Do we consume too much?

I feel we do. As I write this blog I am thinking about a mug I saw in TKMaxx that I want to buy and soon we will going to ASDA's to pick up a few bits and thinking about buying an item of clothing and ordering a top from Amazon. 

If you not checked out my Youtube channel, then check this one out:

It is time to cut down, and I will be doing No spend January, and that means using my money on the essentials, such as food, bits for my son for when he returns to school. So, going to go through what I already have and use up and checking that his school clothes still fit him, because he is growing so fast, but no spending on items that I don't need, and can wait.

When it gets to this side of Christmas I get sick of spending, and so doing No Spend January helps me to do that, and save.

The problem with me is that I get bored, and the only thing that fixes that is buying something, but then I am spending money for the sake of it, I feel I have wasted it, and could have been saved for more important items. 

So going to change up my wardrobe of what has been worn and what I have not. Shop my wardrobe basically, and packing for when I am in Epsom, and wear what I have already got. I am so glad we had a quiet Christmas, and didn't over do it. 

Before the new years though I will be buying a jar of coffee, as I am running out in Epsom, and some face wash. So a few bits I need to get, but enough of what I need, and will get me through the month. Not meaning that after January I can go on a shopping spree, in fact it will be the opposite, and doing No spend days. 

I am going to challenge myself to make sure that before I buy anything that I already have and run out. This means my toiletries, clothes, food and buy less snacks, and go snack free. 

There will be temptations, but make sure I have a break between meals, and that I eat food that properly fills me up. 

So, going to keep going through of what I have got and save. I am going to pay of my credit card, and save so we can have a holiday this year, and a proper one. 

Why not join me in use up what we got and consume less.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Ten things to Organize on a regular basis if not each day or week

So soon we will be entering into a new year and means that we have to take down our Chrisstmas decor and get ready to get our homes back to normal and organized. 

I went through my presents that Santa got for me to give to family and my Christmas Ornaments were smashed, and so will need to make sure that I can replace these in a different place before the next Christmas. 

My desk in Wimbled when it has been cleaned and tidied on a regular basis

So, here are 10 things to organize on regular basis if not each day or week:

1. Clothes. I travel a lot because I live in Wimbledon but spend a lot of time in Epsom too, and because of the trains and buses issues, been staying in both places and so living out of a bag. So I go through clothes not worn, and so before I buy anything else make sure I wear what I have already got. Check my Youtube channels My way of living, where I have talked about using up what you already got: https://www.youtube.com/@mywayofliving1602

2. Toiletries. I have plenty of shower gels, toothpaste and skincare, that I don't need anymore and organize them so what I have, gets used, and don't get forgotten about and store them to see what I have got and bought a new toiletry bag to store make up and toiletries to carry around with me when I travel, and keep them altogether so I don't forget them.

3. Stationary. I love a notebook and did a video about how I can live in Notebook a few years ago: https://youtu.be/f6YVEziXlA4 and so for my Autumn Reset sorted out my notebooks and kept what I wanted out of them, and put them into a folder, and so make sure I use once again what I have, and still buy plain notebooks, to help write notes as I do have a Filofax but it can be quite heavy to carry around. So I will make sure I have plenty of pens, a ruler and scissors and file cards and post its. 

4. Presents. Yes, after Christmas where should your presents go? I find they can add to clutter but have them in a room that you can display them, and an area they can take them off, like low shelf, and if it is money or a gift card, put it on a board where you will see it and remember to use it. If it is bedding then it is time to strip the beds and wash their existing sets and if it for children have them help you, depending on age. and word: If they are still toilet training, I would wait, and explain that they can go on the bed, but they have got to keep the bed dry.

5. Books. I love books and would live in a house of books, along with notepads, because I love to read and so I have some on a book shelf and then in a storage container, and not bought anymore until they have been read. and I have used Library but find it hard to renew them, and so visit Charity shops and books shops, but make sure I go through them and are stored in a place that they won't get super dusty.

 6. Money. I make sure each week to go through my finances and check my account everyday and use my filofaxt to help stay on track and a spreadsheet on Excel and budget, along with doing spending plans and budget on different areas where my money goes on a regular basis. 

7. Bags. I decluttered my bags and wanted to have minimal amount. I use a handbag, but will go through my bags, to clean them and keep tabs of what is in them and that they are easy to carry, but trying not to overload them, but can carry multiple items. 

8. Food. I make sure I check the fridge and cupboards to see what needs to be replemished, and I don't have to buy so much food, just bits to add or if we need bread or milk. I like to go through what needs to be cooked food and make sure it all gets used, and trying to eliminate wasting food. 

9. Equipment. Take things not used off the work tops and have a cupboard just for them, that you can easily lift out and put back in. Clean out your toasters, as they can build up crumbs inside. I put my laptop away on the table I use as a desk, ready for when we have dinner and then can bring back to the place on the table, to continue using laptop. I no longer have my phone near my bed and that has made a real difference in getting a good nights sleep. 

10. Draws. Yes they can get clogged up, and the main ones for me is, cutlery draws, trays, fridge draws and odds and sods. So junk draw. I have a hack, and that is to put tin foil in the draw, if you don't have any draw inserts as this can really reduce the time to clean them. If you have craft paper, you can use this too. 

Please put in the comments of the things to organize on a regular basis. 

We can have a lot of clutter so having a sort out can make a huge difference, with our minds and that everything has a home. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X