Life Admin Hacks: The step-by-step guide to saving time and money, reducing the mental load and streamlining your life AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS 2022 FINALIST

Fire off a bunch of emails, texts or phone calls with suggestions to fill your month ahead with the right amount of activity for you. Be specific with your idea, date, time and venue, rather than offering a vague suggestion for a catch-up – people appreciate the thought and detail. Batching this task means you can set your schedule and enjoy the re

I’ve outsourced updating my CV, which was revelatory. They ensured it met the latest format and content standards, and saved me from hours of wordsmithing.

It’s buoying to have all these moments to look forward to during the year.

I had a monthly babysitter booked a year ahead so my partner and I could plan things and make bookings well in advance. This was incredibly convenient, both for us and the babysitter.

however, having people over is what I actually prefer. I like the cosiness and the fact that shoes are optional. Having people over used to mean a monthly dinner party or BBQ but now, ordering takeaway, cracking a bottle of red and chatting while the kids play is more my speed.

In terms of sharing the mental load with my partner and kids, our shared calendar has been the most effective life admin tool. I used to hold all the complicated logistics in my head and now everything is in the calendar. My stress levels are all the better for

We also use a window-cleaning service for the same reason. We have a two-storey home, and considering the safety issues and equipment required, this is a no-brainer. They also clean the gutters at the same time for a little extra cost. This takes another item off our home maintenance to-do list.

Meal planning, gardening and grocery shopping are in my calendar, and I book massage and chiropractic appointments for the whole year, along with dentist and hairdresser visits. This avoids having to interrupt the kids’ school day.

When our kids were smaller, I tried to keep things simple by organising catch-ups in the park or inviting people over for afternoon tea.