Setting up a frugal homemaker cleaning system is not expensive. None of the fancy gadgets are necessary and thousands do not have to be spent on a maid service. Some years’ ago I owned a residential cleaning service. From this experience derived the knowledge of a cleaning system. Expensive cleaners aren’t part of the program and our great-grandmothers’ didn’t even have them. Even with all of our advanced technology we still complain that we are behind.
Our home does not have a dishwasher, and may not have a microwave in the future. I do have a washer, dryer and other conveniences. From my perspective it is not the tool that helps us stay on top of our housework, but the management of it and the system. Here are a few of the ways I manage my cleaning system.
Frugal Homemaker Daily List
Are you a list maker? I am. List making gives me a feeling of satisfaction as a frugal homemaker. Each time as I mark off something it gives me some kind of reward. My only problem with lists are I have too many of them. Spending money on different planners, organizing items that end up in the trash or unused is an endless cycle. Planners are so expensive. All that is really needed is a basic notebook, index card, or whiteboard. If you are an electronic person an app is going to work better for your list making needs.
Here is a simple way to stay on top of your housework. Do one thing everyday. Make a short list. For example, I like the house to be picked up. My index card will read pick up house before bed. Next, I reuse the same index card several days in a row. Only writing down one thing to work on each day. Progress is more important. Even if you work full time there is 20 minutes in a day for you to do the one thing that moves your housework forward.
Routines vs. Habits
Everyday my habit is to fix a cup of coffee. Each morning after I have my coffee and devotional I get ready for the day. That is my routine. Routines propel us forward and keep things moving. Habits are something we are used to doing. Habits and routines are huge money saving devices because they instill in you the discipline to ultimately save money. Routines set you up to be prepared so that you avoid the “convenience” that will cost you money. How? If I am having a rough homeschool day, and forget my coffee eventually later that day I am going to justify an expense. That expense could be an iced coffee, donut, or a $4.00 tea that could have been avoided. All of this happened because I set myself up to justify an expense to make me happy.
Another way to save is to break bad habits such as buying breakfast each morning. Take time out of the previous day or an allowed time each week to prepare breakfast for the week. Package it up and place it in the freezer. This way in the morning you grab, go and save vs. go and spend. Setting yourself up to save is imperative.
Make Do, Or Do Without Philosophy
Do we really need everything easier? Not really. Our grandparents made do, and so can we. All of the modern conveniences for a frugal homemaker are nice, but they also raise our bar on spending. A new car means more insurance and gas. A new house is more insurance, larger heating bills and water bills. More always ends up costing more!.
Fixing something up to make it last another year as you save is not a bad thing. Instant gratification that comes with the touch of a phone app that delivers isn’t always good. Before you upgrade anything new purchase take a moment to pause. See if the furniture you have will last a little bit longer.
Use the Simple System
Simple works well. Why? Because key the time we have made all of the decisions that come with lack of preparation we are done. That means fast food for dinner and turning on the TV when we get home. Setting up time each day to fix dinner and have a family meal is important. A frugal homemaker meal doesn’t have to be fancy. Prepared foods are more expensive and recently I have begun to cook more from scratch. One the past few weeks it has become easier and easier.
I get it. When you get home you’re tired and it’s late. The kids’ have soccer practice in 30 minutes and fast food is just easy. Use a simple calendar system to keep track of what days to make grab and go meals. Having a hot meal every night isn’t easy, which is why when I cook it is a double batch to save for another day.
Saving money means looking and changing parts of your routine where you are spending. If you would like to receive more tips on frugal living sign up for my newsletter.
Schedules are helpful for the homeschool mom, especially with a bunch of kids. I found it interesting that you scheduled homeschool and naptimes before you scheduled meal times. I’ve always begun with our meals as those are set in stone in my household. Then nursing babies, homeschool and naps.
Thank you for sharing. It helps to see how other people schedule their days.
Add in working full time 50 hours a week. I can only dream of staying home, scheduling is a must for us.