Basic principles of proper household organization. About family planning

"Causes and Methods of War" (1) The Times February 4, 1902 Sir! Since the general public has shown such interest in the problem of disseminating my military essays in countries hitherto unfamiliar with the British position on this issue, allow me in your pages

"Causes and Methods of War" (2) The Times April 11, 1902 Dear Sir, Some time ago I promised the readers of your newspaper to give a fuller account of my attempts to acquaint the critical European public with the British position.

"Causes and Methods of War" (3) The Times June 5, 1902 Sir! The time has come when I can finally give a full account of our event and inform everyone who contributed money to our fund by subscription about how we used these funds and what we intend to do in the future.

Three cycles of civilization and three levels of warfare When we begin to examine documents concerning the theory of waging network wars - Network Warfare - we are faced with the fact that their description always begins with the periodization of the system of waging war in principle. It's very simple

Globalization as a form of network warfare The most important element of network strategies is the inclusion local networks into broader and global ones. The very fact of connecting the country’s economic, energy, information, and scientific resources to global networks

Economical, contrary to the popular saying that has gone down among the people since light hand well-known political figure, there should be not only and not so much the economy of the state, but the personal economy of each person and each family. This becomes especially obvious if you understand the terminology and find out that the ancient Greeks, who at one time coined the word “economy” itself, put two semantic components into it. Translated from ancient Greek, οἶκος means house, and νόμος means law, that is, economics is, in essence, the rules of housekeeping. Whether it’s at home or on a larger scale depends only on the circumstances. The principle remains unchanged: resources, regardless of their quantity, must be spent rationally and thriftily, in one word - effectively.

But modern realities make their own adjustments to any theories, regardless of their validity and fundamentality. And their mechanisms do not always work as intended, and sometimes do not work at all. For example, savings practically lose their meaning when inflation eats up everything accumulated. Or spending a smaller amount to buy one thing or another in long term turns into an unsatisfactory quality of this thing and entails only new expenses instead of the expected savings. In other words, life shows that you should not focus solely on clear rules and standards described in economics textbooks and home economics reference books. Much higher value Intuition and experience play a role, allowing you to navigate financial waves better than anything else and run your household economically.

Household saving rules
Each of us, deep down in our souls, is sure that we know how to save and increase our capital. And he even willingly gives advice to friends/neighbors/co-workers, and at the same time comments on economic processes in the state no worse than financial analysts. But when it comes down to it, that is, real life, there are many obstacles to the successful implementation of reasonable reasoning in life. Either a price increase, or a delay in wages, or some other Unexpected expenses... And so, instead of saving, we again get into debt and expenses, promising ourselves and others that next time we will definitely be smarter and more rational! Let’s better remember right now and analyze the rules that we are used to following in managing our personal and family budgets. To make sure they are useful. Or vice versa.

1. Recording income and expenses in writing. Making a list of necessary purchases for the month ahead and checking all expenses against this list. Surely you have heard such advice from older relatives and as a child you have more than once watched how dad or mom at the beginning of the month, having received a salary, sit down to make a list, surrounding themselves with a checkered notebook, a barn book, pens with red and blue ink and a pile of receipts for payment of utilities. Many people, ever since childhood, shudder at the need to do something like this and let accounting for the home budget take its course. Others, having matured, selflessly try for a while to follow the example of the older generation, but later also abandon this activity.
   In fact, compiling such lists is costly both in terms of time and effort. It brings certain benefits if you adhere to accounting in a disciplined and systematic manner, and allows you to clearly see what was, what was spent on, when and how it happened. This is precisely the information that can be so difficult to retain in your head and subsequently recall from memory. But the main thing in this mechanism is not the formal compilation of one or two lists, but maintaining a balance of income and expenses, that is, maintaining basic home accounting. Not everyone has enough time, patience and skill for this, and therefore the recommendation, which is basically good, remains a useless waste of time, and over time it is completely forgotten as unnecessary. But you can try using modern ones computer programs, which replaced barn books. Calculations are made automatically, and the information is securely stored and conveniently displayed in tables and graphs.
   
2. Avoiding unnecessary expenses and purchases, which you can easily do without. Same good advice for those who have iron willpower, whose reason always prevails over emotions and there is at least a bit of asceticism. For everyone else, this recommendation remains something akin to parents’ advice to eat less sweets and wash your hands before eating, that is, reasonable, but impossible to implement. The main difficulty here lies in strictly distinguishing between what is necessary and what is not so necessary. For example, in winter you can do without buying a swimsuit, because new gloves are much more relevant, and you can wear a bikini no earlier than six months later (then buy it). But an inner voice immediately whispers that “then” these bright rags will cost five times more than now, on sale. Therefore, the division into necessary/unnecessary is very conditional, and it can be realized only if you clearly understand all your needs and your family, including in advance. And for this, it won’t hurt to follow the previous point, the pros and cons of which we discussed in the paragraph above. Although, with regard to impulsive purchases, you can and should educate yourself so that every evening you are not surprised to find an empty wallet in your wallet, which seems to be quite plump in the morning.
   
