Life Admin
Daily time commit:
5 minutes +
Keep on top of things
A little time each day goes a long way
From sorting out the household insurance to the MOT to the school dinner fees, as well as making sure you are getting the best value on those white goods purchases and organising family social events, there is always Life Admin to do.
Spend 5 minutes + each day working down your Life Admin to-do list to cross off this area of The Framework, and, above all, keep on top of things.
To that end, see below for a non-exhaustive suggested Life Admin task list.
Life Admin Task List
| Category | Life Admin task | What | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | Driving licence | Renew your photocard every 10 years until you are 70 after which renew the licence every 3 years | The date on your licence |
| Car | Car insurance | Check for best value | 1 month before renewal date |
| Car | Car service | Arrange your car service | Car and mileage dependant |
| Car | MOT | Arrange your MOT | Annually |
| Car | Breakdown cover | Check for best value | 3 weeks before renewal |
| Children | Childcare Account | Reconfirm the details on your gov.uk childcare account | Every 3 months |
| Children | School fees | Pay for any school fees, including school dinners and trips | As required |
| Children | Childcare | Find, and complete application forms for, schools, scholarships, after-school activities, childcare, holiday clubs, etc | As required |
| Holidays | UK EHIC or UK GHIC | Apply for the free health insurance card to access medically necessary state-provided healthcare in certain countries | 6 months before expiry date |
| Home | Building & Content insurance | Check for best value | 1-3 months before renewal date |
| Home | Declutter | Clear any clutter by selling or giving away unwanted/unused items | As required |
| Home | Mortgage | Check for best value | 3-6 months before current deal ends |
| Home | Boiler check | Arrange your annual boiler service | Annually |
| Home | R&M | Arrange, or carry out, any repairs and maintenance needed to your home | As required |
| Home | Furniture | Purchase any new or replacement furniture, including white goods, checking for best value | As required |
| Home | Gas & Electricity | Check for best value | 1 month before renewal date |
| Home | Broadband | Check for best value | 1 month before renewal date |
| Home | Mobile phone | Check for best value | 1 month before renewal date |
| Home | Issues | Calling or emailing the customer helpline for issues with any products or services | As required |
| Home | Paperwork | Review and dispose of any old paperwork or upload and save a digital copy | Annually |
| Money | Tax Return | 31st Jan | |
| Money | Benefits | Check that you are not missing out on anything you are entitled to | Annually |
| Money | Bank interest | Check that you have a top-paying savings account | Annually |
| Money | Budget forecast | Update budget tracker and forecast to keep on top of finances | Monthly |
| Money | Direct Debits | Set up direct debits or standing orders for all of your regular bills, e.g. council tax, water rates, etc | As required |
| Money | Direct Debits | Check and cancel any direct debits or standing orders set up on your account that are no longer required | Annually |
| Money | Subscriptions | Review all of your subscriptions. Cancel any that you haven't used in the last year & check for best value on the others | Annually |
| Money | Income protection insurance | Review your income protection insurance is adequate and check for best value | Annually |
| Money | Will | Arrange a will, or review and update your existing will | Every 5 years |
| Pets | Pet insurance | Check for best value | Annually |
| Pets | Vaccinations | Arrange vaccinations with the vet | Annually |
| Self-care | Hairdressers/Barbers | Book appointment | Every 3 months |
| Self-care | Opticians | Arrange check-up and follow up appointments as required | Every 2 years |
| Self-care | Dentist | Arrange check-up and follow up appointments as required | Annually |
| Self-care | GP | Arrange appointments as needed e.g. vaccines, smear tests, check-ups, etc | As required |
| Self-care | Holiday | Book a holiday and arrange holiday insurance, checking for best value | As required |
| Self-care | Personal items | Purchase any personal items needed e.g. clothes, checking for best value | As required |
| Social | Social events | Arrange any social events, including cards, presents, catering, etc as appropriate | As required |
| Social | Keeping in touch | Responding to personal emails, text messages, IM's, etc | As required |
| Work | Salary | Benchmark your salary to understand if you are being paid appropriately for your skillset | Annually |
| Work | Professional subscriptions | Pay for your professional subscriptions and do the required CPD | Annually |
Securing your Future
It is unquestionably difficult to focus on self-fulfilment until you have met your basic needs. Basic needs such as shelter, warmth, and food.
Make control over your finances your Life Admin priority, to be sure that you can meet your basic needs. Once you are in control financially, it will afford you the space to focus on activities that help you feel fulfilled.
Budget
Budgeting is undoubtedly essential to maintaining financial stability.
Therefore, understand your cash inflows (income) and outflows (expenses) across the year.
The inflows should exceed the outflows, but if not, take the following steps: 1. Bills and 2. Work.
1. Bills
Where the cash outflows exceed the inflows, firstly, look at which non-essential outflows you can cut. Is there a cheaper supermarket? Could you use anything listed on Freecycle?
If the cash outflows are all essential but still exceed the inflows, then check your benefit entitlement and any help that is available from your local council.
2. Work
And finally, if you can work, understand which skills you are missing from taking the next step up at work.
Plan to master these skills and, most important, progress your plan.
Once mastered, step up, to increase your cash inflows accordingly.
Budget Planner and Cash Flow
Download this free and simple template budget planner and cash flow, to help you keep track of your income & expenses and consequently maintain control over your finances. If you have any questions on how to use this free tool, by all means get in touch via the “Get In Touch” button below.
WHAT IS TOP OF YOUR LIFE ADMIN CALENDAR?
Get in touch to let us know or to ask us any questions
