so greatly appreciated by so many.
I keep a small space in my spare bedroom for nonessentials – and divide into groups, then make sure there is a specific date when I need to have ready and cleared out of there. That way as I am cleaning during the week and I find an item we dont need anymore, I immediately go place it in the right section. For instance, these are the sections I have right now:
Items for the Vetrans of America donation pick-up I have scheduled (go to https://www.scheduleapickup.com/ to see if they pick up from your area! They will come right to your porch and get everything)
Items for the consignment appt I have scheduled (mostly my daughters outgrown clothes/toys)
Misc items for family members (coupons, outgrown toys for my sisters little one, other items I think a family member may be able to use) – I give them a bag of items when I see them
Items priced for an upcoming garage sale scheduled for May
This method works great for me!!!
ooops I forgot – I also have an ebay/half.com section where I keep things I list to sell online! 🙂
Tracy, how does that work out? Do you end of selling the stuff you list? I have thought about this, but wasn’t sure.
do you end “up” selling…..sorry for the mis-spell.
I am have been stay at home mom now for the past 6 years since I was pregnant with my 3rd daughter, since then we have had two more children. I always dreamed of staying home to raise my children, with my first two daughter who are 18 and 14, I worked 50 plus hours a week. I am still adjusting to our new family size and not working out of the home, I don’t have me time, my husband gets me time, because he works. I get so upset that things we used to clean or do together I am just doing it all now. I don’t feel like I have quality time with the kids because there is always something that needs to get done. I feel rushed all the time, I feel like I rush threw one thing to just start the next task. I think I get myself even more frustrated because of my own expectations I place on myself. I expect myself to be able to do it all, but the truth is I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to pick up after everyone, I am not a slave. Yet still I place that expectation that I should be doing it all because I am home and this is my job. It is just that this job is never ending, and overwhelming at times, with no break. I think I need some sort of routine where I do x on this day and y on that day from x time to y time. I think with more structure in my day, maybe I would get more done. I know others must feel this way, I am open to suggestions.
I feel the same way you do! Where do you live? Wish we could get together. I totally need to get out of the house and have adult conversation.
I feel that way too, about adult conversation. I wait for the older kids to come home from school or my husband to come home from work and they all take off doing something. We moved to southwestern Ny 4 years ago, we didn’t know anyone. We moved because we sold our house in a higher market and bought low and it enabled me to stay home longer with the kids, but the down side is I am 400 miles away from family and friends and I haven’t really gotten out to meet many people. So while the kids watch their programs I look for coupons and deals : )
I used to work full time but currently am a stay at home mom and student. I feel WAY more stressed now. I think the reason is that when we are at home we think “ah, I can do that tomorrow (or whenever).” There’s this feeling that you have all this time to do everything, so you slack and get behind and beat yourself up. It’s funny reading through these comments that we all feel this way, no matter our work/home situations!
Wow! Your post could have been written by me! Except I have only one child. I worked up until the day I delivered. The plan had been for me to stay home after he was born, since most of my salary would go to daycare. That didn’t initially work out because we lived in an expensive area. So I went back part time. One day a week in the office, the rest at home–it was somewhat flexible, about 30 hours total–while taking care of my son. My husband worked from home the day that I was in the office. The best of all worlds, right? Not so much. We were stressed and griping at each other. I thought we’d end up divorced. Our goal was to move somewhere cheaper where we could live on one salary. We’ve done that, but I feel guilty about not working outside the home and not grinding myself into the ground like before. Plus, I don’t handle domestic well–I feel like a maid but I don’t want to put my son in day care (though he’d probably love it!). So I started freelancing here and there, and it helps to have a paid work schedule, but it’s tough to fit everything in and feel like there’s enough couple time and family time. I used to make elaborate meals that took hours to prepare. Now I just don’t feel like it, and I feel bad about that because my son’s eating more processed, free, or fast-and-easy foods. But the tradeoff is losing all that time. But do I really make the most of that time with him anyway? Probably not. Mommy guilt is tough. No matter what you do, you just can’t seem to win. I’m jealous of the women who seem content to stay at home and run off to playdates and have coffee with the moms without guilt.
Incidentally, Ida, last week two people told me that I needed a break. I disagreed because I don’t see any tangible results of my “work”–my paychecks are small and the house is a mess about ten minutes after cleaning it. But maybe they’re right–and maybe you need a break, too. Good luck.
