Tuesday, January 31, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 31

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter Recipes
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all items from the kitchen cabinet (or work on one shelf at a time).
3. Wipe down shelf.
4. Discard broken/damaged items.
5. Donate unwanted items.
6. Make a list of items required.
7. Sell any unwanted items.
8. Return items to the cabinet shelves neatly.
9. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
10. Take after photograph (optional).
    
"" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-recipes.html

Monday, January 30, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 30

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Read Organised Home Challenge #5: Recipes
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/organize-recipes.html
    
"" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html

Sunday, January 29, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 29

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter Top of Kitchen Cabinets
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all items from the kitchen cabinet (or work on one shelf at a time).
3. Wipe down shelf.
4. Discard broken/damaged items.
5. Donate unwanted items.
6. Make a list of items required.
7. Sell any unwanted items.
8. Return items to the cabinet shelves neatly.
9. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
10. Take after photograph (optional).
    
"" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/decorating-above-kitchen-cabinets.html

Saturday, January 28, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 28

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Label Freezer Food and Fill Out Freezer Inventory Chart
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all items from the kitchen cabinet (or work on one shelf at a time).
3. Wipe down shelf.
4. Discard broken/damaged items.
5. Donate unwanted items.
6. Make a list of items required.
7. Sell any unwanted items.
8. Return items to the cabinet shelves neatly.
9. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
10. Take after photograph (optional).
    
"" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/freezer-inventory.html

Friday, January 27, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 27

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter and Organise Freezer
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all items from the kitchen cabinet (or work on one shelf at a time).
3. Wipe down shelf.
4. Discard broken/damaged items.
5. Donate unwanted items.
6. Make a list of items required.
7. Sell any unwanted items.
8. Return items to the cabinet shelves neatly.
9. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
10. Take after photograph (optional).
    
"" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-freezer.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/freezer-storage-times.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/organize-freezer.html

Thursday, January 26, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 26

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter Front and Top of Refrigerator
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all items from the kitchen cabinet (or work on one shelf at a time).
3. Wipe down shelf.
4. Discard broken/damaged items.
5. Donate unwanted items.
6. Make a list of items required.
7. Sell any unwanted items.
8. Return items to the cabinet shelves neatly.
9. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
10. Take after photograph (optional).
    
"" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-refrigerator.html

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 25

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Clean Refrigerator & Create Leftover List Chart
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all items from the kitchen cabinet (or work on one shelf at a time).
3. Wipe down shelf.
4. Discard broken/damaged items.
5. Donate unwanted items.
6. Make a list of items required.
7. Sell any unwanted items.
8. Return items to the cabinet shelves neatly.
9. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
10. Take after photograph (optional).
    
"" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.stain-removal-101.com/cleaning-refrigerator.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/eating-leftovers.html

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 24

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
   
Today's Goal: Declutter Old Refrigerator Food
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all items from the kitchen cabinet (or work on one shelf at a time).
3. Wipe down shelf.
4. Discard broken/damaged items.
5. Donate unwanted items.
6. Make a list of items required.
7. Sell any unwanted items.
8. Return items to the cabinet shelves neatly.
9. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
10. Take after photograph (optional).
   
"" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/eat-leftovers.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/food-storage-guidelines.html

Monday, January 23, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 23

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Read Organised Home Challenge #4: Fridge & Freezer
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/organizing-refrigerator.html
     
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html  

Sunday, January 22, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 22

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter Kitchen Cabinet Shelves
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all items from the kitchen cabinet (or work on one shelf at a time).
3. Wipe down shelf.
4. Discard broken/damaged items.
5. Donate unwanted items.
6. Make a list of items required.
7. Sell any unwanted items.
8. Return items to the cabinet shelves neatly.
9. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
10. Take after photograph (optional).
    
