2022 Declutter & Organize Your Life

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Nov 11, 2022 7:43:09 GMT -5 finnime said:

Rukh O'Rorke , if I were you I'd both invest in a robotic vac/mop and look again for another cleaning service. That's more $$ than I'd be willing to pay for a less than stellar job. JMHO

thanks, I've sent one request out to someone I think I contacted before with no reply. I had so many cleaners and and even agencies never get back to me when looking into booking them.

And then i remembered it is almost thanksgiving! Probably lots of people desparate for extra help, so i think I'll send out a few inquiries but not put to much time into it. Took me about 40-60 hours to get all settled and hooked up with this one!

Then I will put more effort in the new year, when everyone with special requests will be stopping service.

[moneysquirrel]

Trying to catch up with reading and will probably forget a comment or two that I thought of earlier.


TheOtherMe -- I think that since you enjoy the family research so much that you made a wise decision in renewing your subscription.  Also as to the cardboard -- is there a school nearby that might be able to use it for art classes?


startsmart -- Wishing healing and good wishes for your mom's recovery.  Take care of yourself during this time as well.


Iggy aka IG  - I just gave a friend several pairs of jeans that she will upcycle into new items. 


Rukh O'Rorke -- As to Christmas -- I love the holiday and do put out a lot of things that I have collected over the years.  A lot of my items are things that I got when I traveled and several were given to me by family members now deceased. I also made several of the crocheted snowflakes and bells. A few items came from students as well.  For me decorating at Christmas is a trip down memery lane. 

debthaven -- You must be almost finished with the bulk of the grading as you count down to the end of the semester.

Knee Deep in Water Chloe -- I am sure that once you finish with your writing and defending your research that a huge load will be lifted from your shoulders.  You are almost there and the first semester at the new job is almost done as well.  It will be nice when you can stop in and "sit and visit" again.

I have been pretty busy.  Since my last post we have participated in two craft shows and still have three more before Christmas.  I am doing ok with my inventory -- may have some items that I need to remake.  A lot of my items are one of a kind and I cannot redo them even if I wanted but some of my holiday items I do make duplicates of.  I will start on those later this weekend and hope to get at least one and hopefully two done before next weekend. And I have all of the supplies on hand for them so I don't have to go out this weekend.

This morning I made a dent in the Thanksgiving prep as I was able to get quite a few items I would need on my grocery run this morning.  With the projected shortage of turkeys I wanted to find a small one if I could and one of the stores had them at a good price so he is now in my freezer for the duration.  I will need at least one or more trips to the grocery before the big day but the bulk of the prepping is done.  

Think a nap is calling my name but I am trying to fight it.

[seriousthistime]

I got a frozen Butterball all-natural boneless turkey breast roast at Costco. Since there are only 3 of us eating it, it should be plenty.  And I don't like facing the carcass in the fridge for days. 

The Halloween candy is almost gone.    It has taken up residence on my waist and hips.     

[Iggy aka IG]

moneysquirrel good to see you!  That is great news about the jeans upcycling.

Glad to report my friend's co-worker is interested in the clothing.  I'll also add a few shirts and the scarf mentioned in my prior post.  It sounds like her coworker doesn't drive and/or has transportation so this personal donation makes me feel even better.  

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Ok guys, I think I am living in crazy town right now.

I did do a little more outreach for cleaning and found one with good reviews on yelp regarding level of detail, so reached out for a quote.

Initial Standard Cleaning $520
Initial Deep Cleaning $650
Weekly after Initial Cleaning $235

I considered asking for more details maybe refine quote, but then just said thanks not in my budget now will keep you in mind.

This is for well under 2000sf. Maybe about 16-1700 of cleaning. They exclude closets, no organizing or moving things, just the wiping and scrubbing.

Guess I’ll just accept doing 1-2 hours of post cleaner work to get up to standard, and start saving for the robo vac/mop. iRobot has a new combo unit that does both.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Who can pay these prices???