I hear ya! To prevent “Yours & Mine” kind of arguements, I’ve tried to embrace it. My husband works full-time, I work part-time and am at home with the kids. I cook a full dinner on the days I don’t work. I make pizza or fishsticks, etc on the 2 nights I work. He knows if he doesn’t like it he better get home asap and make something then 🙂 He gets his man-time to go fishing or do whatever at least one night a week, usually Wed. I tuck the kids in bed and coupon away… check the blogs, read the ads, make my lists, clip the coupons…get it all organized. The next night is my ME time. We have dinner, and then I leave. I shop, and shop, and shop… alone 🙂 I take my time. I get good deals. It is GREAT to get out of the house. I can usually manage to keep up the light housework during the week –tackling it one room a day, or 15min a day. He does the laundry on Saturday while I sleep (I work Fri nights) and I try to vacuum when I get up. As long as we “share” free time/ME time and duties, it seems to go smoother for us. I still need to figure out how to get him to quit cluttering up my kitchen counters though 🙂
Totally understand the need for balance! Last week I had a “fast from facebook” because I felt it had become obsessive for me. It was a great week and I felt everyday that I accomplished the things I wanted to. So maybe you could come up with a challenge of how to get rid of things in our lives that are obsessive and not really necessary. Now I do recognize that I check your blog obsessively, but that’s okay because it’s all the the hopes of saving money!! 🙂 Hope the rest of your day gets better.
I freezer cook w/ friends about once every six weeks. It has been a HUGE blessing for family and friends. I love that I can have people over at moments notice for dinner w/ little effort. And I’m able to share the meals w/ those who’ve just had babies or who’ve had surgery or are sick. It is a win, win because when I cook, I get to spend great time with girlfriends. We have a lot of fun! When I use the meals, it’s great for my family because I’m not in the kitchen prepping dinner and cleaning a lot of pots and pans afterwards, and have more time to spend with my family. Another benefit is that it saves a lot of money. We plan our freezer menu around what’s on sale the week we cook and also buy in bulk. Freezer cooking and couponing have made a huge difference in my life. I save time and money by not having to run to the store for things everytime I turn around. p.s. I was a freezer cooking skeptic…. I’m more than sold on it now!!!
Curlyfries, I would LOVE to know more about this! It sounds like something I could totally benefit from, esp. b/c I still have small children and a husband who works nightshift two weeks out of the month. Collin may cover this in her blog but just in case can you email me perhaps w/some examples or even what you and your girlfriends do? I have been wanting and looking for a way to connect w/some lady friends of mine & this seems a perfect venue. eml: vickilmiller.miller5@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
Love this!! We need you to give us some ideas!! I would be willing to try and get some friends together to do this. Could you give some examples or do you have a website that you get some ideas from?
EXERCISE????????? Does anyone fit exercise into their life! Because my husband travels some and I have an almost 3 year old and a baby at home who is almost 7 months! I try to get up early to do it but that means 5:00 am wake up call..kids are to bed by 8:00 and then it is time to do a load of laundry and whatever else comes into the day!! I know you just need to make time but it is sooooo hard for me! I just can’t do it! I am glad summer is finally here so I can go for walks with the kids. I am up north for winters so getting out in the winter is not an option:)
I second this!!!! It’s hard to make time for exercise when there are always other things that need to get done…
I have been struggling to fit in exercise also. By the time I put the kids to bed, I am too exhausted to brush my teeth much less exercise. I tried getting up early to exercise at 6am before the rest of the family wakes up…but then one of my sons would wake up or something would happen. Plus, I just can’t get out of bed and start exercising. Help!
i know!! excersize is the hardest thing to find time! i have P90X and that is just to long for me. I tried getting up in the am really early, but sadly that wore off… I have started jumpin on the trampoline when my kiddos are outside playing and it is soo much fun- i feel like a kid and i can already tell a huge difference in my legs. I wish i could find the dedication to get up early but man it is hard!!!
And another thing I have the hardest time working out in the winter! its like i have an internal monitor that knows it’s winter and only wants me to eat warm things and lay on the couch. But when summer comes around all i want is fresh veggies and to play outside and be active! WTH? How can I keep the summer routine going in the winter???
I just started exercising in January (I’m in a Biggest Loser group at work), and the only time I can fit it in is if I get up half an hour early in the morning 3x a week. So Mon, Wed, and Fri, I am up at 5 a.m. to exercise with the wii. I can’t fit in a workout anytime the kids are awake (I have almost 7-year old twins and a 16-month old), and I’m too tired after they are in bed. Of course, there are days I really don’t want to get up (today my youngest was up 4:30-5:00 am and then I stayed up to exercise and get us all ready for work/school), but it’s the only way I can do it. And I’ve lost 20 pounds since January! 🙂
Wow, that is awesome!! I told my hubby I want a Wii Fit for Mother’s Day…
Exercising just has to be a priority or you will not find time for it. You have to plan in advance when you are going to the gym just like you were going to a dr. appt. And yes I recommend going to a gym that has child care over trying to workout at home. And no it is not as expensive as you think I pay 31 dollars a month for 24/7 access to a huge awsome gym and that includes 2 hrs a day of child care for my three babies. It has been the best thing in my life. Some days I just work hard for an hour and then shower and do my hair and makeup without being inturrupted a million times (yes it really can happen) find time to take care of yourself and you will be a better wife and mother because of it. It is all about schudeuling just because you are a sahm does not mean that you don’t have to run on a schudule just like you worked out side of the home. make a plan and stick to it as much as you can with the little ones running around your feet. (yes I realize that I cannot spell)
I would love to have a wii fit, but I can’t afford it. I bought Your Shape with Jenny McCarthy when it was on sale on amazon with a coupon, and I’ve been using it. It really works!
