As a mum, a breadwinner, and an all-around control freak, I get incredibly overwhelmed by everything that needs doing on a daily basis.
Don’t get me wrong, my husband cooks and cleans, but the amount of life admin I must attend to can often feel insurmountable.
When I get so totally overwhelmed that I can’t cope, I pick the most convenient way out, which is always the most expensive (takeaway meals, overpriced delivery options, etc.).
To stop this from happening, I’ve implemented some hard rules to reduce the number of decisions I have to make.
These four weird rules help me save time, reduce decision fatigue, and minimize overwhelm.
1. Make Coffee at Home, Unless
By making coffee at home, you avoid the time spent going to coffee shops, waiting in line, getting distracted and inadvertently buying a cake or muffin that you definitely don’t need.
You eliminate the daily decision of choosing where to buy coffee and what type to get, simplifying your morning routine.
I know it’s the most talked-about money-saving hack, but investing in a simple espresso machine so I could make my beloved flat white at home has saved me thousands of dollars.
There is one exception to this rule – I only make coffee at home unless I am having a cafe experience and get to sit at a table and enjoy my coffee in a real cup.
2. Sleep on Purchases Over $100
By waiting to make significant purchases, you reduce impulsive buying, often leading to time-consuming returns or buyer’s remorse.
Delaying the decision allows you to carefully consider if the purchase is necessary, thus avoiding the mental strain of making hasty decisions.
Taking time to reflect on larger purchases helps you prioritize your needs and wants, leading to more mindful spending and less financial stress.
Your limit doesn’t have to be $100; it could be any amount over $10 that needs to be slept on. The goal is to get rid of that awful feeling of buyers’ remorse.
3. Buy Second Hand as a Default
Pretty much every secondhand purchasing experience leaves me feeling good.
I’ve saved money, eliminated packaging waste going back to landfills, and usually got a high-quality product for the price of an inferior product purchased new.
That’s why my default for anything we need (or want) is to shop secondhand.
I usually check Facebook Marketplace first and op shops as and when I can.
Shopping second-hand means browsing fewer options than new items, which I see as a positive.
Limiting your choices to second-hand items reduces the decisions you must make, simplifying the purchasing process.
Embracing second-hand shopping as a default reduces the pressure to keep up with the latest trends, leading to a more relaxed and sustainable approach to purchasing.
The only things I won’t buy used are underwear and kids’ shoes. Everything else is fair game.
4. Eat the Same Thing Every Day
Sticking to a consistent meal plan saves time on meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking.
Preparing the same meals regularly allows for batch cooking and streamlined meal prep.
Deciding what to eat can be a significant source of daily decision-making stress (especially if you are a busy parent).
Eating the same meals eliminates the need to make daily food choices, thus conserving mental energy for other important decisions.
It might sound boring, but when you choose the meals you love, it really isn’t.
A rotating seven-day meal plan with the odd meal out or takeaway caters to most of our food needs.
Consistency in meals can bring a sense of routine and predictability, reducing the overwhelming feeling of constantly having to think about what to eat.
This can also help in managing dietary goals and nutritional intake more effectively.
These rules help me create a more structured, predictable daily routine, significantly enhancing my overall well-being because I feel less frazzled.
Implementing your own money rules can lead to a more efficient, less stressful, and financially mindful lifestyle . I highly recommend it.
