Wow – how funny is it that I also do some of the same things mentioned here?
Girlie, I have been doing the same thing for several years. I take out x dollars every week (It helps we have an ATM for my bank right in my building) That’s my gas, grocery, laundry and other “stuff” money for the week. And whatever is left over, goes in an envelope. Sometimes its for fun, like taking on vacation or girl’s weekend away, sometimes if I have a few extra expenses in a week, I use it so I don’t have to go back and take out more. It seems to work pretty well, esp when I play the game of how much can I have left over? Between that, and dumping my change into a jar, I’ve had enough to pay for a lot of stuff!
Pixel dust, I DESPISE emptying the dishwasher, but one time I said enough is enough, and actually timed myself doing it. When I figured out it took me less than 3 minutes, it wasn’t so bad anymore. Same with straightening up my bathroom. I can put all the makeup back in the bag, stuff in the medicine cabinet, and fold and hang my towels nicely in under a minute. I’ve also done the “start my chores first thing” thing, because if I sit down, and turn on the tv, its all over!
I also tackle my cleaning and de-cluttering in 2 ways. I will either focus on one thing, like going through, shredding and organizing papers, then moving on to putting my clothes away, or focus on one thing, such as clearing off my coffee table, then moving on to the nightstand.
And guihong, I am totally an OosOom! I don’t use the crisper drawers in my fridge because they are dark brown, and I never remember that there’s anything IN them. In fact, I kind of recall putting something in there a while back, and don’t know if I ever took it out or used it! I don’t know why, but if I can’t seem something, it just doesn’t exist. Very frustrating, esp when people say “well, just try and remember it” But my brain doesn’t work that way.