It’s a new year, you’re over the holidays and settled back into a normal routine. Remember all those miscellaneous household thoughts, chores and minor improvements you’ve been thinking about? IT’s OK to put off the big stuff… like the kitchen remodel or new addition…

But the minor fixes, repairs, funny stuff you’ve stared at for months, if not years. The touchups, the deep cleaning, that broken hinge, exterior maintenance. Stuff you can do, some things requiring an expert. But how can you keep track, and where do you even begin? "Honeydew" lists? Job jars?

Here are some handy ways to get started.

1. Make a list. I love 3x5 note cards, because they come in packs of 100, have lots of room to write (but not too much) and are sturdy. I use the white ones, but you can get the colored ones if you want.

Write one chore on each card. Don’t get hung up on if it’s complicated or easy. You can sort them all later, this is just a brainstorming session. Write down every weird thing that has been bugging you.

Hang that photograph. Fill in the holes from the old artwork and the mirror you had over the fireplace. Fix the hinge on the kitchen cabinet. Touch up the wall where the cat jumps up into the window. Clean out the hall closet.

2. Organize the cards. Make as many piles as you need… easy tasks for which you already have all the materials and tools… tasks that need some hardware and a little more effort… tasks that you cannot do. Painting tasks, plumbing tasks, organizing drawer tasks, cleaning… whatever makes sense to you.

Consider the tasks that need the same tools, such as things that need a hammer and nails. A loose deck board, hanging a picture, relocating a wall clock. Or things that require a drill and screws such as repairing a hinge and installing hooks in a closet.

By grouping tasks by tools, you can get many things done without emptying your garage of tools or taking up an entire weekend.

Or, if you have one task that needs an expert, consider adding related tasks that might not be as bothersome to you but still need to be done. I like to stay on top of all the funny things you’d need to fix or clean if you were to sell your house, even if you’re not selling it.

So if you call in an electrician to add one outlet, you might as well have some other electrical work done. Or, a locksmith, a plumber, a painter. A tile repair guy. You might be able to save some money, and you’ll certainly be able to cross a lot of stuff off your list, because most tradesmen have a minimum charge.

For example, I needed a gutter installed on my shed out back, so I called in a gutter guy. I had him add a new downspout and clean out some problematic downspouts while he was there. So, I got my money’s worth out of his minimum charge, and felt great about checking a whole bunch of things off my list at the same time.

4. For complicated tasks, jot down on that same card the tools and materials you’ll need, as well as the steps you’ll need to take. The card is your shopping list and it will help you plan ahead. The steps will become tasks in and of themselves, and you can tackle those one by one. Shopping, cleaning, demo, repair, cleanup. Now you’re done!

5. Prioritize the tasks. Pick out which stack or tasks (you can always organize the cards in many ways) are the most important to fix first.

6. Pick the easiest one first. That way you get something done fast and with little mess. Then perhaps you’ll be inspired to accomplish more without feeling overwhelmed.

7. Set a realistic limit. Make a goal for one task per week or weekend, based on your other commitments. For a complicated task, you may need to break it down one subtask per evening or whatever. We have a rule at our house… only one room at a time has tools in it. It’s too easy to tear stuff out, it’s much harder to put it all back together.

8. Cross stuff off the list. Make a big deal over getting rid of the card. Take a big fat marker and cross out the words. Tear up the card and recycle it. It’s fun to have a task so completely finished that you don’t even need a reminder!

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Photos courtesy of Elaine Bothe