Household Management Binder

Management Monday

I figured I would start my management section with a post about my system for managing all the things related to our home. I have read a lot of information on organizing websites and blogs about different techniques for keeping thing organized including tray systems, folders, and binders. I have always used binders as a way or organize my study materials for college classes as well as lesson plans and curriculum materials for my classroom.

So… I decided to make a household management binder to keep organized at home.

Binder Management: Household, Blog, & Christmas

I found many ideas on how to categorize and create a binder on websites and personal blogs, but my favorite has to be found on Organized Home.

I really like that they created downloadable forms for free. I love anything for free of course and the fact that hers are color coordinated and kinda cute really grabbed my interest. When I first saw how many categories and lists and forms they had created I was a little overwhelmed, but just had to remind myself that I didn’t have to use them all if they didn’t work for me. SO that’s what I did. I selected a few categories and downloaded the forms that I needed and created my own for any that were not available.

The categories I use are as follows:

Address Book: Includes birthdays and anniversaries as well as addresses

Cleaning: A weekly cleaning schedule and detailed cleaning list for each area of the home

Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Finances:

Calendar of when bills are due
Login information for bill     payment websites

Balance book-I found mine at Staples, just took the cover and binding off since it was already three hole punched and ready for this section of my binder

Keeping Track of Finances

Menu:

                Weekly Menu Planner

                Monthly Menu Planner

                Recipes

Vehicles:             

                Car Insurance Information

                Maintenance record

Websites:

                Login information for all the websites I subscribe to ( not bill related)

Medical:

                Order forms for mail order prescriptions

                Contact information for our doctors

Miscellaneous:

Right now- this section only has the list of books my book club selected for the month, as well as the list of books I own/want to own. (The titles highlighted in orange I already have).

Book Inventory

I am working on a section that will be used to organize my photographs. As soon as I got a digital camera I ended up with tons of files on my computer, and very few printed out. I want to print all my photos and put them in boxes to view, as well as put them on an external hard drive so I can store it in my “Emergency Box” (which I have yet to create) to grab in case of a fire or other disaster.

Future Project: Photo Checklist

This is a system that has really worked for me. I created this binder over a year ago and it has really streamlined how I manage my finances, paperwork, and other tidbits that go along with keeping house. What system do you use and how has it helped you become more organized?

Blog Focus

This blog will be focused on sharing ideas about teaching, housekeeping, crafting, and everything related. I plan on creating posts under specific categories. I am still working out the details but am leaning toward the following plan:

• Schedule posts for 4-5 days of the week
• Have a focused topic for specific days:
• Management Monday- topics discussing managing household tasks, organizing, daily schedules, school stuff, etc.
• Tools of the Trade Tuesday- I will present you with items I believe have made my life better and easier whether it is in the area of teaching, home, relationships, crafting, whatever. I will share my opinions and get the word out there in hopes that my discoveries (or discoveries others have shared with me) will help someone else.
• Whimsical Wednesday- Not quite sure what this category is going to focus on, but I can't have a blog with the word enchantment in the title without having a little whimsy. We'll see.
• Thoughtful Thursday- This is a place to share my thoughts and ideas on topics that come up each week at work or home that might be of interest to others. My goal here is to focus on ways to improve myself as a person, wife, woman, and friend. I think making a tangible effort to be a better person is something we don't talk enough about anymore- but was more of a focus for generations gone by.
• Fashion Friday- I am really excited about this category- I love all things beauty and fashion related and while my sense of style is by no means cutting edge- I love my clothes, wear what makes me happy and makes me feel good as a woman and professional. I plan on sharing some of my favorite outfits, accessories, and tips for looking professional while maintaining a sense of personality. I will also share the ways I organize and maintain my fashion related items.

This plan is by no means set in stone, and as I develop ideas and get comments from others, things will definitely change along the way. Let me know if you have any suggestions for Whimsical Wednesday... I have some sparks but nothing concrete.

Why Blog?

The main reasons I have decided to create a blog include:

• Hone my skills in online communication (I am working towards a degree in online teaching)
• Practice writing- something I love almost as much as reading
• Focus my time, energy, and thoughts on the positive elements in my life- there have been many moments when it seems as if almost everywhere I turn- the news, my co-workers, my family- I see and hear things that cause me to stress and worry
• Share the things that bring delight and enchantment to my life in hopes of encouraging those things in someone else's life
• Reclaim a sense of joy and wonderment that has dwindled as the years have passed
• Get ideas, advice, and inspiration from others who are interested in the same things as me
• Make an effort to spend more time being creative, crafty, and generally just making messes
• Find ways to be much less serious and not be so hard on myself

Hopefully by sharing these with others, working through some of these goals and purposes, I might just accomplish what I have set out to do.

It should be an interesting and maybe even an enchanting ride!