Top 'life admin' tasks Brits avoid doing - like decluttering their homes

08 August 2023 , 11:03

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Brits put off completing nearly 100 'life admin' tasks each year (Image: SWNS)

Some of the top “life admin” tasks Brits admit to putting off include decluttering their homes, updating their CV – and even making a will, research has found.

Other everyday tasks that adults avoid doing include registering with a GP practice, booking a dentist appointment, and car maintenance such as checking their oil or tyre pressures.

A survey of 2,000 people found that 79% procrastinate from what they deem to be “mundane” chores – and end up putting off nearly 100 pieces of “life admin” a year.

But despite this, they still find themselves spending an average of four hours and 45 minutes each week trying to complete things from their to-do list.

However, 12% admit they have had a task sat on their to-do list for nearly a year – and 28% have been stung financially by putting off a piece of admin for too long.

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These include forgetting to cancel a free trial and carrying on paying the subscription (41%), receiving a penalty for paying a bill too late (38%), and being charged an estimated energy bill after forgetting to submit meter readings (30%).

And 20% 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.

Top 'life admin' tasks Brits avoid doing - like decluttering their homes

But they still find themselves spending nearly five hours a week on these day-to-day chores (SWNS)

However, professional organiser Dilly Carter, from the BBC’s Sort Your Life Out, has shared some top tips to tick everything off your to-do-list.

She said: “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 who 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%) rarely get around to house maintenance, like cleaning gutters or DIY jobs, and 24% recognise they probably should make a will – but are yet to do so.

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One of the top tasks they put off is decluttering - including selling or recycling old clothes (Carlos Ciudad/Getty Images)

However, new technology helps 63% stay on top of their admin – with banking apps, phone reminders, and online calendars deemed the most helpful. And a further quarter (24%) 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%) 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: