Automation - Personal Life

[Ironwulfsbane]

Okay everyone, I've been racking my brains over this one and can't seem to puzzle it out.

When i get started doing something, I like to either finish it or at least make a great deal of progress in it before moving on to something else. This fits in just lovely with the teachings in 4HWW. Unfortunately, there are some tasks which this just isn't possible for.

For my dreaded example, I give you that terror of time wasters, that killer of the clock, LAUNDRY!

Oh how I hate it. I have a washer and dryer in my apartment, but I keep starting the laundry, moving on to something else, then forgetting about it entirely. I thought as part of an exercise in automating tasks, I would bring this to the forum.

In simple terms, here's the query. I need a simple, easy to use laundry automation system for myself. It must take no more than one (bear in mind I am just one person, no family to wash for), and it must not add any additional cost (I'm a poor college guy, I survive on Ramen for heaven's sakes).

[kamakiri]

Not gonna happen bud.

Well, I take that back...You can send away for a mail order bride from the 1950's. They are cheap, don't eat much and do the laundry.

Seriously though. If you don't have the discipline to get your own laundry done, you will never make it in the 4HWW lifestyle.

[JFrenzel]

True, furthermore if you are making the extra income than you will be able to afford a laundry service company.


Cheers

Jose

Ps In the meantime, DO YOUR LAUNDRY AND DONT COMPLAIN ABOUT IT!!!!!

[nghs22]

I actually enjoy doing it. It is relaxing to me.

[Ironwulfsbane]

Well apparently I'm an undisciplined misogynist who has no clue about 4HWW. Really, I appreciate the utter lack of help here.

I was NOT suggesting I don't have the discipline to do my own laundry. Like I said, this was an EXERCISE in developing systems. So if anyone has anything USEFUL to say, like, oh, I don't know, maybe suggesting a reminder system of some kind, please feel free to comment. If you have anything other than that to say, please, keep it to yourself. No one needs your negativity.

[nghs22]

here's a reminder system....

when your hamper gets full it is time to do your laundry. When the buzzer goes off it's time to switch them over....repeat

[kamakiri]

I was NOT suggesting I don't have the discipline to do my own laundry.....

No, you weren't suggesting it. You flat out stated you DID NOT have the discipline to get your own laundry done.

I have a reminder system for you as well: When you run out of clean socks, do the laundry.

[Sven]

I'm affraid I agree with the other replies here.

Taking care of the home can be anoying. But you have to be able to focus your energy on productive issues. The only real option here is to focus on what IS productive.

Having said that, focussing on you own problems may actually lead to very good solutions. And it can also be a very productive learning curve. So when everyone is screaming NOOOOOOOO! at you, you may actually need to do it.

But be aware, 99.9% of the time the NOOOOOOO! screamers are right.

I'm an inventor and as most inventors I have "wasted" a lot of time in persueing useless solutions for problems that do not exist in the minds of others. It has never made me money but I have learned so much about mechanics and making stuff that I now know that it wasn't a waste of time. But I now have a set of skills that is so rare that I still find it hard to actually make money with it.

Do what you like, make sure to enjoy what you do, listen to what others have to say. Choose your path wisely.

[dking]

Maybe you need to learn to outsource tasks to others in your life?

After all you dont have to pay money to get others to do your laundry, you just need to barter.

[froldt]

Ironwulfsbane,
I lived in the dorms last year, and it was very easy to forget about the laundry, as the machines were in the basement and I lived on the third floor. The best solution that I came up with was this:

carry laundry and detergent down to basement (I used laundry bags, as I could just throw them in the wash with the clothes and I couldn't forget to bring them down later when I needed them).
Start wash, set alarm on cell phone (which I kept with me at all times).
Go about business.

When the alarm goes off:
Grab one softener sheet for each load being washed from room
Move laundry from washer to dryer and start dryer
Set alarm on cell phone
Go about business

When the alarm goes off:
Put laundry into laundry bags
Carry up to bedroom
Fold and put away laundry


This system enabled me to get my laundry done in about two hours, total, while I only spent about 25 minutes working on it. (It would have been less if I didn't have to go up three flights of stairs every time.)

Hope this helps you out!

[nghs22]

At least you got some exercise :)

[ephigy]

I like the idea of bartering. If there's someone you know who needs a skill your happen to possess or a service you can provide, it might be an interesting bartering opportunity.

[kamakiri]

It might be too late to save this thread, but here is an article that came across my google reader yesterday from the Pick the Brain Blog: How to Find Motivation for the Things you Hate Doing (http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/how-to-find-motivation-for-the-things-you-hate-doing/).

[SelfDefenseSource]

that could make a great ebook and bring in some $$$ from lazy laundry-ers! :D

[The_Cynic]

A lot of coin laundries have a "by the pound" service where they will wash, dry and fold your clothes.

A simple trip through the yellow pages, compare some rates, give a test and problem solved. Unless you finances don't allow for that, then you are stuck doing it yourself. Or try the barter thing.

[dking]

Like I said, use barter. A woman that I date and I have an agreement; maybe you should do the same.