[TheOtherMe]

Nov 11, 2022 15:15:56 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Nov 11, 2022 7:43:09 GMT -5 finnime said:

Rukh O'Rorke , if I were you I'd both invest in a robotic vac/mop and look again for another cleaning service. That's more $$ than I'd be willing to pay for a less than stellar job. JMHO

thanks, I've sent one request out to someone I think I contacted before with no reply. I had so many cleaners and and even agencies never get back to me when looking into booking them.

And then i remembered it is almost thanksgiving! Probably lots of people desparate for extra help, so i think I'll send out a few inquiries but not put to much time into it. Took me about 40-60 hours to get all settled and hooked up with this one!

Then I will put more effort in the new year, when everyone with special requests will be stopping service.

When my cleaners were here this week, they said they were inundated with people wanting one time cleans for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Some both before and after.  She said they will not be able to handle all of them and their regular clients.  

[TheOtherMe]

Nov 11, 2022 16:00:46 GMT -5 moneysquirrel said:

TheOtherMe -- I think that since you enjoy the family research so much that you made a wise decision in renewing your subscription.  Also as to the cardboard -- is there a school nearby that might be able to use it for art classes?

I will buy the Ancestry subscription on Black Friday when it's 50% off as a gift to myself. That is the lowest price of the year.

I can check with the local elementary school on the boxes.  I have no idea if they would be interested.

[moneysquirrel]

TheOtherMe -- All the school can say is no and then you are no worse off than before with dealing with the cardboard.  With the holidays coming they might be having programs where they need to make set pieces and/or props for plays, etc. 

[finnime]

Wow, Rukh O'Rorke, those prices have me stunned.

[debthaven]

Wow Rukh O'Rorke . I agree w TheOtherMe that they are probably inundated before the holidays and so are jacking up their prices because of that (probably hoping people find them to be too expensive and willing to suck it up for those who don't).

I’d keep your current people for now and revisit the question in January after the holidays. Maybe skip a week or two if you need to because of the price...

Glad all is well moneysquirrel ! This is my last written assignment before the final exams!

How is your mom doing startsmart ?

I'm so glad you've decided to renew your subscription TheOtherMe ! It obviously gives you a lot of joy. 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Nov 11, 2022 19:10:33 GMT -5 finnime said:

Wow, Rukh O'Rorke, those prices have me stunned.

Really! Who knew? Questioning my life choices for sure right now!!

Not really, I do take some non financial satisfaction in my education and career….but the run up in prices for house cleaning is just so difficult for me to comprehend!

My raises have not kept pace with inflation, and I’m willing to take more of a loss on outsourcing, but this is too much for me. I guess I’m comparing to my hourly rate, but not thinking about all my pto and benefits….

But I still can’t justify paying this….im having a hard time with $180/week.

I’ll keep on with current and then reassess when im completely decluttered….

But meanwhile….

Need some painting done quickly. What kind of prices there? Maybe I should try to do it myself?

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Rukh O'Rorke, we just moved, and I went from paying $20/hour with me providing supplies to paying $40/hour with the cleaner providing supplies. I was living in a LCOLA and am now in a MCOLA. How many hours is the $235 and does it include cleaning supplies?

For painting, in late May, we paid $7500 to have the majority of our interior downstairs painted--about 1800sf. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I've not accomplished much of my list today because I fell asleep. I took a 2.5 hour nap! Shows how tired I am I suppose. I will still go to bed at the same time too. Sheesh. 

[Sharon]

I'm still working on getting the pastures mowed.  I get about 2 hours of daylight after work to work on that project.  I let the grass get way too long.  The back pasture is basically mowed, there are a few spots where I can't get the riding mower in that will need to done using the weed wacker.  I'm hoping tomorrow I can get the side pasture done, it is much smaller.  Because the grass got so long I will need to rake and get the cut grass up or it will kill what is below it.  That may be Sunday's project. 

Work has been very high stress lately and I'm finding that getting out in the cold air later afternoon and working is actually good at reducing the stress.