I need help with this too. I have a one year old and I have been trying to start working out since I had her. I work full time and by the time i get home it is 5:30/6:00pm. My husband goes to the gym and I have to get dinner and do any shopping that needs to get done. I tried last week to take my daughter with me to walk around the lake but on rainy days I don’t know what to do.
I also need more me time. Since my daughter was born, I have been spending less and less time with friends because they don’t have kids and I guess thats usualy what I talk about. I wish there was some kind of mommy groups where I could meet other mommys.
People have mentioned the wii and other stuff. Along with being a Hip2Save junkie, I also watch HSN…is anyone familiar with the Urban Rebounder? It sounds ideal for those that have trouble getting out of the house, etc. It is that small trampoline style thing and you can do it while watching TV or whatever. Can do all kinds of exercise, not just jumping up and down. It folds to fit under the bed. They were showing it this weekend and it appears to be a good form of exercise (wish I could afford it). They had it on sale this weekend for $99 and often have it on flex-pay where you can divide the payments up. It’s one more idea for those that are short of time….do it while watching TV at night. It’s good cardio.
I jokingly call going to the gym my “job.” Our gym happens to be within walking distance (though I don’t, lol!) and it offers 2.25 hours of childcare per day. We run errands in the morning, and hit the gym around midday every weekday. My son loves it, so I go even though I hate working out. I recently started going for two-hour stretches–one hour to work out, one hour to work on freelance projects. When I was working and before we belonged to a gym with childcare, I went to Curves *immediately* after work (around fourish for me). If I went home first, there were just too many other things to do and I wouldn’t end up going.
getting rid of clutter and how to clear the piles of to do piles of paper around the house. I need to get organized big time.
Sounds like my house. Sometimes I look around and say, “What IS all this crap?!” LOL
Wow – I am having one of those days! Feeling overwhelmed with lots to do and not exactly knowing where to start, so . . . I am so excited for May 1st and up for the challenge!! I have found that having a menu for the month is one of the biggest money savers and time savers for me! I have taught several classes on this – if anyone is interested. I have several ideas of how to go about menu planning.
I would love any organization tips – as my children have turned into teens I find I am not as organized as I used to be – at ALL!! so, where do I start – Help!! (I feel like I am 1/2 organized 1/2 of the time – hahahaha!)
Would love to know how to menu plan and get some tips!!
I need some more ideas on how to make $ at home, a lot of people are struggling in this economy and it would be great to have some alternatives. I love that you have guest posts on this but it would be great to see a feature on one thing per month/week/whatever. Maybe an ebay seller one month, a Mary Kay the next, Pampered Chef, Etsy, etc. could do a big write-up and then we could ask questions & have a few posts throughout the month dedicated to answering the most asked questions…. or something like that 🙂
I’m going to be honest, and will prob. get jumped on but…. Mary Kay, Pampered Chef etc. are just bologna. They are fun parties to get together and have with the gals, but if you are looking to make money- dont look here.
They claim that they are direct selling co. and all that but in reality they are MLM’s. The only way to get rich is to recruit recruit recruit! The only way to make $ in these companies is by stepping on everyone else to get there. And as for MK the SD’s and on up really don’t make any $$. Just ask to see thier tax returns with their personal info blacked out. They are not making out like they tell you.. PinkTruth.com will give you the facts on MK…
I am all for selling crafts and things that you make yourself though. There are lots of craft shows and things like etsy that you could look into…
I have often wondered if etsy is a huge money maker.
It truly depends with etsy. There are tons of sellers and tons of the same types of merchandise. I think some people really do well. I tried it with making jewelry and there were just too many people trying to do the same thing. It’s always worth a try and you don’t lose much if you don’t sell much, but unless you can find ways of being noticed, you and your stuff get lost in the crowd.
I can’t say if etsy’s a huge moneymaker, but I follow a few different etsy shop owners, and there’s one who does an amazing amount of business. Her prices (these are generally soap and/or candle makers) are in line with others but she really REALLY promotes her items on twitter and facebook, and every fb includes a photo of her goods (which are gorgeous) and description and link to her etsy store. I think people see the bars of soap or candles, read the quick descriptions of the scents, and can’t help but order. So using all the different so-called social media forums to push people into your etsy (or ebay) store is a major key to success. Just my 2-cents. If there had been fb and twitter back when I had my own estore selling teapots, I think I probably would’ve had a good bit more business than I did just with SEO links and google adsense ads.