3. Search for additional sources of income. This rule, perhaps, could be called the leader of the list and put it in first place. But we will leave it as the third point for one simple reason. Most of our compatriots are not sitting idle anyway, and some are already busy in more than one job. Therefore, they simply have neither the time nor the energy to search for additional income. A radical change in the type of activity, although it promises tempting prospects, but can result in a completely opposite result of the loss of existing stability. And therefore, many prefer not to take risks, but to be content with the established order of things and level of income. Although you shouldn’t refuse the opportunity to earn extra money. They can be dropped off by relatives, acquaintances and even random interlocutors. Sometimes it is precisely this unexpected help from fate that comes just in time. And in any case, unplanned, but not extra money can always be used according to the next rule in our list.
   
4. Regular procrastination a small but constant amount in reserve. A lot depends on how much money you can afford to save. If we are talking about a more or less significant amount, then opening a deposit bank account can really be considered a good way to insure yourself against a rainy day or save up for large purchase. But meager savings in the bank will bring almost imperceptible profit, and houses in the nightstand risk simply depreciating due to constant price increases and fluctuations exchange rates. In addition, there is also reverse rule, according to which money must be in motion so as not to stagnate and multiply. And even though there is a fair amount of esotericism in this approach, it cannot be denied justice. So the optimal tactic would be to create a nest egg based on your own capabilities, but not to elevate it to a cult and not to replace it with other ways to optimize the home economy.
   

How to save money on shopping and housekeeping
All this seems understandable in theory, especially after the most established myths about economical housekeeping have been debunked. But life rarely completely coincides with theory; it happens here and now, requiring quick decisions and their immediate implementation. Therefore, as the next steps in mastering the difficult but important business of economical housekeeping, we invite you to at least briefly (as far as the volume of the article allows) consider the most common situations in which we are usually required to have that very rational approach to expenses. And for ease of perception and, we hope, subsequent use, we will divide them into thematic sections:

1. Food. According to everyone sociological surveys and pyramids of needs - this is the first and most voluminous item of expenditure for every person. You can save on buying groceries, and even without much damage to the quality of food and the variety of your diet. You just need to know where, what and when it’s best to buy. For example, there is a category of products that do not spoil for a long time and which you can buy for future use and thereby save yourself from the risk of rising prices and from the need to spend a little from your daily or weekly budget on them each time. These products include pasta, cereals, flour, sugar, and salt. Economical or so-called “family” packages of such groceries are cheaper than small packages. The same goes for dry and canned pet food. Canned fish and meat, compotes, jams can also be classified in this category if your home has suitable conditions for storing them. Often small wholesale quantities are sold in special hypermarkets for private entrepreneurs, where tax is not added to the price of the goods. It makes sense to take advantage of this opportunity to purchase products for big family and/or for yourself for future use.
   Perishable products, which include meat, fish, dairy and dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits can be bought once a week at the market, where prices in the morning are usually lower than all week in a supermarket in the city center. If you have the opportunity to head early to the farmers market and load up your trunk with natural and fresh products, then such a purchase will not only cost you less, but will also bring a lot of pleasure and benefit from the products themselves. All food grown on local land by agricultural firms and state farms, as a rule, is of higher quality and cheaper than that brought from afar (at least you do not overpay for its transportation and storage). However, some vegetables can be stored in freezer even when their season ends and the price jumps. This applies mainly to peppers, carrots, onions, peas, zucchini, eggplants and other fruits that are dense enough to maintain their shape. Fruits (apples, pears, apricots, cherry plums) and berries (cherries, cherries, currants, cranberries) are also perfectly stored in a deep-frozen state.
   To avoid unnecessary expenses, do not go to the grocery store on an empty stomach and do not take children with you. It is best if you write a shopping list in advance and move from department to department according to this list, without being tempted by the appetizing smells from the confectionery and bread departments, which, by the way, are always deliberately located so that it is difficult to pass by them. It is difficult to explain to children why this time you are not planning to buy an extra chocolate bar, so in order to avoid whims and the risk of giving in to persuasion, it is better to just go grocery shopping without the kids. But this advice won’t help much if you yourself have a sweet tooth and can’t resist a kinder surprise with a Disney princess inside. And in general, remind yourself more often that the healthiest food consists of simple ingredients and minimal processing. And such products, as a rule, are cheaper than delicacies Food Industry. Unavailability proper nutrition is an ingrained and dangerous stereotype created by food brand marketers. Eating during fasting and on fasting (in terms of quality, not quantity of food) diets demonstrates this very clearly.
   
