Most people think I am so organized, but really I am constantly on a quest to not just seem organized but to actually be organized. There are a few items that have really been helpful for me in this regards. The first one is a dry erase board on my refrigerator.
Actually I have two, but the one I use all the time is for grocery items. When we run low or out of something, we write it on the grocery board. It’s really simple, but it has cut down on our trips to the grocery for one or two items which always leads to leaving the store with five or ten items! I used to grab a scrap piece of paper to jot down a quick item to remember, but often the paper would get misplaced, so this works well. Also, the other family members know exactly where the list is when they want to add something. Then when I make my weekly menu and grocery list, I just add my items from the board.
My second item is a purse organizer insert that you can lift in and out when you change purses. I was constantly changing purses and just grabbing a few necessities out of the current purse and leaving the rest. Inevitably, I would leave something behind that I needed. I first bought an expensive one online that ended up too big for many of my purses. Then one day while shopping on vacation, I found a two pack of these for 10$ at a kitchen store in one of those “as seen on t.v.” sections. It really is an ingenious item for keeping things organized in your purse, and for having everything you need when you switch purses!
My other must have item is my household notebook. I just started this about a year ago, and I really don’t know how I managed without it for 21 years of marriage.
It’s just a three ring binder with tabs that helps me consolidate important information that I need to run my household. The categories in my notebook are:
Budget-which holds my checkbook and account information and also my budget categories and balances
To Do-which has my larger “to do” items listed
Menu-for my weekly meal plan and also meal ideas
Gift List-where I can keep track of what I have already bought for birthdays and Christmas
Home and Car Maintenance-to keep track of when we replace or fix certain items
Diary-to right down cute or important things the kids say to put in their baby books later
Blog-for blog ideas, linky parties…
Passwords-for my various online passwords
I use this binder everyday, and it’s a great tool that can be personalized to fit anyone’s home management needs.
Next is this file folder basket that sits on my kitchen counter, which helps deal with the mail clutter immediately when it comes into the house. My hubby has his own file here so he know where to look for things that need his attention. The other categories I use here are: coupons, medical, receipts, bills and to file. Some of these items have to be filed later in our file cabinet, but for the quick sort this works very well, and keeps things from piling up somewhere.
My fifth must have organizational tool is my daily planner. They come in so many different styles, but this is the one that works the best for me. I use this for smaller daily jobs that need to be done immediately, and for upcoming appointments in conjunction with my wall calendar.
I am really learning as I get older (and wish I had realized 20 years ago) that organization pays off in so many ways, from the ease of finding things, avoiding late fees, having information available when it’s needed and even to saving money. It is so worth the small amount of effort that initially goes into it.
Hope this is helpful!
Linking to some of these fun link parties: Sunday: Under the Table and Dreaming, DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrifty Things, Homemaker on a Dime Monday:Uncommon Designs, Skip to My Lou, Craft O Maniac, Keeping it Simple, Creating Really Awesome Free Things, Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms, Between Naps on the Porch, The Girl Creative, Mad in Crafts, I’m An Organizing Junkie, Sew Can Do, I Should be Mopping the Floor, Making the World Cuter, The Gunny Sack, Mrs. Happy Homemaker, DIY Home Sweet Home, The Modest Mom Tuesday:Coastal Charm, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Tip Junkie, Sugar Bee Crafts, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, 5 Minutes for Mom, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Hope Studios, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Time Warp Wife, Chef in Training, Home Stories A to Z, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,The Blackberry Vine, Carolyn’s Homework, The Kurtz Corner, Growing Home, Cornerstone Confessions, Mercy Ink, A Diamond in the Stuff Wednesday: Raising Homemakers, Crystal & Co., We Are That Family, Women Living Well, The Trendy Treehouse, Handy Man Crafty Woman, Someday Crafts, Fabric Bows and More, Seven Thirty Three, Sugar and Dots, A Creative Princess, Twin Dragonfly Designs, The Thrifty Home, Creations by Kara, Gingersnap Crafts, My Girlish Whims, SemiHomemade Mom Thursday: Shabby Creek Cottage, Delightful Order, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, The Frugal Girls, Miz Helen’s Country Cottage, The Thirty Sixth Avenue, Thrifty 101, Diary of A Stay At Home Mom, Beyond the Picket Fence, A Glimpse Inside Friday: The Shabby Nest, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Chic On A Shoestring, Miss Mustard Seed, Tidy Mom, Whipperberry, French Country Cottage, 30 Handmade Days, Finding Fabulous, Naptime Crafters, Tatertots and Jello, My Romantic Home, While He Was Napping, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hippo, The Country Cook, Six Sister’s Stuff, Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons, Ann Kroeker, Writer, Simply Sweet Home, Craft Junkie Too, Simply Designing, Happy Hour Projects, A Little Knick Knack, Young and Crafty Saturday: Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, A Vision To Remember, Sweet As Sugar Cookies, It’s Overflowing, The Artsy Girl Connection, Too Much Time On My Hands, Or So She Says, Tutus and Tea Parties, Your Home Based Mom
Looks Great. I’ll take one of each!!