"One cabinet shelf at a time - it's quicker than I thought when I set the timer for 15 minutes and then start cleaning and decluttering. Glad that other days will be designated to decluttering dishes, mugs/cups, storage containers, pots and pans, bakeware and water bottles, cookbooks so that I don't get overwhelmed with the daily decluttering (and keep my house in order whilst reducing clutter, too" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html

Saturday, January 21, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 21

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Fill Out Pantry Inventory
1. Print off Pantry Inventory chart.
2. Fill out chart.
3. Laminate chart (optional).
4. Stick chart to the inside of the pantry door.
5. Update chart as required.
    
"I love making printables. The pantry inventory chart is definitely helpful in planning not only what is in stock in our pantry, but also what is out of stock and needs to be refilled. Buying in bulk and storing in airtight containers saves in the household budget, too. Having the inventory in zones helps with shopping list planning too" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html

Friday, January 20, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 20

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter Pantry Shelves
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all items from the pantry.
3. Wipe down pantry shelf.
4. Discard expired food (i.e. compost).
5. Donate unwanted food items that are still in date.
6. Make a list of food items needed to refill any empty containers (or spaces).
7. Return food items to the pantry neatly.
8. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
9. Note down any excess food items for menu planning over the next few weeks (especially if you have too many to store in the pantry neatly). 
10. Take after photograph (optional).
11. Before going shopping, check your pantry so that you don't buy excess food, or to check what has run out and needs restocking in your pantry.
    
"Since canned food and spices are already decluttered and organised, the rest of our pantry is mostly in Tupperware containers. This means usually just filling up containers, putting them back in order and noting down what needs refilling. Some of the local shops are good at refilling directly into my Tupperware, which makes shopping and unpacking much easier and reduces wastage (i.e. buying something we already have). Frugal weeks of menu planning is usually looking at what is in the pantry and then cooking from there - boosting with fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables. It is very satisfying seeing everything neat and tidy, labelled clearly and easy accessible, grouped into categories i.e. cereals, breakfast spreads, tea/coffee, pasta, rice, baking, flours, sugars, dried fruit/nuts/seeds, etc. Our pantry is currently two shelving units but I am looking at buying proper pantries within the next few months now we have reorganised the kitchen" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html  

Thursday, January 19, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 19

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Discard Old Spices and Organise Spices
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all spice jars from the pantry.
3. Wipe down pantry shelf.
4. Discard expired spices (i.e. compost).
5. Donate unwanted spices that are still in date.
6. Make a list of spices needed to refill any empty containers.
7. Return spices to the pantry neatly.
8. Think about storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
9. Note down any excess spices for menu planning over the next few weeks (especially if you have too many to store in the pantry neatly). Marinating meat for the freezer is a good way to use up excess spices too (or flavouring salt for example).
10. Take after photograph (optional).
11. Before going shopping, check your pantry so that you don't buy too many of the same herbs/spices you already have, or to check what has run out and needs restocking in your pantry.
    
"My husband built me a wooden 3-tier shelf to display my spices, since I enjoy using them on a daily basis. I don't buy blends/mixes - I mix my own as needed. I use Tupperware spice containers because they are neat and high quality (although expensive) and being rectangular, fit better onto the shelf so each one can be grabbed quickly. Each container holds 1-cup of herbs and spices. I used a Dymo label machine to label each container, and a round sticker on the base has the best before date written. They are sorted alphabetically so I can find ingredients quickly" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html  
   

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 18

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter Tinned Food, Organise What's Left and Donate Excess
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all cans from the pantry.
3. Wipe down pantry shelf.
4. Discard expired tins (i.e. compost contents, recycle cans).
5. Donate unwanted tinned food (i.e. items your family don't consume) - that are still in date.
6. Return canned food to the pantry with the oldest at the front so they are used first (and most commonly used items at eye level/arm's reach, less used items at the very top or bottom of the pantry).
7. Think about can storage methods/systems: rows, racks, etc.
8. Note down any excess tins for menu planning over the next few weeks (especially if you have too many to store in the pantry neatly).
9. Take after photograph (optional).
10. Before going shopping, check your pantry so that you don't buy too many of the same food you already have, or to check what has run out and needs restocking in your pantry.
    
