Inside the Binders

You all are so sweet.  Thank you for your questions and comments regarding my organization system. I have received numerous questions about how I organize my binders so I am going to share with you today. I hope this isn't overwhelming.

1.  Get a label maker - I label everything from my binders to my kitchen cupboards to basement storage. Having a place for everything keeps a family organized.

2.  Figure out what each person needs in his/her binder and label each divider.  I try to keep the binders very simple.  Below I've photographed my daughters binder.  Her main categories are School, Health and Activities. I have five sub dividers for her class list, her school forms/paperwork and her activities which include piano, dance and gymnastics. I keep contracts, instructer information, as well as the time/place of the lesson so that anyone could come into our home and easily see her weekly schedule. If you homeschool/privately tutor you might want include a divider for each academic subject to help keep track of progress.

I always use my label maker for dividers because I can peel off the labels and replace with new ones as my family grows and schedules change.  

 

I use the same format for everyone in our family, including our animals.  I just customize them all for each need.

I also keep incidentals in a pocket in the rear of each binder.  For ERH, I have a permission slip notepad as well as personalized clothing and school supply labels.

Permission Slip - Mom Agenda     Clothing Labels - Mabels Labels

Other Binders - I have a binder for holidays as well as housekeeping.   My holidays tabs are just the general holiday name.  Under each holiday name, I keep a menu, a spending worksheet and anything else I need.  For example, in the Christmas divider I have menus, spending worksheet, holiday card list, event schedule, decor schedule, giving list, volunteer list and baking list.

My housekeeping binder is divided by daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal tasks. These will vary for each household.  

In conclusion, the binders hold the detailed information that the wall calendar cannot.   The wall calendar is for our abreviated schedule and the binders help me run the schedule.  

I hope this helps.  Nothing is ever perfect however, having things organized keeps our household running smoothly.  

Comments

[paige]

i love organizational inspiration!!
thank you again for everything and for all your wise words during this exciting time in smk's life!!
thank you!

[Ali]

I agree this is so inspiring! I'm so impressed! You take running a home to a new level! I had never seen permission slips...so neat! Where do you buy clothing labels? I've never done that! I think it would be a terrific idea! How do you label lunch boxes?

~ Ali

[Ali]

Do you buy a certain type binder?

I now want a label maker! Such a great tool!

Seriously, so impressed!

~ Ali

[Katie]

Maria - I went out this weekend on a hunt for some Russell + Hazel products, but the shops I visited were all out of their Mini Planners. Have you ever used the Mini Planners from their line? I am loving their signature binders! Thanks for introducing me to their things!

[Martha]

I love your wall calender with the pockets.. looks like Pottery Barn.. is that where you got it? I'm so into organizing and have been doing a lot lately.. your post got me going on it even more!