My everything binder. The brain.
I have different categories, these just happen to be the ones that work for me. I moved all of the financial papers into a different binder so that I don't need to worry about sensitive paperwork sitting out on the counter when there are people in our home. All of the pictures below are of blank pages so that our private info stays private. Besides, the forms I use look so much nicer before they are all written on. :)
Calendar
I love this monthly calendar from TomKat Studios. It is clean and fresh looking.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/46166642/2011-Full-Page-Calendar-TomKat-Studio
I use this one as an overview of the month.
I love this one for weekly calendars.
I also include the list of all the birthdays and anniversaries in a page protector.
Schedules
I am trying to keep any school stuff that comes in this section. I keep a 3-hole puncher and just punch and file right away so that the dreaded paper pile doesn't happen. I am also including stuff for Gymnastics, Dance and also Girl Scouts.
Cleaning
As far as I am concerned there is nothing better than the Motivated Moms cleaning plan. It is so great. I love that I have it here and at my finger tips whenever I need it. I printed off the whole years worth and just pull out the one for the week and keep it on the fridge where I can see it. I have a little button in my sidebar that you can click to take you right to the ordering page.
http://www.motivatedmoms.com/products.html
I have some lists for a big spring clean type situation that I keep in page protectors. There is one for every type of room in the house (bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, storage, etc). There are check boxes that I can just use a dry erase marker with and then wipe it down when I am done.
I have some lists for a big spring clean type situation that I keep in page protectors. There is one for every type of room in the house (bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, storage, etc). There are check boxes that I can just use a dry erase marker with and then wipe it down when I am done.
Meal Planning
I like keeping the past plans so that I can be inspired when I am at a loss as to what to put on the list. I am up to a 3 week plan now. I love knowing exactly what we are doing for awhile. I am not too stressed about keeping to it. I like to have a plan but if something comes up I don't mind doing a little adjusting. I have my blank shopping lists there too.
These inventories are awesome.
Shopping list.
I also have a cheat sheet that tells you how long things should/can be frozen for. I have found things in the very back too many times that I question.
These inventories are awesome.
Shopping list.
I also have a cheat sheet that tells you how long things should/can be frozen for. I have found things in the very back too many times that I question.
Finances
I have moved everything to a new binder now. I have a sheet that I am working on updating with all of the logins and passwords for different sites. Also, contact information for any/all insurance policies that we have, bank accounts, eventually a copy of our will and power of attorney will be in here too.
To Do
I have loved the Daily Docket from Simple Mom.
I also love the to do list from life...your way.
http://printables.yourway.net/home-management-notebook/daily-to-do-list/
http://printables.yourway.net/home-management-notebook/daily-to-do-list/
School
I am keeping things that are not schedule related here. The newsletters, the requests for things, reminders of different events at school, etc. Also a copy of the physical, vision, and dental forms that are needed for each kid for school.
Medical
Basically a list of appointments, the reasons that they went to the appointment, and the result of the appointment. I found out when we were sitting in the doctor's office every week with Jake that I needed to have a really good record of everything that had happened. It was horrible going back and trying to piece things in for the specialists that we saw. Also, I found that there was some faulty documentation in some of the files later. I think it is good to have a back up just in case something like that happens.
Contacts
Check out life...your way. I love these forms. They are really nifty and I love how they look. In case you hadn't noticed I am a huge fan of the minimal look.
Holidays
I have these forms that I use for different aspects of the holidays and birthdays. Honestly, I think that planning ahead is easier when you like what you are using. I love pulling things out to write on because the forms are so cute. Yes. Nerd alert. :) The forms I use for this are also from life...your way. I love that I have a list for gifts in there so if I think of something I can write it down. My memory is TERRIBLE!
I love that this can be ever evolving and changing. There are so many systems and planners that have worked for a season and then things change and suddenly what you have is obsolete. So, this has been the least frustrating way to keep things organized. The sky is the limit.
A few sites that have never failed to bring on inspiration are:
I really like to create forms that are specific to my needs as well so perusing the forms on other sites really helps me get inspired. Hopefully this has helped you a little. Either this is for you or it isn't. I happen to like seeing a book on the counter that holds my life. My biggest struggle with maintaining our home is the paper crisis that I feel is taking over my life. This is helping me fight the seemingly overwhelming situation.
This is a very cool binder. I'm sharing a link to this post with my readers.
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