"We don't buy a lot of tinned food - mainly fish and milk but it is good to have a few tins here and there once our jars of bottled tomatoes etc have finished. I always rotate tins so that the oldest is used first, and in frugal weeks of cooking, menu plan from pantry items first and then boost with lots of fresh vegetables. The can storage systems would be great to add in the future to our pantry - at the moment we just do a row of each item. More and more lentils and beans are being used to prepare healthy, filling, vegetarian meals for our family - and this helps to keep the budget down and reduce food waste!" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html  
   

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 17

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter and Organise Bakeware
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html  
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/bakeware-organizer.html
   

Monday, January 16, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 16

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Read Organised Home Challenge #3: Pantry & Spices
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html 
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/organize-pantry.html

Sunday, January 15, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 15

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal:  Declutter and Organise Pots and Pans
1. Take before picture (optional).
2. Remove all pots and pans from the cupboard.
3. Wipe down cupboard shelves.

4. Sort out pots and pans (keep, fix, donate, toss).
5. Place any pots and pans commonly used at easy access on the shelf. Place other pots and pans that are to be kept neatly into the cupboard (or onto a wall hanger if you hang your pots and pans instead).
6. Fix/repair any pot/pan handles.
7. Set aside any pots and pans that are in good working condition but not required so that they can be donated.
8. Dispose of any damaged pots and pans that cannot be mended.
9. Take after photograph (optional).
        
"I have lots of pots and pans for classes - two sizes, small and large - that are put away in storage, but in the kitchen I had so many pots and pans from our first home, that I have had stuffed into the cupboards in our kitchen, but have not been used for 5+ years!  So I pulled all of the pots and pans out, sorted into keep, donate and toss piles and only kept the pots I use regularly. If I need extra pots, I have the class supplies I can get out of storage, but I decluttered two boxes of pots to the local op-shop. Our kitchen isn't big, so storage is limited and I am aiming to keep the benches and walls clear of clutter, so only keeping what we use regularly works in our home" -Megan

   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html 
      

Saturday, January 14, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 14

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter and Organise Under the Kitchen Sink
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/under-kitchen-sink-cabinet.html

Friday, January 13, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 13

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter Food Storage Containers (i.e. Tupperware)
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html 
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-food-storage-containers.html

Thursday, January 12, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 12

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter and Organize Ziplock Bags, Foil and Plastic Wrap
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/wrap-storage.html

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 11

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
     
Today's Goal: Declutter and Organise Kitchen Junk Drawer
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/organize-junk-drawer.html

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 10

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
    
Today's Goal: Declutter and Organise Silverware Drawer
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/silverware-drawer.html

Monday, January 9, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 9

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
    
Today's Goal: Read Organized Home Challenge #2: Kitchen Cabinets
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/kitchen-cabinet-organization.html
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html

Sunday, January 8, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 8

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
    
Today's Goal: Create a Household Resource Folder
A physical (or digital) book or file that stores information about day-to-day life in your household. Create printables and checklists to keep on track. Some items below may be more suitable stored in various parts of your home i.e. filing away bills/home maintenance, chores on the refrigerator, etc. Some of these charts may already be ready for placing into a household folder, others will be added at later stages as areas are decluttered and routines/checklists are created.
       