Thanks 🙂 It’s hard to know what’s true & what isn’t.
I sell on Etsy, I just finally got my shop open about a month ago and I have made about 60$ profit. it is hard work to get started in the venue because there are LOTS of dealers. I have a blog that i think has helped drive traffic and i have spent alot of spare time researching how to make the most out of my shop. I only have 6 things for sale right now (you know that full time job and hour each way commute to/from work gets in the way of my fun crafting time). I think once you get the word out and become more prevelent on Etsy it can be a real MM, but for now its just something I do to start saving up for christmas money, i dont do it to pay bills or anything like that. You can check out my shop and if you have any questions you can contact me there!
ThePaisleyLn.etsy.com
That is wonderful that you have gotten a good start!
wonder about Southern Living. friends say they make $500 + per month…
i have started my candle shop on etsy, but seem to make more money just selling them word of mouth locally. (www.shop4mybabies.etsy) My candles are nice and cheaper than many on there, but there are soooo many different sellers, it’s difficult. I used to make A LOT of money selling my childrens gently used gymboree on ebay but ebay fees have gotten out of control and i can’t make money anymore. I have ordered mary kay a few times from a lady who solely supports herself and purchased a house on that income, but she puts about 60 hrs per week into it
Since it looks people from all over the country are addicted to Hip 2 Save, would anyone be interested in organizing some walking/coupon exhanging groups? Possibly meeting once a week and walk around a lake and talk about the great deals people find, organization tips etc. I know we all have friends but why not meet some new people who are into couponing just as much as you are in your area and get in a little excersise at the same time?
This would be awesome!
That would be great!!!
All I can say is Flylady.com it is free and will get you started I Love Her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG, i have been on flylady all afternoon ( the boy is napping 😉 )… wow this is crazy awesome!!!! I can tell this is gonna make a huge difference in how I manage my time… I have been needing something like this for sooooo long !!!
Anyone want to buddy up with me over there?
I envision a google-esque map where those who want, can enter a pinpoint for their location (city) and a few other details like kids/no kids, age bracket, etc. This would be really cool if Collin got her nifty web designers to come up with something like this. I also think a separate chat forum where people could start threads and set up meetup groups by location would work too.
I was just going to write that too and then saw your reply. Excellant idea!
…..except, we’ll just be spending more time on here, LOL!!
I like Megan’s idea.
I like Megan’s idea, too!
This is so great that your going to be doing this Monthly Challenge ! And the best part it’s starts on my Birthday May 1st !!! 🙂
Time, time, time! I find when I have a few extra minutes I’m too exhausted to DO ANYTHING and then I feel guilty as I look at my “trashed” house while taking minutes for me (until I hear Mommmmm in that not-so-sing songy voice we all love). I’d love to see schedules that work and ways to organize time AND things from multiple viewpoints because everyone is so different. I don’t want to feel like I’m failing if I can’t implement just ONE system because it doesn’t work for my family. Wow! I need help 🙂
Amen!
Flylady.com I do not work for this group or anything like that. It is just what saved me as a young first time mom…(Haha I am 27 now)
Whoo-hoo!!! I just won 11 swagbucks for searching flylady!!!
ME, thanks so much for telling us about flylady.com (twice, lol) Not only did I win those swagbucks, LOL, but I just read all the press releases from the last few years and this site looks really promising to those of us overwhelmed with “CHAOS.” I’m definitely going to begin reading on her site.
I would like to make a plan for how often to clean certain things like the bathroom, the windows, the stove, etc. Instead of just waiting until it’s nasty, and then finding time to do it. What a great idea this is! And I’m excited to follow this!
I would like to know how you manage to post all the time, even with little kids. My kids think that when I’m on the computer is the best time to fight and get in trouble. 🙂 I’d love to know how you pull this off.
Collin mentioned the other day that some of the posts are scheduled, so I don’t think she’s sitting there all the time. I wondered too how she did it on days that she mentioned that she was out of the home.
I have been using e-mealz. I heard it on Dave Ramsey. It plans out your meals for the week and customizes your shopping list by the store you shop at. It has saved me so much time and money!! It is 5 dollars per month, but so far it has been worth every penny. My grocery bills have been cut by atleast fifty dollars a week without coupons!! The web site is mealtimemakeover.com.
Thanks, looks interesting. This post has been so great with all the neat ideas given by so many already. 🙂
I work full time and have two kids, and a husband who I don’t spend enough time with. I am also very involved in a new church plant. Of course there is the couponing but I need time to exercise and lose a few pounds…so any ideas on how to incorporate this would be great.
What is me time can someone please tell ME I lost that 8 years ago when I had my daughter lol as im doing my spring cleaning im starting to take my home back from the mess and clutter I need help with my coupons there are sooo many of them and yes I do use them every week I go threw them and toss out the old but I cant seem find something that works for me I have so many binders and boxes its a mess HELP SOS I love this website I tell everyone about it this site has helped my family save so much money Thank-you Collin for everything that you do for my family.
