Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Grand Central Station

This is what I call my “Grand Central Station”! I have everything in here I need to keep myself organized. I have compiled a list for a couple years of the things I would want in it. I’m still switching things around occasionally, but here is the general idea!

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I just used a regular binder I had around, I think I got it at Target last year on clearance.

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I do like this binder because it already has a few file pockets just inside the cover! I file my hobby store adds, grocer store adds, a pocket for envelopes, and a little spiral notebook.

I also have a pencil pouch in the front with pen, pencil, highlighter, calculator and scissors for clipping coupons.

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Next you see a bunch of tabs. I have one for each month, and then one for *Emergency Contacts (like Doctor numbers, babysitters), *Contacts w/ birthdays/addresses, business cards for the random numbers I need to know on occasion like the guy I call to sharpen my hair cutting scissors, *Fun (park/activity info)! Within each month I have another 4 tabs..one for each week!

So, turn month 1 over and (my dividers have pockets) I have bills tucked in the pockets, or any other mailers I need to take care of.

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The next page is a monthly calendar for breakdown of that months birthdays, appointments, etc. And following that page is a one month overview write up of menus for the month.

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Within each week…

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I have a weekly schedule to the 1/2 hour. I REALLY like this, because, depending on how organized I am for the day..lol..I can put down when I want to do dishes, naps for the kids, laundry, appts, craft, blog, etc.. It helps me be a lot more productive from day to day (some of you that have served a mission for the LDS church..over 7 years ago, may vaguely recognize this! :))
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Then I have a grocery list for the week (looking back at my menu and figuring out what I need to buy. (found this one online HERE)

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Then I have my Cleaning Checklist for the week.. This REALLY helps me make sure I get everything done in the week that I need to! Something about having a checklist helps me..and I have heard that actually making check marks..releases endorphins, which helps you feel better as well! :) I have a “To Do” place on this list for the week as well, for errands I have to run, people I need to call, etc..

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I also have some loose leaf paper for notes/ and journaling, and whatever else I may need it for. The back folder pocket (front of next months divider) I keep any receipts I may need to keep. Other ideas..expense reports, car mileage, or whatever else you may need to keep track of!

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at the end of each section I have a few slips of the plastic pockets for baseball cards.. but I use it for coupons!

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Okay, so at the end of a few sections I also have some other ‘organizational’ stuff, like for holidays. ie.. February: 14 days of love ideas; December: 12 days of Christmas, Gift lists, etc..

Other Sections:

*Contacts: 2 small dividers: 1.)Addresses.. a list of church directory, and friends addresses, etc. that I may need for mailing birthday cards & 2.) birthday section has just a long list in chart form of names, e-mails, birthdays and anniversaries. (personal info, so I won’t show it!) 3.) Business Cards is just a section for the random numbers I need to know on occasion like the guy I call to sharpen my hair cutting scissors.

*Emergency contact ideas.. Dr. Offices, Hospital, Police, Poison Control, Emergency Contacts (family/friends to contact if emergency), etc..Insurance info (if needed), babysitters, Visiting Teaching numbers, etc.. (I also have a couple business card holder sheets here as well!)

* Fun - w/ brochures of places to go and times they are open, parks and schedules, pools and locations, gym class schedule, lists to have on hand in case we go camping or a road trip, etc..so I don't forget anything. (I have a business card holder here)

*more section Ideas you could use: ~Preparedness - Food/Emergency Storage Info, ~Section for Husband – school schedule, any important info/papers, mail

If anyone is interested, I can see if I can figure out how to make some of my pages pdf, for download! Let me know if you are! I made most of them up just on Microsoft Word and Excel Documents!

 

Update: Okay, so with the help of Laura (thanks Laura!), I think I have this pdf thing firgured out! maybe! Click on the links to down load!


Monthly Calendar

Weekly Planner

Monthly Menu Planner

Weekly Cleaning Checklist

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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

i really need to do something like this....my organization need some orginizing!

Donna's Next Chapter Art said...

I am soooo impressed! I am organizationally challenged. I need to try a system like this.

Laura @ Laura's Crafty Life said...

That is super organized. If you do decide to make .pdfs, there is a super easy program that you can make documents into .pdfs for free. You download it from primopdf.com and it is super easy to use.

Stef said...

This is so awesome! I am in need of some organizing skills ;)
Stef
itsallinmyheadstefsblog.blogspot.com

**** April **** said...

Great ideas here! Wondering... do you print out your month's worth of blank forms on the 1st of the month so that your binder doesn't get too thick/bulky? Or do you laminate them and write directly on them?

Ashlee said...

Laminating is an AWESOME idea.. I have one and love using it! ;) I actually did laminate my weekly chore chart, and have the boxes that I use a dry-erase marker on!..I want to laminate some more!

I actually have been printing out about 3-4 months at a time. I love planning and being able to look ahead, but yes..12 months would make for a heavy binder!

Unknown said...

I LOVE this and so badly need it in my life!
Thanks for linking it to my party, I'm featuring this post on my Tuesday Treats.
Thanks again Ashlee!

MinnesotaMom said...

I have something similar too, but I have added some different things, that I got from the FLYLADY.net She calls it her control journal. Great organizing! Keep up the great job.

Anonymous said...

Hi, nice article liked very much indeed,maybe we should became blog palls lol!
Anyway my name is Ricardo, like you, I write on the internet, altought my blog theme is a lot different from this.....
I develop poker blogs about playing poker without risking your own money........
Enjoyed a lot reading this!