Prepping Our Home for a New School Year

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Today I am sharing 6 tips on how I prep our home for the new school year. I’d love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment.

Homemaking Schedule

I have had a homemaking schedule for years. With the ebbs and flows of life, I still find myself coming back to it. Prepping our home for a new school year definitely feels welcoming after the chaos of gardening, fishing days, bike rides and all the summer fun that leaves the homemaking a little to the wayside. I have a whole series here on the blog about my different days of homemaking (kitchen day, office day, laundry day, cleaning day, and errand day). This helps me keep up on our home and keeps the daily focus to one “task.”

School Supplies

Since we homeschool, making sure I have a few fresh activites for the littles (non-school aged) is always welcoming. Theo (he’s 4) has specifically asked for me to get him his own workbooks so I will be sure to pick one up and/or a new dry erase activity book. Prepping for school is an absolutely essential.

I try to get our read aloud books from Thriftbooks! Buying second hand with books really ads up to savings. Many of the books I’ve bought from Thriftbooks have actually came from libraries. They have a back to school promo right now too — check it out here!

Some of our favorite read alouds have included: Anne of Green Gables, the Lighthouse series (early reader), Greenglass House, Little House on the Prairie, A Wrinkle in Time, The Tale of Despereaux, Narnia Series– just to name a few!

Decide on a Planner-Style That Works For You

The planner systems and corresponding planners are endless, but it’s important to know how your mind works. Personally– I’m a list maker — my husband and kids have all been trained if they don’t tell me they ran out of xyz or didn’t write it on my list, then it doesn’t get bought. I have a dry erase board in the kitchen that I write activities, appointments, and holidays. I keep a menu plan handy on the fridge. It’s how my brain works and helps keep me organized and a huge part in keeping prepped and ahead our time/schedule/food etc.

My current two forms of planner are a small Stenograph notebook and my blank Planner Perfect Journals. The stenograph notebook is to write down temporary lists (like groceries) that I can rip out as I go. Not only are the Planner Perfect journals beautiful, I like to get them blank on the inside so I can use it as I want without it being dated. For instance I didn’t use it this summer — but as school planning and routines starting back up it helps me stay organized– all in one place! My current favorite pen is the Sharpie pen. Using a traveler’s notebook lets me keep all my book in one place — a monthly book, prayer book, and an idea/inspiration/notetaking book.

Want to order yourself a beautiful journal? Check out Planner Perfect and get 15% off your order through my link!

Menu Planning

I decided to do something different with our menu. I wrote out a list of options for breakfast and lunch; for dinner I have 6 “themed” meal ideas which can vary from week to week. I have already implemented this system for the last two weeks and it has simplified both meal “planning” (dinners only!) and has made grocery shopping a breeze! I highly recommend you trying a version of this! I created a printable for YOU to use also — you can sign up HERE or click the photo below. Print it off, fill it out, use some fun washi tape to tack on the fridge for everyone to see. (I don’t schedule specific days for each meal)

Simplify Getting Ready

I already have my favorite go-to hairstyles, but I do browse pinterest every once in awhile to get some inspiration to try out. And then I add them to a hair “rotation.”

I get my clothes out the night before — encouraging the kids to do this is very helpful in the mornings, even though we homeschool 😉

I’m pretty minimalist when it comes to makeup– I use 90 percent of the items in my makeup bag every.day. I switched most of my makeup to Beautycounter after becoming a consultant because of their high EWG ratings and the makeup ingredients also nourish your skin! If you would like to browse makeup click here . There currently is a 20% coupon code for new customers: CLEANFORALL20 .

I also offer FREE Skincare & Makeup Consultations — if you want to find out more about the products right for YOUR skin!

Let’s Save Money

Okay, I know the last 18 months the pandemic has opened up even more options to online shopping and ordering – but are you saving money while you place those orders? Don’t forget using online shopping can really help you prep your home for the school year- less time running around, in and out of stores!

FETCH REWARDS – I really like this one because I simply need to scan my receipt and it uploads my points; I don’t need to go through every item and click what I purchased like other apps I have used in the past (hello, simplified!). I save up points and cash for a giftcard for some sort as a treat to myself – but absolutely could use it towards your next shopping trip!
* Use the code CT4JX to sign up and you will get an extra 2,000 points when you scan your 1st receipt.
Rakuten – this one is a NO brainer — there is an app, but I use it on my desktop. If I’m making a Target order, or Christmas shopping I DEFINETELY USE Rakuten. Log in and select the store you want to shop at and it opens in a new tab, do your shopping and get a designated % back into your account. They pay out quarterly and I have it deposited into my Paypal account. Every 1% adds up!
** as of this posting if you sign up and make a $30 purchase — you’ll get $30 put into your account!!!!
Credit Card – hear me out — I use an clothing store credit card to make my normal monthly purchases like, groceries, gas, out to eat, etc on this designated credit card and I pay it off after purchases have cleared – normally every two weeks — it keeps me in budget and honest with myself about my spending. Those normal household purchases add up in rewards and when it’s time purchase clothes I use the rewards I have earned!