[TheOtherMe]

Nov 11, 2022 19:55:02 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Nov 11, 2022 19:10:33 GMT -5 finnime said:

Wow, Rukh O'Rorke , those prices have me stunned.

Really! Who knew? Questioning my life choices for sure right now!!

Not really, I do take some non financial satisfaction in my education and career….but the run up in prices for house cleaning is just so difficult for me to comprehend!

My raises have not kept pace with inflation, and I’m willing to take more of a loss on outsourcing, but this is too much for me. I guess I’m comparing to my hourly rate, but not thinking about all my pto and benefits….

But I still can’t justify paying this….im having a hard time with $180/week.

I’ll keep on with current and then reassess when im completely decluttered….

But meanwhile….

Need some painting done quickly. What kind of prices there? Maybe I should try to do it myself?

I live in a rural LCOLA.  

The people that I became unhappy with because they didn't show up even close to on time and the cleaning got to where it didn't even fit my standards was costing me $85 per month.  I can't afford to have someone come in weekly.  I do the bathroom and kitchen so it doesn't get too bad.

The people I have now are charge $120 if I pay cash and $130 if I pay be check.  I'm biting my teeth and paying cash.  That is for once a month.  I did not have them come while in the middle of the bathroom renovation.  

The construction clean up was $150.  She had told me it could go to $200 or higher, so I was pleasantly surprised.

Now we go back to once a month.

I don't hire anyone who doesn't bring their own supplies.

After the shower door goes in, I need the bathroom painted.  I can't find anyone who doesn't want to paint the entire house.  I can't move the furniture so I don't want the entire house painted.  

[finnime]

You might have more success getting a handyman to paint just the bathroom, TheOtherMe.

I had the entire interior of this house, including closets, painted a few months ago. It cost $6000 for almost 1400 sq feet. It also took a crew of 3-4 men working all day for 3 days to finish. They did the trim, the walls and ceilings and the exterior doors, too.

[CCL]

Nov 11, 2022 17:58:48 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Who can pay these prices???

Not me!

[debthaven]

This weekend
- mark 34 papers/Fri+Sat 
- send language certificate/Sat

We bought a big box of bulbs in the UK, so we want to get some of them planted.

Otherwise the plan is a quiet weekend watching The Crown before another very busy work week. (It's the week/month I do an extra day for my colleague on maternity leave.)

[TheOtherMe]

Nov 12, 2022 3:08:53 GMT -5 finnime said:

You might have more success getting a handyman to paint just the bathroom, TheOtherMe .

I had the entire interior of this house, including closets, painted a few months ago. It cost $6000 for almost 1400 sq feet. It also took a crew of 3-4 men working all day for 3 days to finish. They did the trim, the walls and ceilings and the exterior doors, too.

I have no idea of how to find a handyman.  

[debthaven]

I'd ask your cleaners and/or your organizer if they know anyone TheOtherMe . 

[Sharon]

TheOtherMe can you contact a local paint store and see if they know of anyone who is willing to do a small job like that.  Sometimes people who work on crews doing that for a living will also some side work for extra income.  The store may know someone who will do that.

[moneysquirrel]

Re: Cleaning -- I pay $125 and supply the items.  They come once a month and I do on occasion skip a month.  At first they came every four weeks but that added an additional cleaning a year; by switching to once a month I can handle it. I know that I can skip a month here or there as necessary.  I also do quite a bit between visits but they handle the heavy stuff and the things I don't see or forget to do.  

This morning got off to a late start because I slept late.  It was a busy week and I didn't sleep well a night or two so I gave myself grace to sleep in this morning.  It is a rainy icky day so a good day to strip the beds and get the linens done as well as a second load of others. So currently one in the washer and other in the dryer.  Also was in the mood for veggie soup so that is currently going as well.  Managed to get some of the chopped items out of the freezer and other items were also on hand -- a definite win. When I get off the computer I will mop the kitchen because spills and drips. And hope to put on a game for background noise and get some beading done.