"Last year I bought a planner, but found I didn't use some parts of the page, and so I designed my own one this year. I use a ring binder (file)  to assemble my day-to-a-page planner, so I have incorporated a few extra pages for my household resources - including birthdays, rubbish/recycling days, after school sports, budgeting, menu planning, etc. Other checklists/charts will be placed into various areas of the house i.e. behaviour charts and chore lists for our children will be in the kitchen area and cleaning schedules in the laundry. There is quite a few on the lists below that I have yet to complete over the rest of the year but I am focusing on the daily planner to begin with, and the routine charts for my children, and will add other pages as further missions are undertaken" -Megan
           
1. Daily Schedules:
  • Morning Routine Chart (children) [KITCHEN]
  • Afternoon Routine Chart (children) [KITCHEN]
  • Evening Routine Chart (children) [KITCHEN]
  • Good Behaviour Chart (children) [KITCHEN]
  • Chore/Reward Chart (children) [KITCHEN]
  • Weekly Schedule (family) [DAILY PLANNER]
  • Calendar [WALL CALENDAR IN KITCHEN]
  • To-Do List [DAILY PLANNER]
      
2. Cleaning Checklists:
  • Daily House Cleaning Schedule
  • Weekly cleaning schedule
  • House cleaning checklist
  • Weekly checklist for house cleaning
  • Kitchen cleaning checklist
  • Bathroom cleaning checklist 
  • Housekeeping checklist to get ready for guests
  • Spring cleaning checklist
  • Christmas cleaning checklist
  • Weekly laundry schedule [LAUNDRY]
  • Stain removal guide [LAUNDRY]
  • Task list template for tracking odd jobs and household chores [KITCHEN]
   
3. Car and Home:
  • Car maintenance schedule
  • Vehicle inspection checklist
  • Vehicle maintenance log (also includes mileage log)
  • Home maintenance checklist
  • Home storage inventory
  • Household inventory (and why you should create a household inventory)
 
4. Food and Drink:
  • Shopping List [KITCHEN]
  • Grocery price list
  • Seasonal food calendar chart
  • Coupon organizer
  • Meal planning template
  • Menu planning ideas forms
  • Recipe organizer
  • Pantry inventory
  • Freezer inventory
  • Errands and shopping list
  • Food Journal [KITCHEN]
       
5. Family and Friends:
  • Goal statement for your family
  • Contact information and address book [DAILY PLANNER]
  • Personal information page for each family member
  • Clothing sizes for each family member
  • Lists of books to read, DVDs to watch
 
6. School and Social Activities:
  • Children's school papers
  • School schedules and calendars [DAILY PLANNER]
  • Lunch menus
  • Carpool schedules
  • School information page
  • School reading lists
  • Summer programs information [DAILY PLANNER]
  • Sports schedules [DAILY PLANNER]
  • Scouting and PTA materials
 
7. Health and Safety
  • Emergency contact list [PURSE AND DAILY PLANNER]
  • Medical information for family members
  • Emergency supplies list
  • Home safety checklist
  • Fire safety checklist
  • First aid checklist
  • Prescription records
  • Medical centre and GP information
  • Health insurance information
  • Pet health records
  • Home security checklist
 
8. Finances:
  • Savings Chart [DAILY PLANNER]
  • Household budget [DAILY PLANNER]
  • Bills to pay [DAILY PLANNER]
  • Checkbook register
  • Passwords for online accounts
  • List of credit cards, banks and accounts
 
9. Legal Information and Documents:
  • Insurance information
  • Tax paperwork
  • Contents of safety deposit box
  • Warranty information
  • Vehicle records
  • Family records, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, wills, etc.
  • Property ownership documents, such as deeds, leases, stock certificates, bonds, mortgages, etc.
  • Contracts
 
10. Holidays and Other Events:
  • How to make a holiday planner
  • Thanksgiving planner, for your meals and traditions (including Thanksgiving grocery and shopping list, a written out menu, a countdown schedule for the day of cooking, plus a checklist for the whole month)
  • Christmas meals, and traditions (including Christmas grocery list, and a written out menu)
  • Christmas budgeting form
  • Planning for other parties and celebrations
  • Christmas wish list and gift list
  • Seasonal greeting card and Christmas card list
  • List of birthdays and anniversaries [DAILY PLANNER]
  • Gift suggestion list
  • Gift tracker (to track gifts received to write thank you notes)
         
