Getting Started with a Box of Chores

A Box of Chores is an index box that holds a complete list of chores that you do, with the frequency you want them done. They are easy to arrange to fit your day, and can be designated to others with ease.

To make a chore box, you will need:

• Colored index cards or white cards and colored pens to write with.
• Dividers, numbering 1-30 and January-December.
• A,B,C dividers may also be handy.
• A recipe/index card box.

Set up cost is less than $10.


Choose a color to represent things you do for you, and then assign a color for daily chores, 2x a week/every other day chores, weekly chores and monthly chores.

• Write one chore per card, giving as much detail as you like on how to complete the chore.
• At the top of the card, write down how often to do the chore and how long it takes to complete the chore. --Don't guess! Take the time to time yourself. You may be surprised!
• Any chore that takes less than 10 minutes, mark as a mini chore.
• Any chore that is easy enough to do while on the phone, mark with an '!'.
• Any chore that can/should be designated to someone else in the household, mark with an 'X'. This makes it super simple to had out chores to the children... but that's another topic.
• At the bottom of the card mark 'Chore Skipped'. This is so you can pencil in the date of days when you have skipped doing that chore for what ever reason. I give myself two blanks, because any more than that is a disaster.

If you are unsure of what chores to list on your cards, keep a list of all the chores you do in the following week, while you are gathering your supplies. Take note of how often you do the job, and how often you would like the job to be done. Decide which color of card it belongs on, and write it down. Remember, things can change, and when they do, simply write a new card and through the old one out!
And remember, your cards need not be boring:

• My Chore Cards -- The chores that I do.
• Scrappy Recipe Box

My Cards

Daily Tasks:

• Make bed -- change pillow cases every other day Feed and water dog
• Make Breakfast
• 1st load of laundry -- our room, clothing, bedding, towels.
• 2nd load of laundry -- kids clothing, bedding, towels.
• 3rd load of laundry -- diapers, bedding or rags Pack husband's lunch.
• Fill his water bottles. Sweep and scrub entryway
• Clean main bathroom.
• Wash dishes
• Clear Kitchen counters completely
• Sweep kitchen and dining room
• Plan supper and next day's breakfast.Knit -- 15 minutes minimum
• Make Supper
• Take all trash out -Garbage pickup is Tuesday!
• Update Blogs
• Fold and put away large basket load of laundry
• (seasonally) Shovel walks
• (seasonally) Work in garden for 20 minutes

Twice a Week Tasks:

• Scrub kitchen and dining room
• Vacuum upstairs
• Re-tuck slip cover on couch
• Clean Laundry room
• Dust up and down stairs rooms
• Water plants, as needed
• Clean master bathroom

Weekly Tasks:

• Check and recharge batteries, as needed.
• Clean all toilets, showers and sinks with cleanser.
• Wash windows and mirrors
• Balance check book
• Pay bills and update books
• Dust fans and walls
• Polish appliances with Fuller wax spray
• Clean out refrigerator
• Update grocery list

Once a Month Tasks:

• Iron clothing
• Wash walls
• Vacuum furniture
• Review sewing and writing goals. Set new ones.

For Me:

• Bathe &brush teeth
• Get dressed -- clothes, hair and makeup
• brush and floss teeth
• Write for Hubpages, 1-5 articles/ week
• Rate articles at Helium -- 30/ month

Other:

• A grocery list of the things we always buy, staples, and sale items to look for. Once a week I add in items needed to make specific meals that we want to make.
• A list of writing goals for that month.
• A list of sewing goals for that month.
• List of clothing needed for each person.
• List of gift ideas for each person.
• A 'books, movies and music' wish list -- no fail ideas when some one asks, "So what so you want for your birthday?"