I need to plan me time. Even if it is 5 or 10 minutes. Just like everyone else, my life can get crazy… work, a 2 year old that just started a super cling phase, a 87 year old grandma that depends upon me for shopping and some of her meals, a house (with a flooded basement that we are in the process of re-finishing). The list can go on and on. I found myelf taking a random shower in the middle of the day last week just so I could have a silent room for 5 minutes. (Simply going to the bathroom doesn’t work anymore because my daughter wants to come in and flush the toilet over and over and empty the toilet paper roll out. Everyone with kids has been there.) I would love to start jogging but I just can’t seem to find the time. I need some me time and if you can tell me where to get it I would be forever in your debt. 🙂
Actually after reading the comments, a thought came in to my mind. I wish we knew where each one of us lived. That way if we have kids, we can plan play dates for kids and as kids are playing, we could clip coupons and just talk. Most of us are in the same boat. We should try to plan some get-togethers for fellow couponers where we can meet and teach each other so many things…..just my 2 cents….some kind of sub forum on hip2save to destress ourselves….
Another thing you could do….I saw this on a news type program….if a bunch of you lived near each other, once you got to know each other better, you could take turns babysitting, so you could take turns having “me” time/each one having a day off for yourself. It’s a great idea and then costs nothing for babysitting.
Hey everyone! I’m a mom of 4 kids under three (3 in diapers, 2 breastfeeding), a couponer, a blogger, a designer and the wife of a man in ministry. My life is CRAZY and I’m shocked at the end of each day that we made it through all in one piece!
I’m blogging about deals we find (mostly Publix and CVS), budget/savings, family, housekeeping, moms of multiples stuff and more if you would like to visit my new site! I have a lot of advice about how I keep my coupons/stockpile organized (with pictures)-and also reviews on all kinds of new products you might want to check out!
Leave me a comment if you find my site through Hip2Save, I could only dream of being as amazing a blogger as Collin, and I would give an arm and a leg to be as adorable as she is!
I started the blog to help families and moms like you! It’s crazy that Collin put up this post, because she already has 118 comments (probably more by the time I’m done with this) all asking for help balancing all of the many tasks we are required of each day! I only have 17 followers lol, so hopefully you all will come over and see me too! And, leave comments! I’m lonely over there!
flylady.com okay okay I will stop posting this. I just think that if any of you are clueless about keeping a house clean on a timetable this is the site for you and it is free
oops flylday.net just google flylady. You will love her site!!!!!!!
I did, I did!!! and I got 11 swagbucks!!! ME is right, I read all the press releases and it is a legitimate site and free and looks VERY helpful and interesting. The flylady is well known and has had a lot of press since 2001, newspaper, TV, etc. It always makes me wonder how we miss these things, course, I didn’t find HIP2SAVE until last fall.
Keep posting, ME, because it was your persistence that made me curious enough to go search AND I got 11 swagbucks!!!!
I use flylady also! I actually just blogged about it recently! It really does help me stay on top of things. The only downside is that its not really designed for someone with four young children who coupons (get dressed with hair and make up to shoes everyday, please). But, it does put the habits in place, I just have to try to keep up with them! So far so good on most of the house. This weeks zone is master bedroom, and it’s my worst enemy! I hope I can get it in order this week!
Here is a link to my flylady post 🙂
https://frugallittlething.blogspot.com/2010/04/straighten-up-and-fly-right.html
For anyone wondering what the Emails are like! I find them very helpful!
I need a better system for my coupons. I had several types of tubs & now I have gone to the binder system, but just can’t get that one. I literally have several pile of coupons that need attention, but I just don’t know how to tackle more coupons!!! How to keep those all organized & eliminate my PILES of coupons would be great.
I would like to see an improvement on the flow of things in my household- it seems as if the cleaning/picking up doesn’t get done, then everything else gets thrown out of whack. I am not saying to stay on a strict schedule,but to have things that you do on a daily basis that help keep your life in order.
I would love to create some kind of menu each week(s), so that we know what to cook and aren’t stuck wondering at 5:00pm “what’s for dinner??” This might include having 2-3 go-to freezer meals for THOSE crazy days we all have.
I need to come up with a way to keep up with my never-ending coupon inserts. I have a binder- and I do clip them, but I always find that by the time I am finally done clipping last weeks inserts- it’s sunday again!! (Does anyone else sometimes love holidays when there aren’t any inserts?? 🙂 )
I also have 3 dogs and a wonderful but messy hubby!! I always tell him, if he ever comnited a crime, they could track him in a matter of secinds, because you can tell where he has been by the piles he makes going around the house- trash/plates/laundry- and it’s usually after I have just spent a few hours cleaning. So I guess I just want a way to keep up with it all and be happy.( and secretly to get my hubby to help participate without really knowing he is doing-so!)
