Family Organization Binder

Happy New Year!! New Year, New Goals.  Included in my list of new goals is making my Family Organization Binder a bit more functional.  I have tried like many to find a system that works for my family and am open to give new things a try.  Last year I shared with you how I had a filing system set up on my desk, however that took up much needed desk space so I decided to add some of those files to my Family Organization Binder and left some of those hanging files for filing use only.

Let’s take a look at how I set up this years organization binder:

1.  First I put together a list of materials I was going to need to make my binder.

• Binder with 2 pockets in the inside flaps
• Yearly Printable Planner
• Home Management Printables
• Label Maker ( This is the one I use, it’s inexpensive and works great! )
• Pen Pouch with Zipper
• Pens I use these Paper Mates – no bleeding!
• 2 Sets of dividers with tabs
• Washi Tape ( Totally optional, totally cute! )

2. I went ahead and used my previous cover sheet from my organized home printable.

3.  I put together the list of tabs I was going to need to print on my label maker.

The first thing you see when you open my binder is two slots for my incoming mail.  Here I separate my mail as soon as it comes in.  The top slot is for all bills due form the 1st thru the 15th and the second slot is for bills due from the 16th to the end of the month.

The second thing you will see as soon as you open my binder is the pen pouch. 🙂  I have a small obsession with pens so I like to keep them handy.

Let’s now go thru the tabs together:

Most Printables are found in my Etsy store and others you will find here for free.  For those that are free, you will see they are linked to the pdf.

My Tabs are as follows:

Meal plan – In this tab I have My Free Printable Monthly Calendar, Inventory checklist and weekly meal plan checklist.

You might wonder why I have a whole other monthly calendar apart from my planner in this section.  I like to keep my calendar separate for two reasons.  1st It keeps my planner calendar clean or other events I might want to add and two It makes it easier to remove and place on the fridge in a clear paper protector.

Cleaning – In this tab I have my cleaning checklist

Lists – Auto Maintenance, babysitters notes, gift giving lists.

Budget- The next few tabs are all having to with finances.  Here is where the majority of paper builds up in our home, so it’s only obvious that we would have a few more sections to clear out the clutter.  The first tab is budget, here you will find our family budget. 🙂

Checklist – Finance checklist…. What is due, when it’s due and if it’s been paid.

Due 1st – 15th – Here you will hole punch the bill once it’s paid and place in here for future filing.  I usually pay all my bills online, so I will mark the stub as paid and place in this section.

Due 16th – 31st – Diddo with the above

Debt and Savings – Here I keep a list of current debts and how much is owed as well as any saving deposits with a current balance to keep in perspective how much savings is being done.

School Info – All school information is stored here.  It includes schedules, computer passwords, recommended books, etc.

2013 Printable Planner – My planner has all my families schedule, birthdays, and events for the year.

 And that is it!

So what do you think?  Is this a project you are looking forward to creating?  Leave a comment and let me know!  If you are already on the bandwagon what benefits have you found in your binder? What tabs work for you?  What printable would you like to see in the future?  Do you have a blog with organizational tips?  Please do share!

January is a full on Organization month here at Sweet Paper Trail and I would like for you to share your Family Binder success stories.  Join in on the fun and blog about your new 2013 management binder (include photos) .  At the end of the month we will do a fun post showcasing some of your binders and link up are successes { My First Link Party! }.