15 Minutes in My Frugal Life
Wondering how to share my 15 minute plan, I realized that my 15 minute cleaning sessions were definitely a part of my frugal life. Truth is, but for the need to be wise and careful with my finances, I would pay someone to clean my house. Please note I am not saying frugal people never hire cleaning help. This may even be a reason someone would choose to live frugally in other areas. Cleaning help is just not a part of my budget.
As one who likes a clean house, but not necessarily the process of getting it or keeping it that way (whichever one would be your perspective) finding the time and enthusiasm for this job can at times seem daunting. Thinking about this challenge, I remembered a book I read years ago which encouraged one to believe that if you set a timer for 15 minutes each day and worked quickly, you could keep your home in good order. Perhaps this would be true if you lived in a house where everyone took off their shoes when they entered your home, your house had concrete all around the perimeter, no animals came inside and everyone put things away where they belonged. This is not my life. I soon realized trying to keep my house clean in 15 minutes a day was not my solution.
However, the 15 minute idea gave me some fuel for thought. It is not difficult to stay focused and work quickly for 15 minutes. What if I broke down my responsibilities into a collection of 15 minute segments? I could even adjust this plan to adapt to the days I was able to be home most of the day and to those days I was not.
You know, it is working! I find myself accomplishing more and finding satisfaction from the process. It is not just cleaning that I divide into 15 minute segments. I have a host of catagories to choose from. Each day I pick several and then work each catagory for 15 minutes. (I'll be back, my timer just went off!)
Certainly I am not saying that there are not projects or jobs that need more concentrated time. Just that by breaking a multitude of tasks into 15 minute segments really helps me to stay on task and make progress in several areas. It also helps me to make a priority the areas that can easily be overlooked when living by the tyranny of the urgent. Along with my daily prayer and Bible reading, I want to spend time memorizing and meditating on scripture. By adding this to my list of 15 minute tasks, I find this heart's desire really happens!
On the days I use this strategy I make a list of the areas I want to tackle. This list differs by day depending on time and responsibilities. I might list in my calendar book the following:
cleaning
clutter control
ironing
deep cleaning
scripture
exercise
writing project
budget
I set my timer, go down the list and if time permits and I still have work to be accomplished in several of the areas, I go through the process again. What I like best is that this plan can be adapted easily. Yes, there are times if close to completion that I stay on task longer than 15 minutes, but most of the time I go to another area on my list. This idea has helped me to begin jobs that seem overwhelming and helps me in making decisions of what needs to be done. Clearly, being frugal is not just about conserving money; conserving time by being more productive and efficient is another way of cultivating frugality.
For those with helpers at home or those homeschooling with little ones, this can provide a plan that is easy to "flex" from. I am finding a collection of 15 minutes is keeping me on task and that always is a help to my frugal life.
For those who were so kind as to pray for our drought in Texas, we have had some rain and more is expected to come this week. We are very grateful to the Lord for His mercies!
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2 Responses to “15 Minutes in My Frugal Life”
October 25th, 2011 at 10:45 am
This is a great idea. I love using a 15 min. schedule when I’m having a hard time getting myself going, but I never thought of using it for different parts of my life like sewing, bible study. I’m definetely going to try this. Thanks.
October 26th, 2011 at 9:47 am
This post made me think of the Flylady ( http://flylady.net/ ). It’s a very good system for getting your home/ life in order.
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