2. Cloth. The second largest (although for many fashionistas - the first) item of expense. Dressing stylishly and inexpensively is possible and necessary. First of all, that's what sales are for. Practical Europeans and Americans, for example, with the possible exception of celebrity millionaires, consider buying clothes from new collections to be an unreasonable extravagance and always wait for seasonal discounts. Stocks are also a storehouse of branded and inexpensive items that end up there immediately after updating the assortment in the boutique. Subscribe to the newsletter and/or create a regular customer card, and you will always be aware of new arrivals so you can buy your size. Secondly, qualitative clothes Western brands are now easily available for purchase online. Its price compares favorably with the store price, especially since not all inexpensive brands are represented in our country. Delivery is carried out all over the world and is often free or costs very symbolic money. If you are afraid to place an order yourself, there are hundreds of intermediary entrepreneurs at your service who are engaged in purchasing such items to order.
   Third, The best way not spending extra money on clothes means having good taste and a sense of style. Build a solid basic wardrobe based on classic pieces good quality, which do not go out of fashion, combining with each other in different combinations and fit perfectly on your figure. After this, it will be enough from time to time to buy missing and not very expensive accessories that will refresh your look and correspond to seasonal trends. When it comes to children's clothing, it is already considered in good form buy and/or exchange it on special auction sites. There you can also find toys, furniture and much more for your beloved children, who are quickly outgrowing their previous size. And, of course, custom tailoring never goes out of style. This is an expensive pleasure if you use the services of a tailor, and significant savings if you become your own tailor. This advice is not suitable for everyone, but if you have the gift and skills of cutting and sewing, then you definitely don’t have to worry about your wardrobe and wallet!
   
3. Life and utilities. Regarding the purchase of many household items, household chemicals, Supplies like light bulbs and matches, as well as napkins/towels, the same rules apply as for food: wholesale is cheaper and more profitable. In addition, please note that many large retail chains produce such products under their own brands and sell them much cheaper than third-party analogues. At the same time, the production capacity of a promoted brand and a private store label may be the same, but there is no markup for the name and resale. A shopping list compiled in advance also doesn’t hurt, especially since sometimes you can forget that you already have a supply of toilet paper at home, and accidentally add more when money is already tight. When paying at the checkout, use cash rather than bank cards. On the one hand, this way you won’t have to pay a commission, albeit a small one, to the bank. On the other hand, a specific amount in your wallet disciplines you and keeps you from making unnecessary purchases, unlike a universal credit card. Finally, do not neglect the opportunity to get a savings or discount card at the supermarket where you often shop. Even a 5% discount on total costs is a significant saving over time.
   Installation household meters water, gas and electricity pays off and allows you to save on paying for these services. Because the conditional standards of management companies can sometimes be three times higher than your real needs and costs. Especially when you leave home on a business trip or vacation. Not to mention central heating, for which bills arrive much more regularly than it is supplied to residential buildings. In the long term, many owners admit that installation autonomous system heating turns out to be a very profitable investment. But this advice will be relevant only for those who can afford to spend a significant amount at once and return it gradually over two to three years. But energy-saving lamps, although more expensive than conventional incandescent light bulbs, are affordable for almost everyone. They serve for a long time, and electrical energy They actually use many times less.
   
4. Entertainment belong to the category of not obligatory, but additional costs, so it is quite possible to save on them. It all depends on your habits and lifestyle. For some people, going to the cinema is already an event, while others feel deprived without a weekly nightclub binge. But in a general sense, we can say that you can save on movie showings through special “wholesale” screenings, when on weekend evenings three films are shown at once for the price of one ticket. Premiere shows are always more expensive than current ones. Morning ones are cheaper than evening ones. And, of course, a romantic dinner is much cheaper to prepare and eat at home than to order at a restaurant. Alternative option– ordering food at home. Even trendy and expensive Japanese and Italian cuisine, if delivered, is often 25-30 percent cheaper than at a restaurant table. Concerning entertainment events, concerts and exhibitions, then recently open airs have become very popular, which are much cheaper and more fun than indoor festivals. Also, inquire about special services in your city that provide discounts and flyers for attending various events. They often provide the opportunity to see and hear a lot of interesting things, if not completely free, then much cheaper than the standard entrance ticket price.
   