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/how-to-get-organized.html
http://www.household-management-101.com/homemaking-notebook.html
   

Saturday, January 7, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 7

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
 
Today's Goal: Declutter Pot Holders and Kitchen Towels
1. Take before picture.
2. Empty storage space and consider where you will put your kitchen cloths.
3. Vacuum, disinfect and clean drawers (or shelves).
4. Replace liners if needed (add dividers if you like).
5. Sort out pot holders and tea towels.
6. Fold clean tea towels into drawers neatly (use a divider to separate clean wash cloths and a spare set of oven mitts/pot holders) so that the drawers aren't full and each pile is easily accessed.
7. Pack away seasonal kitchen cloths (i.e Christmas prints) with seasonal items i.e. Christmas box (label storage box).
8. Donate any unwanted, reusable cloths.
9. Dispose of damaged or worn cloths (if they are unsuitable for cleaning cloths for example).
10. Take after photograph.
11. Store enough kitchen cloths to use between wash loads and ensure they are washed, folded and stored properly with every laundry.
   
"Until today I had a shelf of the laundry cupboard devoted to a mixture of cleaning cloths and kitchen tea towels. After yesterday's utensil decluttering mission, I had a kitchen drawer empty for storing tea towels. I've never stored linen in the kitchen but it makes sense! I wash daily, so I have stored around 5-6 tea towels (as I change cloths with every load of dishes), plus two spare tablecloths (which can often be changed daily if the kids are messy) and space for another set of pot holders/mitts (because my current set is worn and needs replacing). Any worn cloths become cleaning cloths and are stored in the laundry rag bag" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
   

Friday, January 6, 2017

52 WEEK MONEY CHALLENGE

GOAL: SAVE $1378 IN ONE YEAR
    
Save money easily with the 52 Week Challenge! Simply save $1 in Week 1, $2 in Week 2, and so on - adding $1 extra each week to your savings. After 52 weeks of saving, you will have $1378! You can use a glass jar for saving, or set up a separate bank account to transfer money into each week (then you'll also earn interest). Want to start the challenge, but it's not the beginning of the year? No problem! Just save the current total, then continue with the weekly deposit amounts as listed below. 
    
    
BANK SLOT LID INSERT
Transform regular mouth mason jars into money banks! Simply replace the seal from a regular mouth mason jar with the bank slot lid insert. Decorate your jar/s with paint, glitter, stickers etc. Glue paper over the insert for extra decoration if you like. Pinterest has lots of great ideas, and these money jars make great gifts (and make your year of saving extra special, especially if you are saving towards something).
"Money Challenge"
"Savings"
"Girls just wanna have funds"
"Don't follow your dreams - chase them"
"Money can't buy happiness but it can buy ..."
"Lucky Pennies"
"Mum's Pamper Fund"
"Shoe Fund"
"Loose Change"
"Jar Fund"
"Tip Jar"
"Rainy Day"
"Name" (decorate jars with a favourite colour, add initials, etc)
"My Stache" or "Hands off my Stache" (add a moustache to the jar)
"Laundry Money"
"Holiday Fund"
    
  
 
52 WEEK MONEY CHALLENGE ALTERNATIVE #1: REVERSE SAVINGS
Find it easier to save more at the beginning of the year? Save $52 in Week 1, $51 in Week 2, and so on - reducing the amount saved each week by $1 by following the chart below.
 
52 WEEK MONEY CHALLENGE ALTERNATIVE #2: MID-YEAR SAVINGS
Find it tricky to save at the beginning and end of the year? Start off with small savings, building up to the larger amounts in the middle of the year, then reducing payments to the end of the year - follow the chart below
   
52 WEEK MONEY CHALLENGE ALTERNATIVE #3: MONTHLY AUTO-TRANSFERS
Paid monthly? Save monthly! $115 per month = $1380 saved (plus interest, if you are transfering into a bank account).

