Brits put off almost 100 pieces of “life admin” each year, according to research.
A poll of 2,000 UK adults found more than one in 10 (12 per cent) have had a piece of life admin on their to-do list for almost a year.
Although they still spend nearly five hours a week completing day-to-day tasks.
It emerged almost eight in 10 (79 per cent) are known to put off mundane chores – 28 per cent of those have faced financial consequences because of this.
These include forgetting to cancel a free trial and carrying on paying the subscription (41 per cent), receiving a penalty for paying a bill too late (38 per cent) and being charged an estimated energy bill after forgetting to submit meter readings (30 per cent).
And 20 per cent of those who are responsible for checking their meter, keep delaying taking their energy readings as it’s too much effort – and easy to forget.
However, professional organiser Dilly Carter, from the BBC’s Sort Your Life Out shares some top tips to tick everything off your to-do-list.
“Half the problem with getting things crossed off your to-do list is finding the motivation to tackle it.
“If you feel overwhelmed by seeing the tasks piling up, whether it’s DIY, sorting insurance, sending in energy readings or getting rid of old clothes, try to prioritise what’s most important and start there.
“Ask yourself what will be the consequences of missing a certain deadline? If it will result in more stress, make sure that’s at the top of your list - the smaller tasks can wait.
“Try blocking time out of your diary dedicated to getting things done: think of it like scheduling in a gym class – commit to setting aside at least one hour a week, every week, to focus only on life admin.
“It can even be helpful to have an “adminfluencer” buddy to get through it together, someone whose to-do list game is strong and motivates you to whip yours into shape.”
The OnePoll research found the top task people put off is simply decluttering, and selling or recycling clothes that are no longer needed.
More than a third (37 per cent) rarely get around to house maintenance like cleaning gutters or DIY jobs.
And 24 per cent recognise they probably should make a will – but are yet to do so.
Although, new technology helps 63 per cent stay on top of their admin – banking apps, phone reminders and online calendars are the most helpful.
A further quarter (24 per cent) of those swear by their smart meter to help with their list of administrative chores.
Dilly Carter added: “Tech can be a really useful way to help you keep on top of things.
“It might be checking your spending with a banking app, using your phone to set reminders or keeping an eye on your energy costs with a smart meter.
“Smart meters send automatic meter readings to your energy supplier, meaning you don’t have to and you can tick that task off your to-do list forever.”
When Brits do get around to tackling their life admin, they estimate they spend as long as four and three-quarter hours on it, every week.
But more than half (51 per cent) have put off a job for so long they missed the deadline and ended up having to pay more on a bill or got stuck with a payment after a free trial ended.
Victoria Bacon, from Smart Energy GB, said: “We all live busy lives and it can be hard to find the time and energy to cross everything off our to-do list.
“It’s great to see that many people are using tech to reduce some of the burden and get those long-standing tasks done.
“It won’t cost you anything extra to get a smart meter from your energy supplier, and its in-home display provides the visibility to help you make small changes to save energy and manage household finances.”
Top life admin tasks Brits are putting off:
- Decluttering / selling or getting rid of clothes
- House maintenance like cleaning the gutters, mowing the lawn or DIY
- Booking a dentist’s appointment
- Making a will
- Updating your CV
- Car maintenance like checking tyre pressure / oil
- Renewing insurance
- Reviewing or cancelling subscriptions
- Renewing your passport
- Opening a savings account
- Booking holiday or travel tickets
- Phone contract renewal
- Checking your bank statement
- Managing your pensions
- Applying for insurance
- Paying a utility bill
- Filling out your tax return
- Applying for a passport
- Getting a smart meter installed
- Renewing your driver’s license
- Updating your address when you move home
- Gas safety check
- Paying council tax
- Signing up with a GP
- Buying the kids school uniform
