Assembling a Home Management Binder

I like writing lists and keeping records, but my notebooks, binders and papers are everywhere (read: disorganization). Disorganization is not my friend; it can put a serious damper on my day. So, I decided that it was time get organized and make a home management binder!

Making a Home Management Binder

Step 1: Grab a binder, something sturdy and well built. I got one that zips closed so that loose sheets don't come flying out every time I pick it up. Decorate it if you want.

Step 2: Get some study dividers. I went with thick plastic dividers so that they'll hold up against a lot of use.

Step 3: Brainstorm. Start thinking about what you want to put into the binder.

There a some great resources out there:

www.flylady.net check Control Journal for step by step starting up tips.
organizedhome.com
www.household-management-101.com

Also, get some Blogspirations:

Laura Williams' Musings Home Management Binder
My Domestic Church Managing the Home...
Live Lovely Home Management Binder
The Lister Family My Home Management Binder
Pieces of Me My Home Management Binder
Feelin Feminine A chest of Hopes: Home-Management Binder

Step 4: Section off your binder with your dividers.

My binder has the following sections:

• Rhythm [weekly, monthly and yearly, liturgical calendar]
• Home [cleaning, checklists, to-do]
• Finance [budget, savings, coupons, frugality]
• Community [emergency, contacts, events]
• Food Preservation [canning, freezing and dehydrating records]
• Wine Making [records and outcomes]
• Gardening [records, plans and ideas]
• Abbot's Rabbits [pedigree and breeding records]

Step 5: Gather forms, calendars, checklist, paper, notebooks or any other material to fill in each section.

organizedhome.com has some great printable forms.

www.household-management-101.com also has some useful printable checklists and calendars.

Print out a monthly expense sheet here or here.
Perhaps you need a simple wine making log or a rabbit pedigree print out? Or not.

Step 6: Use the binder. Fill in the sheets, check off the checklists... 

There's a saying that goes 'A done garden is a dead garden'. I think that a home management binder is like a garden in that sense. You're never truly done your home management binder. It's something that will continuously change and evolve as your family does.