Making A Home Management Binder

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Sharpie, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #SharpieClearview http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Over the years I have tried several different ways to keep my family organized. I have tried apps on my phone and wall calendars, dry erase boards and planners. But there’s always something missing from each one that I need, or a feature that I would want to change. As my kids get older and have more and more activities to keep organized it has become more important to find a way to keep all of our family information in one convenient place.

I’ve had a few friends tell me about their family binders so I thought I would give it a try. I recently went to Walgreen to gather some supplies for my new binder. This is the perfect time of year because all office/school supplies are on sale! I got a great deal on a binder, dividers, sheet protectors, and more. I also purchased the new Sharpie Clearview Highlighters to try out. They have a clear tip so you can see exactly where you’re making your mark, and also if you’re running out of ink.

In the front of the binder I have a zipper pouch to hold my note pad, pens, highlighters, and other small supplies so that they are easily accessible. Also so that none of my kids take them!

Then I have a year calendar, divided into six months front and back, inside a sheet protector to keep track of birthdays, holidays, anniversaries or any other important dates for the year.

Next, I have colored dividers and the first tab has a monthly calendar to keep all of our family activities organized. I used the Sharpie Clearview Highlighters to color coordinate my older kids’ activities. They dry fast and don’t smear the ink I write with, which is helpful since I am usually in a rush and don’t have time to wait for ink to dry!

Behind the calendar I have my To Do List and Goals sheet, which is probably my most important section. I print out 4 each month so that I can write in any appointments or tasks for each week as they come up. I look at this page first thing in the morning every day so that I know what needs to be done for that day.

The next tab is where I keep my weekly menu plan and grocery list.  Behind this form I have a clear sheet protector where I keep the current grocery ads and any restaurant coupons or menus, in case we decide to eat out.

Then I have a tab with a calendar to keep the bills and expenses organized. Once we have paid a bill I highlight it on the calendar. Most of our statements we get through email, but a few are still paper so I have a sheet protector behind the calendar to keep those as well.

During the school year I reserve a tab for each child to keep important letters and notices that their teacher may send home. In the past my child’s teachers have been so helpful with providing resources to continue  what they learned at school in the home and it’s nice to be able to have that all in one place. I also keep a calendar from the school with any important dates under these tabs too.

There is also a tab with a schedule for weekly cleaning. This is not my favorite tab, but it’s necessary for our home. I always think that I can put off cleaning until the next day and then I end up never doing any of it! I have found if I break up the cleaning through out the week and stick to the schedule, I’m much more likely to get it finished each week.

At the end of each month I take all of the calendars and to do lists and file them in the back of the binder under month tabs. I also add any future notes or important papers for the months ahead here.

There are several additional tabs where you could keep car maintenance records, a family emergency plan, home repair records or resources – any information that would be useful. I feel so much better every day when I wake up and I can check the binder to see exactly what I have ahead of me that day. I feel that going forward this binder is going to help our family really stay organized and sane!

You can use the organization pages I made for your own home binder too! Click on each link to print out the pages: Cover Page | Important Dates Calendar  | Monthly Calendar | Weekly To Do List | Grocery List | Cleaning Schedule

As I mentioned above, today’s post has been brought to you by Sharpie Clearview Highlighters. Be sure to follow Sharpie online on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to find out about the new products they have to keep you organized!