Good system. This year I started a “mom folder” for ME. Kind of household info keeper, kind of planner, definitely has been a life saver for the last couple of months.
Your dry erase board idea is wonderful, and I am searching for a purse organizer, but what caught my eye today is that picture of your cubby shelves in the header–SO NICE!
Thanks for sharing and explaining what works for you–that HELPS.
I love all your tools. I may steal one or two!
Love this post! I’ve been trying to get myself a binder together for years now…I think I need to just do it.
Good job…lots of good organization! love the purse organizer. I use a spiral bound notebook for my brain, I mean a way to keep organized. I take it with me shopping. It was a Laura idea last year! She’s kept me going after 33+ years of being married and keeping house! Never too old to learn something new to help. I homeschooled our 2 children years ago and enjoyed it and they are now adults, doing pretty good in life. Take care!
Very interesting! Being organized saves time. I am a new Follower from the Meet Me Monday Blog Hop.
Judy
It is always so helpful to see how others organize. Thanks for linking up!
Emily
domesticdeadline.blogspot.com
I am horrible when it comes to being organized. These tips will sure help me out a lot!
We would love to have you come link up to our Crafty Lassie Tuesday Link Party. http://sewstylishboutique.blogspot.com/
We are also having a giveaway! Hope to see you there.
Thanks!
Rose & Heather
This wonderful post totally contributed to the blog party’s success! Thanks for linking up at Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop
I bought those Purse insert thingies – I got 2 in the pack, I turned the large one inside out (so pockets are on the outside) and put the smaller one into the larger – I now have way more packet than I need but since my pursed has none, it is great!
I wish I had a home planner like that for my iPhone…can someone PLEASE make an app for that?!
Lovin that purse organizer! Great post!
Thanks for sharing these great tips! Thank you for linking to Wicked Awesome Wednesday.
I love the gal who said, “I’ll take one of each”. Ditto.
me encanta su organización. Tomaré ideas.
Buenas semana ( o lo que queda)
Núria
Awesome list. Shared it on Facebook. Thanks for linking up.
I love learning how to be more organized from real women who give real tips. thanks for sharing. I started a link party at my blog and I’d love for you to link this up. I also have an awesome digital scrapbooking giveaway going on. If you’re interested it’s http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/
Love your organizational ideas! Thank you for sharing. I’m your newest member!
http://www.projectqueen.org
I have tried one purse organizer that did not work for me. But I like yours, I will search for a similar one. Great post.
Thank you for your organizing ideas. I really need to get my act together and this has inspired me! Saw your post at Thrifty Thursday!
Oh I having been wanting to start a household binder! I have seen a ton of variations-maybe I should get my booty into gear!
Great Ideas – thanks! Love the post filer and household binder especially
I need to do all of these ideas for work. My desk looks like it exploded lol.
Great ideas. I especially like the purse organizer. I’m a new follower and would appreciate if you’d take a look at Bible Love Notes, one-minute devotions for women.
http://biblelovenotes.com
thanks! Gail
Those look great! I have to admit that I’d be lost without my dry erase board and daily planner.
Right there with you about the household binder and daily planner— totally sanity savers! Thanks for sharing!
The file right on the counter is so smart! I always have a pile of junk and it drives the hubs nutso! Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!
Love your ideas & will be stealing them for sure. The to lists for you & hubby is great. So need that for us. Also love the files right on the counter idea. I always put mine in our roll top desk & than out of sight out of mind for me. Needless to say bills go unpaid sometimes or paid late. Not with that idea!
[...] stove and refrigerator, I have a few things I consider practically essential resources, besides my organizational tools. These are a few things I use over and over [...]
This was a great read! And I agree with you, the household notebook made my top five as well!
xo,
Jen