Low-key tools to stay organised, ERE-style?

[Blake28]

Hey,

Bit of a random one, I’ve been looking at ways to stay a bit more on top of things (expenses, routines, projects etc) without drifting too far from the ERE mindset. Not trying to optimise life into oblivion, just avoid chaos.
Found this site that lists a bunch of software options, with decent comparisons and alternative picks (some are open-source, some free, some lighter versions of bloated stuff). Seems alright, but not sure how much that kind of thing fits around here.
Anyone here actually use tools like that, or is it mostly spreadsheets, notebooks and just knowing your stuff? Not looking to get tied into cloud nonsense, just curious what others lean on without overcomplicating.

Cheers.

[sky]

I use an phone calendar to remind me of things like trash pickup, mow lawn, clean tabletops, pay bills, check accounts, fill tires with air (I have a leaky tire), trim hair, birthdays, appointments.

I use a legal pad on a clipboard for larger projects with many steps. I currently do not have a large project going.

I use a spiral notebook to list monthly things to do on one page. I also take notes of various small projects and things of interest in the notebook. I write down the things I want to buy on one page per month, sometimes I buy them, sometimes I find other solutions and don't buy them.

I use a small pocket spiral notebook for daily things to do, shopping lists, phone numbers, reminders, etc.

Post it pads and pencils are available in various places around the house to temporarily write down important thoughts or things which can later be thrown away.

[basuragomi]

Physical and phone-equivalent notepads for short-term stuff, anything I deem important gets moved to a Tiddlywiki. When I was working/studying full-time, each job would get its own notepad and Tiddlywiki. Calendar phone application for scheduling reminders. Financial stuff is done through several spreadsheets.

[bookworm]

I do "bujo" method using generic moleskine notebooks. Task lists, calendar, and study notes go in the same place. For online stuff, I've been using Obsidian for a while as well taking advantage of the daily note and search feature rather than higher structured in the paper journal. Spreadsheets (Libreoffice) are used for financial tracking and some life organization.

[Jean]

I used toremember everything, but at some point i started to write things down, which regularly leads to double booking because i didn't check my calendar. I need to go back to the old ways, it was more reliable, less hasle, and probably better for my long term mental ability.

[chenda]

I use a filofax. You can change the diary section each year but the other sections remain, where I store useful information. Password reminders, books I want to read, present ideas, fitness goals, plots for world domination etc.

[jacob]

Spreadsheets, post-it notes, and knowing/remembering my stuff.

I want to avoid outsourcing my thinking or replacing it with a product. This also means that my spreadsheets are homebrewed.

[chenda]

Oh yes I'm also a big fan of post-it notes. I usually have one on my desk for a to-do list.