tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617590846825685957.post6733381454852328150..comments2023-11-24T02:53:38.343-06:00Comments on The Path to Frugality: My Biggest Mistakes in Getting Organized & CleaningMarthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943812281623696381noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617590846825685957.post-19866831098169257712013-12-16T20:41:02.468-06:002013-12-16T20:41:02.468-06:00For many, many years I did a thorough seasonal cle...For many, many years I did a thorough seasonal cleaning like clockwork every six months, in March and September. Dusting walls, washing windows, blinds, and curtains. Cleaning three walls of book shelves, the china cabinet, etc.<br /><br />Now that I am older, plus have a retired/disabled husband at home all the time it is so much harder. What I used to do in about ten days while he was gone to work, now takes me a month, with constant interruptions for three meals a day and making his appointments, plus my volunteer work.<br /><br />Two years ago, I admitted that twice a year is just too much now. I do it once a year, in Sept. This gets us a nice fresh house for the holidays and enjoying the fall and winter, when we have more free time.<br /><br />My new habit is to use the free winter months after the holidays to do a few chosen projects that are hard, but quicker than seasonal cleaning, whatever is bothering me the most. Things such as cleaning out kitchen cabinets or especially troublesome closets. Weeding out books to donate to the library. I may start doing the pantry one shelf at a time and end up doing the whole thing. Cleaning out my desk and shredding things is another good project for winter.Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06625526746032032681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617590846825685957.post-46019614049810014742012-03-28T00:56:49.572-05:002012-03-28T00:56:49.572-05:00Thanks for all your advice! I too have fallen into...Thanks for all your advice! I too have fallen into the trap of spending money on organizing books or going to buy containers at the Container store before knowing what I need them for! One of your points that I especially find useful is to not try to organizing and clean at the same time. It's do simple but I guess I never thought about it hence it takes M's forever to get stuff done! Thx again! -AdeleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617590846825685957.post-58316449078545807842011-09-25T12:20:40.495-05:002011-09-25T12:20:40.495-05:00Small tugs up a big mountain.
Sft xSmall tugs up a big mountain.<br /><br />Sft xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17545087114808861192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617590846825685957.post-84927334289771704862011-09-23T19:01:20.320-05:002011-09-23T19:01:20.320-05:00Martha,
You are so right that we all have differen...Martha,<br />You are so right that we all have different styles of cleaning and housekeeping. When we try to adopt someone else's method, we often fail because it doesn't jive with our personality, style, and thought process. I think over the years I have adopted bits and pieces of others tips, but I have developed my own methods over time. For me, the worst is deep cleaning and doing cleaning of thinks like the baseboards, and dusting the tops of my china hutch. <br /><br />I constantly battle clutter. I don't know about anyone else, but mail, paperwork and everything like it multiplies like little bunnies overnight. I have to battle the piles one at a time. Others build up while others shrink. It is ongoing and I just do m y best to keep on top of things so they don't get to the overwhelming stage.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16924988248364848607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617590846825685957.post-57086487554136874172011-09-22T11:08:00.572-05:002011-09-22T11:08:00.572-05:00Great post! I agree with all your points..I just t...Great post! I agree with all your points..I just tend to forget about it when I'm in the middle of doing too much at one time :)Rainy Day Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06139202327960366363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-617590846825685957.post-87750098739778690432011-09-22T09:30:52.860-05:002011-09-22T09:30:52.860-05:00Martha, I've really enjoyed reading your blog ...Martha, I've really enjoyed reading your blog when I get time. <br />You are so right about the fact that there isn't one right way to clean or organize. You have to do what is right for you. I have been home in varying degrees for over 28yrs. and I have found that if you make or use a system that is to difficult to carry out you are setting yourself up for failure. <br />And always stay flexible with your cleaning schedule. I have changed my cleaning schedule many many times over the years. You have to change it as things in life change. When you have babies at home you clean differently than you when you have school aged kids in sports and your gone all the time, teenagers that are taking on more responsibilities, as a empty nester and as your volunteer schedule changes. And always remember, a clean house is never more important than time with your family.Dana Paper Memories4uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14101251061294607089noreply@blogger.com