5. Holidays and travel– an important part of a full life, personal development and inner harmony. But it’s extremely expensive, and the further you go, the more so. You can save on travel in two ways: through transport and through housing. This topic is very broad and worthy of a separate article, so we’ll just give a few pointers. You can save on transport by purchasing tickets from low-cost airlines, and order them online and print them out e-ticket on one's own. The second option is to monitor seasonal offers and movements of charter flights, which can be significantly cheaper than basic fares. Instead of renting a hotel room, look for an inexpensive but comfortable hostel. These establishments are often located in the very center of the city, but are aimed at students and young travelers, so accommodation is inexpensive (cheaper than a hotel room or a separate apartment). Ready-made package offers from tour operators, as well as trips to multi-star hotels with an all-inclusive program, are always more expensive than independent travel along your own route without standard mass excursions. At the same time, they allow you to get much more impressions and memories than expensively lying in a comfortable sun lounger by a heated pool with a tenth calorie cocktail in your hand and boredom on your face. So the choice is yours and your budget, which you are willing to spend on your vacation.
   

Every woman thinks every day about the need to optimize management. But not everyone manages to choose the first time. optimal scheme cleaning and cooking, especially when it appears Small child. The first advice given in such cases is: formulate your rules for running a household. How to do this, read below.

Planning household chores

In order to keep up with everything and not forget about important meetings or actions, you need to create a simple and convenient plan. Planning things is the first step to achieving success, and it doesn’t matter what it concerns - at home or at work.

First of all, clearly formulate your rules for housekeeping, write them down in a diary or notebook and cross out each point of its implementation. This will ensure satisfaction with yourself and a boost of energy to complete other tasks.

It is necessary to write a plan in the evening, re-read it in the morning and begin to actively implement the plan. It is better to clean while listening to upbeat music. And things will go faster, and your mood will be high.

Maintaining a family budget

Reasonable budget allocation is the basis of rational housekeeping. There are a large number of techniques that help young families live from paycheck to paycheck and gradually create a financial cushion.

Budgeting is the biggest problem for newlyweds. Especially if their parents did everything for them before. Therefore, from the very beginning of your life together, formulate your rules for running a household.

Since a woman devotes a lot of time to home and family, it is she who must decide how it will be more convenient and correct for her to do housework. Not always best option found the first time, in most cases it takes a lot of time to find your rules.

Rules for purchasing food and cooking

In the kitchen, also be sure to formulate your rules for housekeeping; this will not only relieve your head, but will also significantly save the family budget. You need to go to the store with a grocery list. After the audit in kitchen drawers and in the refrigerator, a list is compiled of what needs to be purchased for normal nutrition throughout the week.

Don't waste your money on semi-finished products. It's better to buy natural products and on the weekend, make your own preparations for the future (for example, dumplings, dumplings, cutlets, pancakes, nuggets, vegetables for soup or borscht). This way, you will spend much less time preparing meals during the week.

It’s better to pre-compile a menu for a certain period of time, say, for the same 7 days, then you won’t have to think every day about what to cook for dinner or what to have for breakfast before work.

Housekeeping tips: cleaning rules by zone

Regardless of the area of ​​housing, it needs to be divided into separate ones. According to statistics, small rooms are more in need of proper zoning and effective cleaning. Space small apartments becomes cluttered faster and requires more time for daily and

Housekeeping is a skill bordering on art. Modern woman, balancing on the brink of work and home life, must make every effort to achieve success. Proper balance of power, saving, planning - these are the “pillars” on which the “career” of housewives rests.

Live within your means

Try to live within your means. Plan your expenses in advance. Of course, you can occasionally treat yourself to a delicacy or a vacation, but all these “excesses” should not go beyond the budget. If you are not the wife of a billionaire or oligarch, then most likely you are always short of money. Not because you earn little, but because you spend a lot.
Some tips for those who can’t get out of the local financial crisis:

• Be content with what you have. Don’t overwork yourself, don’t look for a second job, better learn to plan your expenses. Agree that if you add up your salary and your husband’s salary, you will get quite a substantial amount. Try to stay within the limits, not go beyond your capabilities, and there will be enough money for everything.
• Moderate your ardor regarding loans. Borrow only what you really need. If your refrigerator breaks down or washing machine, but there is no money, then, of course, you cannot do without a loan. But is it worth taking out a loan to replace your old TV model with a new one? Do not forget to pay off your debts on time so as not to lose solvency in the eyes of banks.

And most importantly: never take out two loans at the same time!

