Declutter- Handbag!!

I am struggling to find time out side of work hours to get my posts done so I have been using my lunch breaks to get everything done.... the other day I was trying to figure out what I could do from my desk and so I had a look at this post from The Orgaised Housewife.

My handbag is generally full of stuff but I do try to have regular clean out sessions. So, on Friday I gave it another, more thorough, clean out. This is what I found!

This is my little handbag. It is quite full of stuff that I don't need. Like;

I apologise for the quality of the photos but they were taken on my phone as I didn't have my camera with me. As you may be able to see, there were two Malteasers!! What the?!?! Along with 2 hair clips for the baby, two pens, two lip glosses, two types of hay fever medication, a dummy, some bills, and my purse and note book, keys and a bottle opener... and a dog pooh bag!

I managed to get it down to this-

Again, sorry for the photo quality. But I have my asthma meds which have to stay with me at all times, my purse, note book, one pen, both lip glosses and my keys. Beautiful!!

Then... I thought I'd have a look at the purse. Oh Ma Garsh!!! Talk about stuff I don't need, and some that I do!

I clearly have more "loyalty" cards than I need, some tickets that don't need to be there, Bruneian dollars that I can't even use and then some partially used gift cards. I checked on the back on the gift cards and went online to check the balance.... $20 on one and $8 on the other!!! Yay!!! Thanks to The Organised Housewife for making me clear out my purse and get free money!!!

I am loving this de-cluttering frenzy... I am actually making money!

Favourite Products- Bathroom

This post is a for me to share my favourite products with you.

I am lazy. No butts about it. I hate cleaning everything... except for the bathroom. I don't know why, it's just always been my favourite room to clean... maybe because it gets so shiny and beautiful! Before our bathroom had it's makeover it was much easier to clean because we didn't care about what we used in it... nothing was too powerful. Bleach, Draino, Gumption... you name it, we used it. Now, when the new prettified room came to be, my DH wanted to only use Enjo to clean the entire bathroom. This is fine for most things but you do spend a stupid amount of time buffing, rubbing and polishing things that just don't warrant it! So, I do the sneaky!!

Our shower sits over the bath so the bath gets heaps of soap scum and general grime all over it! So, I use SHOWER POWER!! I am in love with Shower Power! You just spray it on.... wipe it around a bit... leave it... and then wipe it off. It gets EVERYTHING off! I can't even explain properly my love of Shower Power! Say it with me! "Shower Power"
It's not very often that a product does what it says it will but this is one of them. If you haven't tried it before, do your self a favour and try it! It cuts my bath cleaning time to about 120 seconds. 

Next, on to the toilet. I like having a clean toilet so I have to dedicate quite a large chunk of my grocery budget to buying toilet cleaner as I refuse to scrub it! I went through a few toilet cleaners before I found one that would genuinely do it itself! Here it is (I strongly suggest you try this if you haven't before... it is a god send!) Harpic White & Shine Bleach Gel... it is my second favourite cleaning product. Get on this wagon asap... I just chuck it in and leave it for 10 minutes.... it is done by the time you get back!!!!! If it is not perfect you just need to give it a bit of a smash with the brush... beautiful!

Well, that's it. I'll get onto the rest of my time saving product tips over the next month. There won't be too many because as you know, I hate cleaning.

X

1000 Things Challenge

This is a great challenge which I have started and I thought you might all like to have a go too!

The challenge is to sell 1000 things. Easy!

The idea is that even if you only made $1 on each item you'd have $1,000... and who wouldn't like an extra grand?

Things to note, if you are going to sell some stuff on ebay make sure you make more money than the posting costs. These will vary depending on how many details and options you pick. Keep an eye out for their free listing specials! They will often have a weekend where anything that starts as a 99c starting bid can be posted for free... this way if you are just going to sell a few cards or a great picture you drew (why not?? if you made a dollar on it it all goes towards your final goal) then everything will be profit. Also, do not list something for 99c if you are not prepared to sell it for that. If only one person bids 99c you MUST sell it at that price. You can set a minimum reserve, so do it.

