So, those of you that have known me for any time at all know that organization is NOT my best strength. Call that a product of years of neglect, or never really getting the hang of it. I am notoriously "last minute." I have the hardest time keeping up with things, and it makes for chaos when I need to find something, plan something, execute something. I've heard all of the jokes or sayings "Poor planning promotes p_____-poor performance," or "Poor planning on your part does not equal an emergency on my part." I have lived in what feels like a constant state of "SNAFU," or "situation normal...all ______-ed up." (Yep, I'm a military wife....)
As my house has be undergoing some transformation, I've been brainstorming on getting my day-to-day stuff together. Every "organizing" class I've been to, or every organizing blog I've read says to "Get yourself a notebook." Some have called it a "binder." So, I did. Here's what's in it, and what it looks like!
Front cover: "The EVERYTHING Book" The title, as well as the contents, so everyone knows what's in there. That way, if we have someone staying with us, they kind of know what's going on, too!
In the front pocket of my binder goes all of our contacts: rosters, business cards, etc. (No picture, just for privacy's sake. My friends are grateful, I'm sure.)
I got inserts with tabs and pockets that are clear, just so I can see what's in the folder, and I don't have to take things out to see them. The first (Blue) insert has our master weekly planner. I write everything in there...gym time, activities. I also write our finalized menu for each day. The master menu planner is coming up...
The backside of this insert are the family calendars, like the class schedule for the Y.
The purple insert is Little 1s folder. His weekly newsletter from his teacher goes in there, along with any other "keep" papers. Now, anything outside of regular school activities gets written on the master weekly planner in the blue insert.
The backside of the purple insert is Little 1s school menu.
Little 2s school info goes into the orange insert. Again, anything unusual goes onto the master weekly calendar.
The green insert has our basic shopping list in it. I made a list of things I buy frequently, and put them onto a printable document. If I don't need an item, I can just scratch it out. I also included blanks in each category, plus a bunch of space for extras. Notice the big white space on the top right, just for "jotting down" needed items.
The back of the green insert has our menu planner, which is just a monthly calendar where I write our dinner plans, and lunch options.
The yellow insert is our monthly basic budget plan, for quick access. The "big" budget stuff (more detailed) goes into a expandable file with a section for each month. After the month is done, the basic budget stuff goes in there, as well.
The 2nd purple insert has store coupons in it, ex: Michaels or Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
The 2nd orange insert has dining coupons in it. All those "Val-Pack" coupons and pizza mailers.
The back pocket of the binder has our dining out/order in menus.
For the back cover, I put my weekly cleaning schedule. It also has our daily, bi-weekly, and monthly chores.
I realized while putting this blog entry together that ALL of this stuff....Yes, ALL....was on our fridge. Either clipped or held up with magnets, which means stuff was falling all the time and was buried. The important stuff, too! Ugh! Now, the fridge is designated for funnies, and for art. Everything urgent goes in "The EVERYTHING Book!"
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