Home Management Notebook and Life Organization
I came across an inspirational site last night and because of it, I have spent the last 14 hours organizing changing my life. I’ve always had a vague idea of what home organization should be. Oddly enough, when I used to work in the office I was very organized. All of the files on my computer were organized into specific, easy to find folders, I always tried to remove the clutter on the desk, etc. However, now that I am home full time, I am noticing that I don’t take the same care in my home office.
I have dedicated this week to re-organizing my life.
- Earlier in the week, I organized ALL of the files on my laptop and desktop computers. This let me tell you, was a task in itself.
- Last night, I created my first home management notebook.
- This morning I organized the entire office.
My Home Management Notebook
This was an idea that I learned about last night on SimpleMom.net. It is an easy way to keep your life organized. It is basically a binder or folder of some sort with dividers that contains all of the important and organizational information that you and your family need on daily basis. At first I thought, right what could I possibly need an entire notebook for? But now that I have started, it is almost addicting.
I am reusing an old 3 ring binder that I found around the house and some recycled paper dividers I had in my office.
Below are my categories so far. I will probably add more in the coming days.
- The Daily Docket
- Clean
- Finance
- Lily
- Passwords
The Daily Docket: This is a simple yet robust to do list and daily planner. I use the free download from SimpleMom.net. I love it because it has a to do list for blog/work items, a place for scripture, a general (flexible) daily plan, a reasonable sized to do list, a place to log food, water, and workouts, and the top 3 things you want to accomplish that day. I’ve tried many store bought day planners in the past and none of them suited my needs so I ended up putting them on the bookshelf to collect dust. This one is functional.
Clean: In the clean section, I have another free download from SimpleMom.net. It is a basic weekly checklist of items to clean in the house. I think I will also add a list of things that I want to get rid of and things I want to buy for the home under this tab.
Finance: Under the finance tab, I have a print out of our budget, bills, etc.
Lily: Under Lily’s tab I have things like her immunization record, some health insurance forms I need to fill out, and other things to track and keep her health.
Passwords: I created a full password lists. Since my work is in computers, I use a variety of websites and programs – most of which require passwords of different lengths, etc.
I am also working on a master to do list. This is everything that I want to get done. I can then decide which day I will do it and add it to that day’s daily docket.
I might also add a monthly calender. Here I will write special appointments and dates that are coming up. However, I may just stick to my Google Calender because it sends me email reminders. 
Do you have a great way to organize your home? I’d love to hear it!
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I love to write, learn, and share what I know - all while taking lots of pictures. I live in Los Angeles and am married to a very handsome man named Stan. We have a 5 year old Vizsla, a 3 year old daughter, and one on the way (due Aug, 2011). Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve tried so many planners too.
My biggest dilemma is consistency with one planner.
So I just memorized a universal daily to-do list, have few appointments, have a notebook for sermon notes and grocery lists, a daily devotional check-off with my bible, and put our budget, financial goals, saving money tips and actual income/outgo papers on the fridge. The rest I just do as it comes. I love the food/water/workout journal. I used to do that, and it was really beneficial.
I have that same problem. I think it is because I love the part where you get to buy a new planner and fill it in but that is it. I like this type though because it is like a master plan and daily stuff in one super flexible 3 ring binder. I can use the daily stuff when I need to but also have a running master list, all in one organized spot.
I am debating whether or not I should keep on my computer instead of a 3 ring binder/paper though. Microsoft comes with a program called OneNote which you can do everything you would be able to do with a paper notebook but it is in digital format. Easy to edit, find certain words, and eco-friendly. But there is just something about having it in hand and being able to pull out certain sheets, hang them up, etc. We have a fancy new cork board in the office that I’ve been putting mine on.
[...] “New” item is my handy Home Management Notebook. Which I used today and it was fabulous. I love knowing exactly which bills are due, what I have on [...]
Home Management Notebook and Life Organization http://bit.ly/VacGT
[...] in my to do list because I have stopped using any method of organization. Last August I started a home management notebook. A home management notebook is similar to a day planner, except it is so much more. You can put [...]
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