28 lists you should have
28 lists you should have
1.A bucket list
Bucket lists capture those big things that we want to do. Writing it down can help us think about what we want to do in life and when. Whether it is going to Paris or travelling in an RV for six months.
2.A life list
A life list is different to a bucket list in that it contains smaller things that you want to do in life. For example, do a bread making course, eat at a particular restaurant.
A good way to use a life list is to look at it at the New Year and each month try to schedule something from the list in your diary to make your year more satisfying.
Click here for my Bucket and Life list with brain storm page in my ETSY store.
3.A Master Task list
A Master Task list captures tasks when they come up. See my blog post on using a Master Task List.
Click here for my free Master Task list PDF.
Reduce unnecessary spending with a ‘Want to buy list’.
4.Want to buy list
Having a list of things want to buy helps reduce unnecessary spending and focuses on what you need (or want).
5.Weekly to do list
This is a list of all the things you want to achieve in the week.
28 lists you should have. Includes links to some free downloads.
6.A daily to do list
This is a list to remind you of what you need to achieve for the day.
Click here for my daily planner on ETSY that has a to do list and schedule so you can time block the tasks.
7.A meal plan list
Weekly meal planning can help with the ‘what’s for dinner tonight’ questions!
A weekly meal plan list can help reduce decision fatigue, save money on groceries by buying only what you need, and reduce having takeout.
Click here for my free weekly dinner planner list.
8.Grocery shopping list
A grocery shopping list, particularly when linked to meal planning, helps ensure you get what you need and not things you do not need.
Anyone that has ever forgot the same thing at the store more than once (e.g. those lightbulbs!), would appreciate a grocery shopping list.
9.Use up list
A ‘use up list’ or an inventory list helps ensure that you use up what you have and nothing goes to waste. I put my ‘use up list’ on the side of the fridge near my dinner planner so I have reminded when I do my meal planning what I need to use up.
10.Food inventory
A food inventory list does not need to capture all the food you have but can be good for things like freezer food or stuff that might expire if you aren’t reminded of it.
I have found a ‘use up’ list and a ‘food inventory’ list helps with ensuring I use up what I have when doing meal planning.
11.A home cleaning list
Having a list of what needs to be done for cleaning your home makes the process more efficient and helps ensure you don’t forget anything.
Make cleaning as efficient as possible by having a checklist of things that need to be cleaned each week, month and year.
Click here for my free digital download 8 week chore tracker.
12.A home projects list
Have a place to put all those ideas or goals for your home. Whether it is getting a new shower curtain to make the bathroom look nicer or a new deck - put it all done so you can work out what things you want to focus on.
13.To declutter list
A decluttering list helps you work through your house in a manageable way to declutter area/space at a time.
Click here for my decluttering lists on my ETSY store.
14.Goals for the year
Ink it to think it to achieve it. Writing down your yearly goals or monthly goals into a list helps them be visible. This helps you think about what you need to do to achieve them.
Having a one page view of your yearly goals where you regularly see it can help remind you to make progress on your goals.
Click here for a yearly overview for your goals by month from my ETSY store.
15.Favorite quotes or bible verses
Having a list of favorite quotes or bible verses can help us when we need a burst of inspiration.
16.To read list
A list for books helps us think about what we want to read.
Whether it is the books you already own or the ones you want to borrow from your local library, a reading list reminds us of what we want to read (or reminds us of those books on our bookshelves we haven’t read yet!).
Click here for my Reading Tracker or here for my Monthly Reading Challenge templates in my ETSY store.
17.Expenditure tracking list
Work out what your spend your money by tracking your expenditure.
18.Birthdays and important dates
Make sure you reminder key birthdays - even if you lose your planner!
Click here for my free birthdays and important dates list.
19.Favorite recipes list
Make planning your meals easier with a list of your favorite meals.
20.Important regular medical checks ups list
Be proactive with your precious health by knowing when regular health checks are due like breast screening.
21.Password tracker
Having a password list of key applications securely stored at home can help if there are any problems with online password trackers or if you do not use an online tracker.
22.Things I love to do list
Having a list of the big and small things we love to do can give us inspiration when we need a bit of a pick me up. Whether it is a bath, coffee at your favorite cafe or sitting in the sun - this list helps you think of the goods things.
23.Meals to try
Having a list for recipes you want to try ensures that you use those lovely cook books or pinned meals you want to try.
24.Errands to run list
This list is about setting out what you want to do if you go to a particular place, say the mall or the next main town. I live in a rural town so when we go to the nearest main town I have always got my list of things I need to do.
25.Christmas gift list
It is never too early to write a Christmas giving list. Each year it seems like Christmas just sneaks up on me. Having a list also means you can shop the sales towards the end of the year (no one needs to know).
26.Postal addresses list
Keep a list of all those postal addresses.
27.Gratitude list
A list with things you are grateful for can help remind you of the good things in life.
28. Life admin day list
Make the most of any time set aside for a life admin day by capturing the tasks you want to do and making a schedule for the day.
See my blog on how to plan a life admin day.
Click here for my life admin day planner in my ETSY store.
What to do with all these lists?
Some lists you need to keep with you, such as Master Task List or weekly plan. Other lists could be put into a folder or in clear pocket folder so they can be easily accessed.
What I do is print off the list and I stick it into an A4 notebook. That way I know where they are and can easily access them.
Lists can help us manage life and make it better - but only if we refer to them.
In practice having 28 lists is a lot - so you should have the lists that match your season of life. For example, if you want to try meal planning, having a list of favorite recipes and recipes to try might make it easier.