I guess my biggest and scariest to-do is planning for the future. And I say scariest because it is!! Our budget is sooooo over-run and in need of a make-over that I don’t know where to begin. I know that people can get behind and make budgets, but honestly, there are some times when just utilities can fall behind, and we have some haunting debt, so how do you start to move forward if you are already behind on the regular bills and everyone wants the money now?? Not to mention that my hubby and I would love to have kids soon, but its to scary to think of with how we are financially sometimes.
So those are the things I want to work on ( Phewwww- that’s a lot!!) But it’s a start to make a goal 🙂 🙂
This sounds great! I cant wait…I have a full time job, a sick mother I care for, and a fiance who is a NYC detective and works nights and way tooo many hours. I def need some balance. More often than not, we are both way tooo tired to even think of cooking, and I always say I am going to plan meals for the week and then I am too tired. I would love to get some help/ motivation with meal planning and in general just organizing my time to get more done.
I would like to fit time into my life to exercise. I work full-time, by the time I get home in the evening, cook dinner, get the kids bathed and ready for bed, do laundry, clean up the kitchen; I’m done. I just can’t seem to fit it all in! HELP:)
I work 40+ hours outside the home, plus the usual house stuff also. Dont get me wrong, my hubby is wonderful and helps out lots. The area we are struggling with the most is meal planning…I have a pantry and freezer full of stuff, just cant get the meals together.
I would love to see how you organize your stockpiles. I have gotten so many wonderfully free goodies since i started following your blog, but I am simply running out of storage. do you ever show your pantry, closets??
I was really wondering how you do it all! I’ve got 2 kids and just can’t keep up! I was feeling inadiquate, but you’ve made me feel so much better! That sounds horrible, but it’s nice to know that there are other mommies out there in the same boat. I was wondering if all those super moms were just normal moms, and I was slacking.
I Hope your day gets better. Take some time for your self, we’ll all be here when you get back (at least I will).
I’m having one of those days today! Being a full-time student and working 25 hours a week is starting to wear on me. Three projects, two papers, two exams and a quiz all due/happening this week not to mention finals in a few weeks! My apartment is a mess and I’m working overtime for the next three days. For some reason, though, the messy apartment bothers me the most! I don’t know why! Hah! I absolutely need to find some balance in my life.
I would LOVE a schedule for cleaning. Day 1: Tackle the bathroom (and here’s how…). Day 2: Tackle the kitchen. Day 3: Bedroom, etc. I feel like when I have a clean apartment, I’m so much more relaxed. I find myself procrastinating sitting on the couch just thinking about all of the stuff I have to do. I think a cleaning schedule would help me to schedule everything else going on in my life.
Okay just did some googling and found this at RealSimple.com (one of my fav. mags!): https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/daily-cleaning-checklist-00000000000953/
and also I found this:
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ol-images/la/uploads/atla112707_realsimp.jpg
and a bunch of people are also recommending FlyLady.net
What a great idea, Collin! 🙂
I have a hard time controlling clutter in our house. The breakfast bar gets everything thrown on it from, school papers, books, toys, keys, hats, wallets, pencils, ect. So we have never eaten at it. I have a hard time cleaning my house. I stay at home, but have a one yr old and a 6 yr old who i walk to school in the morning and pick up. Everyday things i have to do are, clean kitchen/dishes, laundry including folding and putting away or they get wrinkly, Picking up toys n living room, and cleaning dining room table. My husband says well just clean one day a room ontop of those things, which i could probably do if i didnt spend SO MUCH TIME ON HIPTOSAVE!!!!! OOPS.. So i know i have to clean bathrooms at nap time, don’t want baby getting in cleaning suppiles. I cant mop with her or vacuum stairs. And i can’t vacuum with her sleeping, so when do i do this. I just want to relax when my husband is home. Okay so thats it, cause i could go on and on with exccuses of why i don’t do things. : p
ok, so i just checked out flylady.net
go to the beginner babysteps section and we will start today -together lol!