Also make sure you pay attention to shipping costs which can be underestimated through ebay. The postage cost does not include the Parcel Post bag!! This will cost YOU extra!

See if you can tee delivery up if the person lives on your regular route, maybe they can come over to collect the item when you know you will be home all day doing your cleaning so you are not wasting valuable time, if you need to post it, will it fit in an envelope??

So, what can you sell?

First, go through room by room and find all those things you no longer need or want. I read a great quote somewhere (sorry that I can't remember which blog it came from and I am paraphrasing) 'If you don't use it, if you don't look at it... let someone else give it the life it deserves' or something like that. I suggest you sell per room. Start with your bedroom and don't move onto another room until you have finished selling everything from that room. This means you can leave it where it already was while you wait for it to be sold rather than move your junk around the house!

To make it to 1000 things you are probably going to have to get creative in finding things to sell. Try other methods too! What about a cake stall at the local footy game? A stall at the local market or swap meet? Can you make something? Often the most simple ideas sell the best... knitted scarves, home made cards, jams??

Keeping Track.

If you are not very computer savvy you could just buy a 50c note book and write every thing you sell in there. Make sure you only write the total money you MADE on top of any fees like stall hire or listing fees, this will make your progress easier to track. Other wise, you could make yourself an Excel spreadsheet to track all expenses and profits gained out of your little venture.

I hope some of you will take up this challenge... we all have soooo much stuff in our lives that could be sold to give you some extra money for the things that mean something to you... and help de-clutter your home and life!

Why Blog??

I have been asking myself that question. Why am I blogging?

I shelved any ideas of notoriety a very long time ago, in my teens when I fell pregnant and kept my baby instead of continuing with my blossoming modelling career. Since then I have been pretty happy just getting by. So, it can't be because of the chance of being well know for doing something.

I am not a very good writer. Even though I read all of the time I haven't picked up the skill to translate all these A++ ideas into the written word. I try and write what is in my head but it just doesn't come out that way. So, it can't be because I am a literary whiz.

So, I guess it must be because I just wanted to relate to people. I want people to know me because they can relate to me and my life's struggles. Maybe they will like the way I write... not really smart.... just like a normal woman who is just venting and experimenting, and sharing with a bunch of friends she doesn't know yet. I have always been the talker in my group, not uncommon for people to just start walking away (especially if the vino has been flowing) while I'm still talking on a train of thought that has spanned the last three hours. Occasionally though, someone will sit and listen. Then even less frequently, someone will just look at me and say "You should write this stuff down". So, here it is.

I think I have found something that hasn't really been over-blogged, there are plenty of blogs dedicated to being really good at something but there aren't so many where the writer is willing to put their hand up and go "I can't do this... I'm just like you"

I have two followers at this stage and I have to say, I get such a thrill from looking at them and my one comment that it just makes me want to keep going... and that's just with two! So, thanks for enabling me to do something that makes me happy.

5 Great Blogs I Have Discovered

Hi all,

Things have been a bit quiet on the "organisational" front. I have been insanely busy trying to get myself back into the swing of full time work that the house has become a very low priority. Saying that, I have been trying to get a few of the basics done every day so that there isn't too much to do on the weekend.
At work, I have the opportunity to do a bit of personal browsing and have started a few challenges which a running on them at the moment. I like a bit of friendly competition and work better if I have a goal to head towards so I suggest you have a look at these and give them a go. Just click on the names.

- Aspiring Millionaire

This woman has got the know-how and the drive to get to her goal of being a millionaire by the time she's 30. I am really impressed with her blog and it has inspired me to get a wriggle on and take charge of my finances and life in general. She has various challenges, how-to lists, life stories and great links to other blogs that she has been inspired by. Well worth a look.