8 WEEK FOOD JOURNAL

"At the beginning of last year I did an eight week exercise/healthy eating challenge with a few friends, and made these charts during the challenge - you can save, print and use them at home for yourself too!" -Megan
     







DECLUTTER 365: DAY 6

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!

    
Today's Goal: Declutter kitchen utensils, knives and measuring cups.
1. Take before picture for sharing on the Declutter 365 Facebook Page.
2. Empty utensil drawers and clean drawers well. Replace liners if needed (add dividers if you like).
3. Place commonly used utensils into drawers neatly (organised by type if dividers are used) so that the drawers aren't full and utensils are hard to reach because they are mixed up.
4. Pack away special event utensils and excess cutlery elsewhere (label storage box).
5. Donate any unwanted, reusable utensils.
6. Dispose of damaged utensils.
7. Sharpen knives.
8. Store measuring cups in baking corner of the kitchen cupboards.
9. Take after photograph for sharing on the Declutter 365 Facebook Page.
10. Keep utensils, knives and measuring cups clean and tidy from now on!
    
"We have four drawers in our kitchen. The top drawer is for the most commonly used (cutlery), the second drawer is for commonly used utensils (cooking), the third for tea towels, spare sponges and kitchen cloths, and the fourth for storing other utensils that aren't used very often (i.e. baking). I emptied all of the drawers then vacuumed the inside of each drawer, sprayed with disinfectant and then wiped dry before returning cutlery and utensils to the correct place. I would like to add drawer dividers to two of the drawers soon" -Megan
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
   
  

Thursday, January 5, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 5

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
    
Today's Goal: Clear off kitchen table.
1. 
2. 
3. 
   
"Our table always seems to get cluttered because it is the first flat surface once you enter our living area, so I decided no decorations (vases etc): just a clean tablecloth after wiping down the table and chairs. I will be putting away any items that are left on the table (or telling my children to pack away their items) as I see items left on the table, instead of waiting to tidy up in the rush before serving family meals" -Megan
    
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html

http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-kitchen-table.html
   


Wednesday, January 4, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 4

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
   
Today's Goal: Clear off kitchen counters and kitchen island.
1.
2.
3.
   
"We only have one counter in our kitchen, and it was cluttered with appliances, leaving little space for food preparation! Today I removed all appliances and only left the microwave, knife block and paper towel on the kitchen counter in a neat corner. The appliances that are used daily are placed into the right hand cupboards, on the top shelf for easy access i.e. blender, toaster. My bread machine is used every 2-3 days but being so bulky I have stored that away (easy to get out though) so that there is maximum bench space available, which makes the counter look much bigger than it is!" -Megan
    
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-kitchen-counters.html
   


Tuesday, January 3, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 3

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
  
Today's Goal: Declutter and organise kitchen sink area.
1. 
2. 
3. 
  

"We have a double sink in our kitchen, but it can get cluttered with dishes very quickly with school holidays (and normal food preparation). Usually I wash dishes 2-3 per day (or after every meal) but I also set aside a plastic tray on the top shelf of the cupboard under the sink for storing any dirty dishes in between washing i.e. visitors over but that is not used much at all" -Megan
    
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html

http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/sink-organization.html
    

Monday, January 2, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 2

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
    
Today's Goal: Read Organized Home Challenge Week #1: Kitchen Counters.
1. 

2. 
3. 
   
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/kitchen-organization.html

Sunday, January 1, 2017

DECLUTTER 365: DAY 1

15 minute missions to make a decluttered, clean, organised home!
  
Today's Goal: A Sorting Corner!
1. Bin Box: a box or basket for broken or old items to be disposed of.
2. Donation Box: set up a donation box near the front door (to be put into the car and taken to the op shop weekly).
3. Selling Corner: only for high-value items (all others will be donated in #1). Photograph items to sell online. 
    
Resource: http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-calendar-january.html
    

2017 WALL CALENDAR

"Save, print and display at home. We use a nice white A4 photo frame to hang our calendar in the kitchen" -Megan