• Be skeptical about advertising. Remember that the main purpose of advertising is to get you to buy something. Advertisers and product manufacturers care deeply about you and your problems. They only think about their own profit. Don't let someone make money off of you. Be thoughtful and judicious when planning your purchases. The world produces many expensive and completely unnecessary things. You're not going to buy all these things, are you? If every trip to the store turns into a battle with yourself, send your husband shopping. Believe me: both marketers and merchandisers are powerless in front of a man with a list of necessary goods. Men very rarely buy unnecessary things.

Financial issue

In difficult economic conditions, the issue of family budget planning is especially acute. Strange things happen to money: it simply “floats” out of your hands. No matter how much money is brought into the house, they all disappear somewhere at jet speed. What to do? Meet for a family council and, together with your spouse, draw up a balance sheet in which you enter your income and expected expenses. Determine the amount you can spend per month on groceries, household chemicals, and clothes. Prioritize.

So, in first place we traditionally have purchasing essential goods. This category includes food and household chemicals. We remind you: products are not only candies and seafood, but also sugar, salt, and cereals. The “strategic” reserve should always be at hand. A good housewife never runs out of salt and sugar, because supplies are always replenished. The same applies to powder, bleach, and other household chemicals.

Next in importance is payment on loans(if you have them). Make the necessary payments first. Late payments will lead to loss of reputation among banks. What does loss of reputation mean in modern conditions? And the fact that at the most critical moment you may find yourself without money.

Is it necessary to spend money on entertainment and relaxation? Of course, but only in moderation. Plan your vacation on a budget. If you don’t have money for a “big trip”, go on a “small” one. That is, replace a holiday abroad or at sea with a trip to the nearest sanatorium. The same goes for entertainment. No money for a club? Take your child to the circus. This way you will save money and give your child a lot of fun.

Get rid of bad habits. Alcohol and smoking not only undermine health, but also create a huge hole in the budget. Don't let tobacco and alcohol manufacturers exploit you through your addiction.

Since you are not a slave at the stove or a hired housekeeper, you can safely distribute household responsibilities to your household members. Don't worry, they won't overexert themselves while dusting or washing dishes. Create a “work plan” and determine who should do what. Household responsibilities should be distributed according to three main guidelines:

1. According to individual preferences. Ask your loved ones what they want to do. What if some of them have a desire to go shopping or vacuum?
2. According to skills and abilities. Everything is clear here. It’s hardly worth forcing your child to cook borscht and your husband to iron the laundry.
3. By degree of usefulness. It is better for a child to be assigned tasks that will help him navigate his future adult life.

Traditional ideas about the distribution of household responsibilities are not without meaning. After all, you can’t fix the iron for your husband, so don’t ask him to do purely “female” tasks. Leave the washing, ironing, and sewing to yourself, and feel free to place the repair responsibilities on the courageous shoulders of your spouse. If he doesn't know how to do it, then let him learn. Or at least he will household appliances to a repair shop.

You can cook together or separately. The classic version looks like this: routine work The wife takes on the responsibility, while the man cooks rarely, but with high quality. Agree that there are dishes that your husband does better than you. If your loved one loves to cook, encourage him to experiment. If you work, then the routine will have to be divided into two. You can do everything one by one or determine the order of cooking by day: whoever comes first cooks dinner.

Cleaning should be spent together as a family. After all, you litter together, right? So clean it up together. Have your child vacuum and dust (no polish!). Let your husband take out the trash. Take on the difficult responsibility of tidying up the bathrooms (you shouldn’t insult your manhood by cleaning toilets) and washing the floors.

A few words about cleanliness

When cleaning residential premises: living room, bedroom, nursery, start by removing dust and cobwebs. Wipe windows, window sills, radiators. Don't forget to raise your head up and pay attention to the chandelier shades. Of course, the chandelier does not need to be washed daily; dirt from its surface must be removed as it accumulates. Then vacuum the carpets and wash the floors.

Wet cleaning can be done once or twice a week. Cleaning of things - daily. If all things are in their places, then the cleaning itself will not take much time.

Cleaning sanitary areas should be done as often as possible. It all depends on the number of people in the family, as well as the presence of children and pets. It is necessary to act according to this principle: the bathroom and toilet should always be clean! The slightest pollution is a threat to your health and the health of your loved ones. Therefore, the bath must be washed after each ablution. Each family member should do superficial cleaning of the toilet bowl with a brush themselves after visiting the toilet (with the exception of small children).

General cleaning of sanitary areas is carried out once or twice a week.

Motivation

If you involve your household members in doing household chores, do not forget to praise them. It won't cost you anything, but it will bring a lot of pleasure to your loved ones. Tell your spouse and child how much you can't do without them. Having learned about your talents in the field of cleaning and cooking, your loved ones will be happy to help you. And that’s exactly what you need, isn’t it?