Til later.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

On my own again today. I slept about nine hours out of the ten I was in bed last night--about the same for Thursday night. Between those two nights and the nap, I'm feeling better. I don't think I actually realized how exhausted I was. I miss my husband, but it's been a good four days of solitary resting.


I just spent 30 minutes cleaning up the laundry room. We've had a lot of kitchen work done, and the dust had migrated in there. The cleaning girl (she's about 20yo, so I'm calling her a girl )  did most of the clean-up in the kitchen. However, I just discovered she didn't clean the top of the fridge. I don't think she realizes there's stuff up high; she's missed stuff above eye level before when dusting. I need to give the feedback to the cleaning company owner. 

I have lots on today's list--some of it left over from yesterday due to my napping. 
There's also people here doing landscaping. We have an already-fenced-off, not-really developed section that we're turning into cutting beds.  

[debthaven]

We pay 75/week for a 3h weekly cleaning, including social charges (like taxes). I admit it's a luxury.  

Knee Deep in Water Chloe sounds like you really needed the sleep! You too moneysquirrel ! :-)

DH realized the other day he left his credit card in the old car, so we went to the car dealer to pick it up. We went grocery shopping on the way home. 

I am no longer feeling completely overwhelmed, probably because I'm caught up with laundry and marking. I'm enjoying the feeling while it lasts. 

[TheOtherMe]

For me, having a cleaner once a month is a necessity.

Once the shower door is installed, I will call the paint store.  I can ask the cleaners when they are next here

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Nov 11, 2022 21:38:16 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

Rukh O'Rorke , we just moved, and I went from paying $20/hour with me providing supplies to paying $40/hour with the cleaner providing supplies. I was living in a LCOLA and am now in a MCOLA. How many hours is the $235 and does it include cleaning supplies?

For painting, in late May, we paid $7500 to have the majority of our interior downstairs painted--about 1800sf. 

Were these agency (where you would tip?) or independent (independent I only tipped at EOY - like 2-3 weeks pay) not sure if that is etiquette?

I used to provide supplies with the old cleaning person, all the ones I've had since pandemic bring their own. Currently one including the vacuum.

for the current super pricey quote, initial cleaning included wiping baseboards and ceiling fans, interior windows, stove top detailed (whatever that means), extra time in bathroom 20 minutes (but what do they do with that 20?) initial deep clean includes steam clean and disinfected of interior oven & fridge, bathroom tile and grout and Jacuzzi nozzle.... these are all add on services after initial at 40-65 each service, then windows are $5 peice for the inside only.

then for this pricey one I'm like - maybe it is fantastic cleaning....maybe I can afford it....but if the cost is 235 then I'm suppose to tip at least 40 i think...then we are at 300 week.

the 180 now is 150 charge and 30 tip.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Nov 12, 2022 3:08:53 GMT -5 finnime said:

You might have more success getting a handyman to paint just the bathroom, TheOtherMe .

I had the entire interior of this house, including closets, painted a few months ago. It cost $6000 for almost 1400 sq feet. It also took a crew of 3-4 men working all day for 3 days to finish. They did the trim, the walls and ceilings and the exterior doors, too.

wow! that's 2k a day!! 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Maybe I am turning into my parents....everything seems incredibly overpriced!

but I do think the tables have turned on manual vs professional labor. manual labor seems so expensive these days.

[stillmovingforward]

I live in a MCOL area next to a HCOL and I pay $120 every week. Two ladies come for 1.5 to 2 hours. They bring their own stuff. At the beginning, they verified that I approved of what they would use (and I did as its all low volatiles and safe stuff). They do not want me to supply anything. Not even the vacuum or garbage can liners. My dogs are allowed to be in the house and they just work around them (I have a HUGE Pitbull mix and an aussie). They do an amazing job but I think part of the reason is that coming every week, they can keep up instead of doing just deep cleaning. It works for me though. I have the money and I need to break.
One of them owns the business and the other is her sister. They are bonded and everything. 

Edited to add: DH always leaves before they show up. He says that no young minority woman needs to worry about an older white male in the house. He goes down and has coffee at the cafe.