shining the sink sounds pretty easy for day one! 😀
My husband has a terrible problem with leaving little bits and pieces scattered around. Not empty cereal boxes, but, say, the shrink wrap sealing a bottle top or gum wrappers and such. Makes me absolutely crazy, but he says he can’t see them or doesn’t think about it, so I keep all horizontal surfaces clean and clear as possible so he can’t miss the mess. Some stuff sits out by necessity (bread box, knife block) and I have some seasonal decor that I swap in and out, but definitely no paper clutter because it’s just an excuse to leave more laying around. We have a wooden box by the door that we keep our keys, the dog leash, the (sorted) mail, and odds and ends like gum (so we can pick it up on the way out the door). This in itself helps keep paper clutter down, since I sort the mail before putting it in the box. Also, when you pick up something to put it away, don’t put it down until it is where it belongs. Otherwise, you just end up moving clutter around. I do let things accumulate on my desk–especially when I am working on a paid job–but my house gets so dusty that I have to straighten it all up every week or so in order to dust, so I use that opportunity to sort through things. I also file clipped coupons right away–nothing worse than a mess of coupons! I don’t think I clip that many, though. Judging by a lot of the other comments here, I think others have *way* more coupons than they can reasonably deal with, which just leads to spending money unnecessarily because you’ve got a coupon and/or lost time devoted to organizing, sorting, and maintaining them. If your coupons overwhelm you, why not try cutting back? Maybe one insert a week instead of a dozen. Print only those IPs that you know you’re going to use, not those that may be a good deal at some point in the future. I’m totally behind couponing (and it is actually a hobby I enjoy), but I think a lot of people just overdo it and it overtakes their lives. I have a family of three, and I get coupons in my Sunday paper and online (two computers), and I promise that my stockpile would be more than adequate for a family twice the size of mine. In fact, it’s rainy today, so it would be a good time to go straighten out my cupboards and closets!
My addiction has become this website and couponing. My Sunday has turned into the day of organizing my coupons (when my kids allow me to focus on it). My husband and I also started to cook several chicken breasts to eat through the week. He grills them in light seasoning, so we can make different dinners each night with them. We both work FT outside the house. I would like to be more organized with piles of clutter that find their way on my kitchen counters and table. With two little girls, school projects and a dog (with a weak tummy), we would love a “neater/cleaner” house to come home to. We had someone clean our house, but with cut-backs at work and such we have given most luxury items. This is such a relief to hear that I am not the only one!! Thanks for helping me realizing I am not alone.
Dinner is the eternal problem for me. I’m always working right down to the wire and then there’s the dreaded question every day: What should we have for dinner? And of course my kids’ only reply is ever “Mac & Cheese”. I hate Mac & Cheese! and I won’t serve it everyday to my kids either! I keep telling myself I need to plan meals ahead of time so I’m not always in this crunch time, opt for the easy and unhealthy way out. Recipe organization or meal planning would be a huge help!
i think we’re twins. my kids say that nightly too and i hate it as well. im’ a terrible cook and have no imagination when it comes to meals
Hey Collin, I would love to see many things. I think these Moms have so many great ideas and are so wonderful at feeling empathy for one another and sharing, why not help one another out? This blog is becoming way more to me than just a coupon saving site! 😉 I have been able to read a few comments and one that struck me was on the ‘freezer cooking.’ I have always wanted to be that Mom that is able to prepare things (on Sundays I guess!) for the week and just take it out of the freezer and in to the oven! How painless and easy would that be?! This can help anyone, even folks that are not Mothers yet or single parents, etc. Of coures, if you hit on this topic I have a small freezer anyway, so maybe this would be an even more incentive to go buy a small one for our laundry room for some extra space for those meals. 😉 Thanks bunches.
I often wonder when, how much time people spend cutting coupons, organizing store lists, and how much time people spend to save money:) i so often hardly have time to get my store list together and I feel like I could save so much more money than i actually do, if I would spend more time……Anyone else struggle with this?
I would love some meal planning tips also and also just everyday organizing, I always have piles and hating shuffling them around!!
I just want to say too that “I” don’t have it all together as a Mother either! And maybe not as a person?! But, I try my best and have a lot of the same goals & morals/values that everyone here has represented to try and obtain in their own household. I do have some ideas that I feel have helped me and here they are: (of course this can be ever-involving as to how it needs to fit your family and their needs and of course, a Mother’s precious time 😉 ….
Here are a few tips on some things of what has worked for me at times and/or present:
‘Me’ time:
*I usually have to get up about 30 min. before everyone else to get this on a weekday! Also, I have a sister that sort of does trade-outs w/me and watches my kids and vice versa. If you do not have a sister or one that can or will do this, I’ll bet you can find another Mom inf one of your social cirlces or at church/school who will be glad to entertain this idea! Both of you win and you get a more refreshed Mom/person. 🙂
‘Extra’ money:
*I have milled over this for years. But what I have finally found is Avon. It is the best, quickest, most simple thing I have found so far that can bring you immediate cash in your pocket. And there is such a low start-up cost. It is literally a business that you can make as little or as much as your passion carries you to.
Kids’ chores/money for kids/allowance:
*We use Dave Ramsey’s chore chart for our kids where they have a significant chore a piece each day, and at the end of the week, they get paid. It is a dollar per chore per kid each day. (I have three) So basically that is $15 a week for us since we have 3. That may sound like a lot but it teaches them how money works and to be accountable and responsibile one day. D. Ramsey also mentions making the three envelopes of ‘Spend, ‘Save, and ‘Give.’ So that way, the child is learning how money is spent and how it is saved. This is very rewarding for our kids.
On ‘Exercising.’
