{Our Life: Home Management Binder}

Here it is... finally. My "home management" binder! This is what I have been busy working on for the last 3 weeks. I already had what I call a "budget book", basically a binder for all our financial stuff but then I found this idea on Pinterest and LOVED it! Anything to help keep me better organized... I am all for it. I kind of borrowed the theme of my binder from another website BUT I did tweek it a little bit to fit my style and needs.

 I used a 2 1/2" binder and made it a little more "glamorous" with some really cute scrapbook paper I found at Michael's... and it was on clearance at that. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love a deal, and I love clearance items even more.

I love that everything is lined up and looks neat. No more "loose" items hanging out of my binder. If its not 3-hole punched, it goes into a page protector sleeve.

 

This is my "title page"... just a little something to spice it up. I also included my email and cell phone number just in case for some reason I end up loosing it or misplacing it. GASP!Hopefully, I will never have to worry about that. I am pretty good at keeping tabs on my things and after all the work I have put into this, its like a fourth child... ask Shane... I take it every where. "Our Life" came from another web site and I choose to keep it because it makes sense to me. It's basically... our life... in a binder.

I have everything divided into different categories... Planner, Financial, Health, Schedules, Contacts, Meal Planning, Journaling, Holidays & Vacations, 2012 PCS Move, & Reciepts.

 

In the planner section, I have a 2-page monthly calendar that I already have it printed out for the rest of the year, all in page protectors. A birthday and anniversary section to record everyone's special days, also in page protectors. And a place for all my "to-do" list. 

 

Next is the financial section, I have all my bills divided according to which pay check they are due. I also have my monthly budgeting worksheet to record the bills I have paid, how much I paid, when I paid it, and the confirmation number.

 

In the health section, I have a basic "medical information" sheet for everyone. To record surgeries, prescription medications, broken bones, family histories, etc. It is so much easier to have everyone's information in one spot. With us being a military family, moving all the time, and not having a permanent medical record in our possession. It really helps, so when we do transfer and are seen by a new doctor, I have the information on hand and won't forget anything. Besides, I don't know about you but I have some serious "mom brain" going on these days. Haha! I don't know if it's because I am a mom or if it's because I am getting older. Probably, I bit of both, huh? ;) I constantly have a million things on my mind...  between us getting ready to transfer to New Jersey and my health issues, on top of everyday things like Shane's crazy work/duty schedule, my extremely curious 3 year old who LOVES to test me daily, and helping the girls with what seems like their never ending homework and school projects. It is just a lot easier if I have everything, and by everything, I mean e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g written down. ;)

Anyways, back to the binder... included under the health section is a spot for referrals (TRICARE makes us have referrals for everything) and fitness (where I record my weight weekly).

We all have our own individual tab under the schedules section. In Shane's, I keep his most recent pay check stub along with this duty schedule and any Coast Guard related info we might need. Like our orders to New Jersey. I have a school calendar in Isabella and Makayla's along with any info they might get on upcoming field trips or school projects, etc. For now, Daniella and mine are empty but I plan to utilize those with college and daycare/pre-k info as soon as we get moved and settled into Atlantic City.

 

 

Contacts, are pretty self explanitory. I have it divided into family & friends, doctors & dentist, and other... and then of course it is in alphabetical order thanks to these awesome letter dividers I found at Walmart.

... I also have a page protector to hold take out menus. :)

 

Meal planning... is where I keep our bi weekly menu and grocery list. As well as our menu ideas and recipes. Since Shane gets paid twice a month, I only go grocery shopping twice a month. Usually on the 1st and the 15th. So a 2-page grocery list is definitely needed and I like that I have it categorized. It makes shopping alot more organized! I also have a page protector to hold my coupons. :)

 

 

As for the 2012 PCS Move section, it's temporary, but when I started making the binder I felt it needed a section of its own. I have so much stuff on Atlantic City and the move. I needed a place to keep all important numbers, moving paperwork, and collected information. Along with my list of things to do along the way and in New Jersey, our packing list, to do list, etc.

...and a spot for all the reciepts that I feel we need to keep.