It can often be overwhelming for a woman to take care of her responsibilities — all at the same time. While the primary key is to divide and conquer often involving other members of the house as well, there should always be a personal planner to keep things sorted. Saving up, taking care of yourself and taking out time for personal space are aspects that can only be achieved if there is a roster in place, and here are some tips to get started...
Weekly planning and budgeting
Maintain a planner Unsplash
Make it a habit and plan at the beginning of the week. Keep a journal dedicated only towards financial expenditures and savings. Log and breakup the financial responsibilities under headers, like household shopping, personal care, fuel, car servicing, AC servicing, conveyance, emergency fund, veterinary care, gas booking, medicines etc. If you have monthly medical tests, include that in the planner and keep a designated fund aside. If you are keeping hard cash for each expense, label and keep in one place. And most importantly, always keep a provision for unforeseen expenses, saving some under the miscellaneous tab.
‘Me time’ every day
Sitting with a warm cuppa by the window with your personal journal is good for the mind Unsplash
Be it 30 minutes of yoga at the beginning of the day, sitting with a warm cuppa by the window with your personal journal, taking a walk, watering your plants, painting, strumming the guitar or reading a book — make some time for yourself every day and do what you like. Even if it is an oil massage, foot bath or putting on a face mask — it is not an indulgence but a form of self love. Start something from the wishlist and keep at it every day. It is crucial to give yourself the time and space you deserve.
Batch cook to save time
Make a chart for your weekly meals too Unsplash
Like planning the foreseeable finances, make a chart for your weekly meals too. Not only does it help cut extra expenditures, batch cooking saves a lot of time as well. Jar meals, smoothies, overnight bowls, salads, grilled and baked food items can be mixed and matched to make interesting whole meals. You can boil vegetables, chicken and eggs, make essential spice pastes like onion-ginger-garlic, green chilli, cumin and coriander and keep in airtight containers to save meal prep time. Invest in storage containers, like covered and sectioned plates, glass jars and equipment like food processors to store well and chop better and faster.
Making a weekly roster for must dos and health checks
Create reminders on your phone and tick off one chore at a time Unsplash
Keep the to-do list short and focus only on things that will leave an impact on your life, if left unattended. For example, taking care of the laundry, stocking up on supplies, cleaning the bathroom etc. Create reminders on your phone and tick off one chore at a time. Include self mammograms in the weekly to-do list and unfailingly do so for health safety measures. Add regular medicines in the roster and create alarms on the phone. After all, health is wealth.
Set up a self-care fund and plan
Save and invest in long and short term financial returns, just for yourself Unsplash
Save up for yourself and invest in long- and short-term financial returns and benefits. Medical insurance, life insurance, annual whole body check-ups, regular check ups with your gynecologist are important and should not be missed. Invest in good mutual funds and be well versed with the various financial plans that offer tax benefits. If you want to put money into real estate, do the market research well before you go for it. The feeling of achievement is unparalleled.
