I’ve been working on a Home Organization Binder since I saw the one Erin created. I thought this would help me keep everything together. As a wife and mom and now working with Braylabee’s I’m on a constant search for balance in my life. So far, the notebook has helped a good bit, I feel more in control and our house is clean. I’ll take it!
Today, Erin has where you can look at other notebooks and perhaps get a few ideas.
So I started on my binder last week and thankfully Erin had already culled the printables and has a great list of sources in her post.
I ordered this cute pink binder from Amazon. It’s a 1″ binder but I could probably stand to go a little bigger. I’ll be on the hunt for a 1 1/2″ next time I’m at Office Max.
I picked up the other essentials at Wal-Mart. Sharpie pens, zipper pouch, sheet protectors, dividers and a folder. I also put a calculator in since our budget sheets are in here now.
At the beginning I put a monthly calendar in a sheet protector. It’s helpful to have this so I can just glance at it when making plans. It’ll also be helpful to Allen. Of course, I’ll use my Erin Condren planner and just transfer important dates to this calendar each month.
The dividers I included are:
- Daily Checklist
- Menu Planning
- Weekly Chores
- Blog
- Braylen
- Coupons
- Budget
- Vacation
Next up, Menu Planning. I’ve been using this template for several months now and I really love it. If there is anything I try to always have together it would be meals. Have I mentioned that I love food?
Behind the Menu Planner printable I use a page protector and pull the recipes from my recipe binder and put them in the sheet protector at the beginning of the week. This way, all of the recipes are handy when I need them each evening.
I also included this Favorite Recipes printable. Once I actually write some of our favorite recipes I’ll be able to reference this list when I’m searching for something to cook.
I also included this pantry checklist that I am very excited to use. I always find myself purchasing duplicate items at the grocery store and I’m hoping this will help. I’ll simply make an inventory of the things in the pantry and then check them off as we use them. I know it will take some time in the beginning but once its completed I feel like it will be a huge help.
I printed out several copies of the Weekly Chores Schedule for the Weekly Chores section. When I was working I figured out that doing a few rooms a day really cut down on the amount of housework I was doing on the weekend. Plus, it holds me accountable for the housework every day.
In the Notes section at the bottom I wrote down one extra thing I’ll do each week. This week was de-cluttering our master bathroom closet. It could be anything from cleaning out a closet to wiping down baseboards to packing up the clothes Braylen has grown out of.
I absolutely love that Erin included a blog section and I chose to include the same section and use the same printable. I always think of different things to blog about and then finally get time to sit down and blog and nothing comes to me. This will help keep me on track, plus I can add little notes of things I want to mention in the post.
Braylen’s section is blank note paper. I’ll write down things she does for her monthly posts or things I need to ask her pediatrician.
The coupons section just has a sheet protector for me to slide the coupons that come in the mail that I plan to use. I always forget about these or they get mixed in with the bills and when I pull them out they’ve already expired. Now I can just check this section of the binder before I leave to see if I have coupons to my favorite stores.
I put this folder in the back for things that don’t have a place, per se. For example, there’s a 31 catalog in there right now for a party I’m having next month.
So, what’s in your notebook? Have you made one? Do you feel like it helps keep you organized and on top of everything?
Sources for Printables:
Organized Home
The Project Girl
Frugal Living
Other Sources:
Blue Eyed Bride: Home Organization Notebook
A Bowl Full Of Lemons: Home Management Binder
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I love your notebook! I’ve been wanting to make one for a while now!
I love your notebook! This whole project is so inspiring! I think we’re finally ready to move our budget to the notebook. Gotta get on that! 🙂
I’m visiting from Blue Eyed Bride’s link up. Your notebook looks great! I am getting ready to start my notebook and I’m so excited to see what everyone is including in their notebook. Thanks for sharing!
I love your notebook! Now I just need to make my own just like it!! Thanks for the helpful and inspiring post!!
XOXO
Love yours! I cleaned out our pantry/freezer this week and used the stockpile list you used. Its absolutely perfect!
Mine is similar. I would love to see which budget sheets you use. I tried making my own, but they’re not that great.
love it! i need to jump on this bandwagon of organization! I have an Erin Condren planner on the way, but a notebook with budgets, daily to-do’s, etc sounds very useful!
I am loving your notebook! I tried to put one together about 4 1/2 years ago right after Rob was born and it gathered an inch of dust! In the time since, I have learned to live with (and cannot live without!) my purse-sized planner, so I may have to revisit the idea of a home notebook again.
By the way, your photog skills are getting so wonderful!
Loving your notebook. Thanks for sharing your’s! This is what I need in my life…I need to take the plunge! It is hard to balance being a wife, a mommy and everything else in between!
I love the notebook, it’s so Organised! I always have ambitions of doing something like this, but I know that I will have it all set up, but then never get around to actually using it!
I love your notebook!!! I ordered the erin condren LP and it should arrive next week, but I think I may add in a book like this too. Found you on BEB….you have a beautiful daughter!
love it but i’m obsessed with my outlook and iphone calendar. they’re linked and if something’s not in there…it ain’t happening
Stopping in from B.E.B.! Love your notebook! And your blog is so lovely too!
LOVE this! Good job! I still need to make one!
I love your notebook! You have totally inspired me to get organized! In fact, I’m going to go make mine right now 🙂
Your notebook is great! I am working on completing my Home Organization Notebook. Where did you find the Blog printable? That would help me get back into the grove with my blog! Thanks!
Thanks for sharing, this is such good inspiration! With our second baby on the way in 4.5 weeks it’s high time I get my act together! Also, I’d love to see your budget sheets if you’d be willing to share the template!
First of all I would like to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing. I’ve had a difficult
time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out there. I truly do enjoy writing but it just seems like the
first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted just trying to figure out how to begin.
Any suggestions or tips? Many thanks!
Oh goodness, I still waste those first few minutes. I used to get distracted during this time and open emails but I find I can be more productive if I just sit and write from beginning to end. I always lose focus when I try to do anything else. Just push through 🙂