My kids think he is creepy, my grandson said he is an elf, but whatever he is, he makes me smile.
This last year may of been my most fly-by-the-seat-of-my pants, unorganized year ever. I prefer to plan things ahead and have time to think about choices and decisions. So I am really hoping that 2014 will be smoother.
I tend to write lots of lists on spiral notebooks and then they get messy or switched around, with no real plan, just what I write in them. I've seen on several blogs about homekeeping notebooks and decided I need to do one of those.
I shopped online and at one store, seeing if I could buy a readymade one, but none of the ones I looked at had just the things in them that I need to plan and keep track of.
So, I made my own! First I bought a notebook and a package of 8 dividers, but when I was looking for my page protectors at home, I found an old notebook that would work fine. I returned the first notebook for a refund.
Mine has 8 sections so far, mainly because my dividers came in a package of 8.
The sections may change as the year goes on.
My notebook has 2 pockets on my sides, I knew it would need pockets.
My 8 sections
1. bills, I used a printout from organizedhomelife.com called annual bill schedule, with a page protector behind it to hold the bills needing attention. Thankfully, we don't have stacks of bills every month and I pay most bills online so this section is not big. Some families will need a notebook dedicated just to their bills.
2. birthdays I used a printout from organizedChristmas.com and filled it in with family birthdays and anniversaries by the month. My father in law's birthday is in a few days so I noted beside his name what gift we sent.
3. Holidays- this section will be to keep menu plans and any special things I hope to do. So far, it is just a page protector holding our 2013 Thanksgiving and Christmas menus.
4. Kitchen- I put my freezer inventory here and used a printable at organizedhomelife.com for it.
I know this ticket is dated 2013 but it is part of my current spending period.
7. Create- where I will plan and keep track of crafting and sewing projects,
8. Home- for projects and needs
There are oodles of free and pay to print printables on the sites I mentioned and on many other sites.
This system is what I think will work for me and it looks a lot tidier than my old spirals.
I am also pleased that the only money spent on it was buying the new dividers, and the printer ink. It is always nice when things come together in a frugal way.
What is your system for keeping up with these things?
I'm afraid I don't do much planning from day to day. lol I do keep a record of sorts in a little book: daily temperatures, rainfall amounts, special events.
ReplyDeletemy grandfather was a farmer and he always kept track of the weather in a calendar too. Weather is especially important to farmers, right?
DeleteAwesome and inspiring! I have tried lots of things and never quite get it like I want it. I'll look at some of the sites you mentioned and maybe print out some things. A new year is a good time to get organized.
ReplyDeleteIts always a work in progress for me.
Debbie, I think most everything is a work in progress, right? :)
DeleteHappy New Year! I have a notebook, the cheap essay book you get during back-to-school time. It's simple, but works for me.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer, I like those back to school sales and usually get a stack of 10 cent spirals and loose leaf paper.
DeleteWhat a pretty cover for your binder! I have different binders for different things. I do have a homekeeping one with general info in it. Then I have a Budget Binder, a Meal Planning Binder and a Blog Binder. I also have a planner for to do lists/goals/ideas and schedules.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing all your pretty binders on your blog. Thank you for the compliment on my cover, I was thinking I wanted to change it but maybe I will just leave it. It is from the Brocante Home Blog
DeleteI was hoping you would share your new notebook. I like the daily pages and will look into those. They'd help keep track of those 14 in '14 things as well as the usual daily happenings. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTammy, I am going to write out my 14 in 14 list and put it in the very front of this notebook. Maybe we will both get lots on our lists done!
DeleteI plan to make one of these this month too! Thanks for the links!
ReplyDeleteyou are welcome Mary Ann, hope you find printables that work for you
DeleteGreat idea!! Might have to give this some thought. I live by a planner, calender, and legal pad. I'm old fashion, pen and paper for me so the printed pages would be great
ReplyDeleteI like things written on paper too, except for online bill pay. I would love it if I never had to write out another paper check. My grandchildren think every legal pad must belong to their attorney Uncle Jimmy.
DeleteI love these... I have so many different notebooks, one for budget, one for sewing, one for my to do lists, etc.. I really should combine it all like this! That "confident mom" sheet looks wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteHi Carla, The Confident Mom site is really good. I ought to spend some more time looking there, she has great ideas
DeleteI like your notebook - I just may do something like this. I really need to do a freezer and pantry organizing sheet. I tend to forget what we have on-hand. Thanks for the ideas!
ReplyDeleteYour welcome Melanie, I've done freezer inventories every so often and I like this one much better in the notebook, instead of cluttering up the outside of the fridge where I used to keep it.
DeleteI used to have a homekeeping guide like yours but it's gotten stashed in a closet somewhere. I've not been very organized the past few years and it's time I get organized again. Maybe I should dig out the old guide and refresh it. :) Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you Sharon!
DeleteRhonda you are just too organized for me..hehehe
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed looking at yourmChristmas pics of your family and yummy food too!!!
Thank you Kathy, I was a lot more organized before I had 5 grand children under 4 :)
DeleteI really like your notebook. I will be interested to see how it will work for you and how you will tweak it.
ReplyDeleteSusan, so far, I have made notes in it everyday and it is working better than I hoped. But we will see as the month goes on.
DeleteI love this! I need to update my notebook!
ReplyDeleteI have a household notebook also. There is no way I would stay organized without it.
ReplyDeleteI have a big binder with pockets ( the cheap plastic things ) and when bills are paid, I put them in there. I also record the bills in a notebook and have a separate section to record that I balanced the checkbook etc.
ReplyDeleteEvery few months when that gets full, I put the plastic holder things into an accordian file.
Bank statements have a binder arranged by the month.
At the end of the year I take all previous year records from each, deposit to a box, and store up in a cupboard in my bedroom.
Desk calender on the computer desk to scribble on and it's not so complicated now that my kids are grown...back then I had bulletin board, calender, etc in a section in the kitchen to track activities.