*I have to be honest, I never had a steady exercise routine until recently when my hubby bought me the Wii Fit Plus! I love it and I just turn it on and do my quick 30 workout nearly everyday. Sometimes this is early in the day, sometimes it is late at night. That is the beauty of it. But, again, it is essential. 🙂
Okay, that about does it for me right now. I hope maybe I helped someone w/those! And Collin, I can’t wait for this topic to come out! ;):):)
Ok, that’s it, I NEED a WII FIT 🙂 Now to convince hubby…
One thing I wonder about as far as “me” time. I’ve noticed that many parents let their kids stay up until really late. If you can get your kids to bed at a decent hour, not only is it better for them as they really need the sleep for their health, but it will give the parents a little more “me” or quiet time in the evening.
looking forward to seeing more on this!!!
i’m a sahm of 4 (7, 5 , 3 , 7 months) trying to appreciate the last time i’ll be going thru the baby stage…. he LIVES to be held and we all know there’s only so much you can do while holding/wearing a baby all day long… oh … but that’s besides when i’m dropping off or picking from school 🙂 kindergarten is 1/2 day and pre-K is 2x/week. mostly i’m just happy when i can get in a shower and clean the kitchen. i still haven’t figured out how to manage the school papers that come home …. which pile up on the table ….then the mail that isn’t trash sits on that…… and we’re supposed to find somewhere to eat?? 🙂
i’m sure if my house was more organized i’d feel better…. but i have to do it!
now i’ll go back and finish reading all the comments 🙂 ….
exercise!! how do I find time to fit that in on top of everything else???
How about combining coupons and deals to buy groceries for weekly/monthly meal plans!?! I know people do this, but I have NO idea how! Saving money and time sounds like a great thing to me. And maybe that’d free up some time for exercise (and help us lose weight if the meals are healthy!)!
This is awesome– I think that everyone’s questions have summarized what mine were! I look forward to seeing the posts for May and learning more– you all are amazing! 🙂
i would like to see cleaning schedules and how people get it done, and not just the every day cleaning but the deep cleaning as well.
THIS is where i struggle, i can coupon, i can plan meals but the cleaning, well that is for the birds!
I like all of you have a list of things that I need to get in order to feel better and more organized, like gaining some control over things to make life EASIER. But I will also add, that reading all of your comments (and I’ve read every one so far) and Collin’s post, I’m incredibly motivated to get things in order. I think these posts in May will really get the ball rolling for me and help get things in order. Thanks Collin!
I am a mother of 21 mo. old triplets. My house and coupons are organized. I need direction with meal planning and I hate to cook. I know there must be some web sites out there to aid in this. I am looking to try and plan a month of meals to lessen the stress. More time to play with my girls! I want to incorporate items in my pantry I’ve gotten cheap or free at the grocery store as well as be on the lookout for ingrediants I am lacking. All this and still eat healthy! I will check out mealtimemakeover.com thanks
Okay, I read all of the above posts/comments, and I realize I may be the only reader interested in this…but: I have two children, ages 2 and 1, who will soon be 3 and 2 and joined by another baby sister in June. I am VERY concerned with getting them started toward their education. I am hoping to home-school them once they are “of age” (I say that in quotations because I haven’t looked very far into this and am not entirely sure what an appropriate age is…maybe the same time children start pre-school? At 3?). I dread the idea of them heading off all wide-eyed and innocent to a school scenario where they will learn the naughty things like lying, selfishness, taking things from other children, hitting, biting, etc etc….so I intend to home school to avoid this. I want them to receive the maximum benefit of having very personal attention and a true, vested interest in their education. ANYWHO….long story short, I know already that I will need help devising an appropriate time, curriculum, and goals for my kids. Fitting their lessons into my already hectic day would be a challenge…I’d really like to know how other SAHM’s do it all. Thanks, Collin, for providing this forum and getting all of this tough stuff organized for us other moms!
Sounds like exactly what I need! Between work/mothering/school etc. I feel like I am always only hitting my most immediate goals (surface cleaning, weekly groceries, appts, etc.) and have such a hard time keeping up with the rest. I’ll go through spurts- good coupining and stockpiling, then a phase where I try out recipes and cook and freeze, family stuff, etc. but I can never seem to do all of that well at once. I want to be able to be a good mom/wife/friend/daughter/employee/student and still keep my couponing up, do deep cleaning and home improvement, cook good meals, keep in touch with friends and have time for me. And yes I’m laughing just typing that out but I still want it. I continue to hold out hope that with the right schedule I could somehow figure it all out.
Collin:
Once again you touched a very sensitive area with all human beings.
I would love to see like the others that responded:
1. how to deal the piles of paper that keep reproducing at an alarming rate
2. how to organize the items that you help us get at great prices
3. how to say no to people, in a nice way without letting them think you are saying no
4. how to appreciate myself and be more positive (not always looking at what I didn’t do(like missing a great deal at Target this week))
Thanks