-The Daring Kitchen

Now, this is something I am passionate about, food! This is an exclusive group that you can request to join that sets itself a monthly baking (or cooking) challenge. Then everyone goes off and blogs a photo diary on their attempt of the challenge. I have put my application in and I'm eagerly awaiting acceptance!! Last month they made caramel cheesecake.... it looked divine.

-The Ultimate Blog Challenge

Got a blog? Is it only just beginning like mine? Or, is it not quite what you want it to be?? Well, this is a free programme which encourages wonderful blogging for an entire month. The daily tasks are sent to you via email so you can keep them all on file and re-use them month after month to keep up the good work. I am finding it very inspirational (hence this post!)

-The Organised Housewife

Ahhh, my muse! I know I have put her site up before but this is the only reason I have a blog so I'm putting it out there again. She sets totally do-able daily tasks that will help you keep your entire house under control and de-cluttered. She also has meal plans, tips for keeping your kids happy, craft and scrapbooking ideas (I for one hate scrapbooking but that's just me) and she'll also chuck some decorating and weight loss tips in there for free! LOVE HER!

-Bonkers About Buttons

This one is just because I loves it!! I am so in love with buttons, the fact that they can have so much wonder and still be so teensy! The woman who writes this blog is witty to boot and finds great tutorials on button craft and has a good eye for the unusual and brilliant. Jump on over and have a look-see!

Thanks for reading today's post. I hope you enjoy the above websites and have a go at their challenges like I am... I will post more about my involvement with these challenges and their blogs.

Happy Disorganisation!

Good news!

I have fulfilled one of my goals!

I got a JOB!!!

I am now a full time employee at a recruitment firm. I will be sorting out their database and contacting everyone on it and making their information current. It is pretty good pay and good options for the future as they will be looking at employing a recruiter in the new year and I'll be all ready to step up.

So, what does this mean for my housewifyness?? Well, I guess I'm just going to have to get more organised! Working 38 hours a week, keeping a home, making all meals and caring for two children and a man is a lot to have on your plate but I think I can do it. I worked full time when P was our only child so it can't be too much harder with only one extra child.

Bad news about this job, I get paid monthly!! OMG!! I am going to be broke on a very regular basis while I get used to it! Please be patient with me if I complain endlessly about having no money for no reason.

I plan on putting a few posts up on how to get things done in creative ways when you're working full time!

Daily Task- Tuesday 28th June

{DAILY TASK} Fix something that is broken...stop putting it off, today's the day.


So, here it goes! I don't really have that many things that are broken because my DH tends to get most things fixed pretty quickly. And, I'm terrible at sewing things. I have a lot of respect for people who can sew even the simplest thing because I am all thumbs with a needle and thread. 


My baby S got a little jacket from a friend of ours and after one wear, one button had come off completely and a second was on its last legs. So, today I reattached them!! (Has anyone noticed the quality of the button sewing at Target kids going down hill? I have had heaps of their buttons come off recently!)


Here is the jacket with its three attached buttons. The one in the top left is on its last thread.

It's such a cute jacket! Anyway, as I said above, I am not really any good or interested in sewing so I don't have much of a kit. I just went to Coles and bought one of the ready-to-go emergency kits which has pretty much been enough for the last few years. Every now and then I need something different so I just add it to the kit. I haven't needed to upgrade my little bag yet, if I ever get to that point I hope to have enough money to pay someone else to fix things. Here is my kit!

Everything I could ever need! So, I set about sewing the first button back on and then removing and re-attaching the second. Umm, as you'll be able to see, it didn't actually go so well. The bottom right button is way too high and the top left is slightly too low. You know what? I DON'T CARE!! I am so stupidly chuffed with my effort and they almost line up with the holes anyway so I'm delighted!Sooo Ms Organised Housewife, I have succeeded in your daily task! How good does it look!

(Let's not share the end result around with too many people, it's actually quite shocking!)