So That Was April 2014...

Well that month flew by!  It seems like only last week I was sighing a relief at the end of the tax year whilst being resolute and positive that this year will be my best financial year ever!!

I think its possibly my longest run of daily posts, although I fell at the final hurdle of the last week because I just got too busy at work.

So here's a round up of April 2014

We had a returning Blog Sponsor in the form of The Lancashire Wine School and I blogged about my new obsession with a posh tipple

The Ten Minute Tasks got my home nearer a heavenly like standard of cleanliness with...

Cleaning the Washing Machine

Cleaning the Front Door

Cleaning the Bannisters

Cleaning the Can Cupboard

(I do actually realise how dull this makes me sound!) 

I gave my 12 year old a money challenge - and I've just noticed I've only published week 1's results.  I shall furiously tap away after this with the final result!!

April was the month I tried to adopt cooking the shopping as soon as I get it home!  See how I do that and save bags of time on this meal planning post.  Not to spoil the surprise or anything, but it worked really well so I did it again the following week, then had a freezer restock cooking day.

I've had some real rants this month including Stupid Things My Council Does and how I think free school breakfasts are completely wrong

Money related posts this month include How to Get Maximum Ebay Prices and Getting Your Money Making Mojo going.  The post about how to work out supermarket deals was a really popular one as was my Top 5 Thrifty Blogs.

I've joined quite a few linky's this month, A Day in The Life over at MummyPinkWellies and my post about Easter Activities where I suggest a day at a graveyard as a cheap day out for the kids!  (Seriously, just read it, it's better than it sounds!)

There's not been much crafting going on, just my using my Project Life binder for Meal Planning!  And I've only managed to post one Recipe for Gluten Free Meat and Potato Pie.

We've only had the one review this month as well, and it wasn't even for me!! It was Little Plums Little Yums.  Although I do eat them with a bit of Philly on and they are lovely. 

So that was April 2014!!  How did you find it?

My goals for May are as usual to save save save add add new income streams and as for the blog, as it is the 5th month, each post will be a How To with 5 crucial steps to success.  

Have a wonderful May 2014!!

Claire

Personalised Star Chart

Over the years of tantrums and tears, mainly mine, I have found an invaluable tool in getting the boys to toe the line and act more human and less caveman.  It's the star chart.

We've tried the naughty step.  We've tried the toy confiscation.  We've tried early bedtimes and mollycoddling and pretty much the only guaranteed method that works for all of us, is the Star Chart.

Kids are used to various forms of token winning and card charts at school and toe the line to get the hallowed Golden Time, the opportunity to play rather than work.  There is no reason why this can't work in the home too.

Set the Ground Rules

For this to work, establish the ground rules to avoid cried of "That's Unfair".  The most important thing here is that it is fair and your child is rewarded for doing as they should.  If you don't do what you say you will, they will never forget and the whole process is undermined.

So here's the rules

Stars are given by an Adult as a reward for good behaviour.

The child must colour in the stars when they have earned it (not mentally bank them stating this and that as a reason for earning a star)

Agree on a timescale when the goal reward will be given, I think at the next weekend is fair.

Follow Through - You promised it.  You need to let them have their reward.

Goal Setting

So why set a goal?  Motivation.  Simple as that.  If there is no reward, your child will lose interest and won't see the point.

Reward good behaviour in a way they can see the results and benefit from their good work and your child will soon turn effort into routine and habit.

You can download a template Star Chart in Word Format Here.  It can be personalised to your child's name and they can (or you for the young ones) write in their reward

Good luck and let me know how you go on!

Claire 

February 2014 Goals

So January wasn't the roaring success I'd hoped for as I acheived 1 out of 5 of my goals.

I honestly thought I would be able to achieve 5 things!!  Clearly not!!

So I'm less optimistic and more realistic this month with just 3 goals.

1.  To have lunches prepared the night before (yes I know this was a January goal, but I need to achieve it!) Last month this manifested itself as being school ready the night before and I am, except the packed lunch.

2.  To wipe round the bathroom on a daily basis  I don't actually do to bad at this one, I'm lax at weekends and I need to up it to a daily routine.

3.  To organise the Kitchen drawers over the course of the month. I did one yesterday.  I don't need 37 medicine spoons.  Its this kind of task that keeps me sane.  I have done the medicine cupboard and it is beautiful!!



Seriously, I need some encouragement here, so please leave a comment!!

January 2014 Goals - How Did I Do?

Remember back in January when I decided enough was enough on the disorganisation front?

My Determined to Achieve Goals Face

Well I  decided to set goals with the aim of making my life run more smoothly.

So did it work?  Did I stick to the goals?

Here's a reminder of what they were...and how I did

Here's my goals for January 2014

To make a meal plan for the month and stick to it

           I made a massive six week plan - and managed to stick to it for 4 days

To do one shop and a top up shop each week

          I avoided shopping at all costs - There was certainly a few top up shops

To be school ready before I go to bed each night

          This went quite well for a couple of weeks - then making the dinner was my downfall

To tidy everything away before I go to bed each night

          I think I did actually do this probably 5 nights out of 7

To iron the same day the clothes are washed

        Now this I DID DO!!!!!  Amazingly as I hate ironing with a passion.  Some loads got ironed the following day, but all laundry was washed, dried, ironed AND put away within 24 hours of it going in the washer!!! (So proud!!)

So I achieved one out of five really.  Not good enough and the last couple of weeks have been disorganised again.  Time to pull my socks up for February and try a realistic plan that I can achieve!!

 

Claire

 

PS - Are you still on track with your January goals?   Please let me know, I need hope that it can be done!!