The Organizational Quest

One of my favorite tools to use in my quest to be organized is my handy-dandy binder.  Now, some of you tech savy peeps keep it all in your handy-dandy handheld, but I am a write-it-down type of personality, which does not mean I have an aversion to a techno-calendar, I do plug in calendar event's on my handheld and list the things I have to get while out, however, this is just how I prefer to do it.

So now this tool is just your basic binder with a clear vinyl front pocket.  Here's what's inside. 

The Beginning

I have created a printout of a personal affirmation that I slide inside the clear front cover.  It's just a note to  myself, a piece of advice that I may need to focus on at the time.  I change it up when I need to.  Inside the front cover is a list of all emergency phone numbers (I also have one posted inside my cupboard so the kids have a quick reference).  That's pared up with a binder friendly monthly calendar. 

Section I

The first section consists of a planner-style page to serve as a reminder of things I have to do for that day.  It has a spot for outgoing and incoming phone calls, appointments, groceries, menu, things I have to do while I'm out, etc.  It is a quick glance of my day.  The way I use it is, I go to my calendar, menu, activities, etc. (which is all in the same binder) and record it all on this one page.  I do this while having my morning coffee.  What re-writing things I already have typed does for me is, it serves as a reminder and pulls all the details of my day together on one quick-glance page.  I have a weeks worth of blank pages.  I reserve the back of the page to record phone conversations and take notes.

Section II

The second section of my binder is dedicated to what I strive to accomplish for myself.  Healthly living stuff (like the gym schedule, spiritual growth and home-school (for me) etc. I'll record art project ideas and scribble poetry.  It's something that I look over during morning 'me' time and plug in activities that I plan to accomplish on my planner page.

Section III

The third section is 'Household' .  What you'll find in this section is my weekly house cleaning plan broken down daily with what I have to get done for that day. Does it always get done?  No! That is why it is a QUEST for organization. Hehehe!  I have a light rule here that says, for example, ' if Tuesday's big overhaul cleaning event doesn't get done, I'm not going to worry about it and I'll tackle it the following Tuesday'.  I'll do a light spiff instead or if I magically get a burst of some fabulous need-to-do-more chores energy, I'll do it, but with the realization that I've just experienced a miracle!

Here's how the calendar is layed out for this section:  

Mon:     Financial Day
Tues:     Kitchen & Dining Cleanup
Wed:     Family Room, Living Room, Bathrooms
Thurs:    House project day (I have a list)
Fri:        Master Bedroom, Laundry
Sat:       Yard, Car...
Sun:      Nutin'


Now, the plan here is that, for each day's chores, do the nitty-gritty stuff.  Example for Tuesday's Kitchen & Dining you're not doing a spiff job.  Its a full-on 'clean out the fridges, reorg and wipe down cabinets and pantry, mop, etc.  That will be the only major chore to do!

Now, in the meantime, if something needs to be accomplished in another room, I have a 5-minute rule.  I set the timer on the stove and haul arse to get as much done in that area in a 5-minute timeframe.  Timer goes off.  Done. (though I will continue if I'm almost done....small rule break).

This section also holds a typed weekly menu chart that I slide inside a plastic sleeve.  That way I can use a white board marker on the plastic and wipe it off the for the following week's menu (use the marker spray or a little alcohol to wipe it off easily).  Also included here is a kids (and husbands...shhhh)  chore chart.. p.s.  My not-so-little kids are responsible for their own laundry & private space, as they should be!

Section IV

The forth section is dedicated to the financial running of my household.  What you will find here is a monthly printout of all of our expenses in due-date order combined with a ledger.  For each item, I have typed out it's due date, how much needs to be dedicated to that item, date paid, a confirmation number, a cleared/checkmark column and the userid and logon for that bill.  The header across the top of each monthly page lists my bank and routing number for quick reference.
(NOTE:  THIS BOOK NEVER LEAVES HOME!)

Here's a simplistic look:

Bank Acct #                                            Routing #
________________________________________________________________________________
Company   |   Due Date  |  Amount  |  Date Paid  |  Conf #  |    Site (if done online) & User ID/Password
________________________________________________________________________________
Mortgage   |   1st            |      $          |  1/29           | xxxxxx   |     User: xxxxxx     Password: xxxxxx           
________________________________________________________________________________

I keep all 12 months in the binder.

*The back of this section holds two clear business card holders (10 per page.  The first page consists of the 'I don't really use these cards too much' credit cards and duplicate medical cards.  One per slot.  The other page contains actual business cards.

**Receipts are kept in an envelope in my desk.  They are too bulky to keep in the binder.

Section V

This area contains two lists.  One is 'Large Home Projects' and the other 'Small Home Projects'.  I add and cross off as I go.

Section VI

This sections contains school papers that I need to hold on to.  Permission slip information and sport and class schedules for each child.

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Please note, my friends, that I am an at-home mom, or if you prefer, homemaker (my preference is Domestic Goddess).  I salute all of you hard-working 'Working' individuals as well as you hard-working Domestic individuals.  Take from this post what you will, if anything.  Tweak it, move stuff around to fit your schedule.  If it helps some of you, awesome!  That's my goal here.

AND...

If you have something that helps you stay organized, please post a comment and let me know!  I am perpetually on an organizational quest. 

~Peace