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My New Best Friend {A Home Management Binder}

From my latest posts you may have figured out that a home management binder is my new best friend. Today I’m gonna walk you through building your own.

photo source

 I know what you’re saying. I said the same things when I first heard about home management notebooks.

“I have to build something? I don’t have time to build something!”
“I’m already a list maker, and I’m pretty organized”
“That’s for gals who can’t keep their head on straight.”

Then I became one of those gals.
By the third kid, I was beginning to unravel.  Although it looked like I had it all together — house was tidy, laundry got done (usually), I cooked all our meals from scratch — the truth was, my brain was wearied and confused trying to keep on top of everything. Even though I wrote copious lists and constantly worked on organization,  I was drained by the constant need to prioritize and by the fact that I felt I could never let my mind rest, for fear something would leak out.
 
Enter the Home Management Notebook. When I finally buckled down and put one together, I realized how stupid I’d been to put it off. It really wasn’t that hard, and it has made all the difference!

  • All my lists are in one place. No more searching for that scrap of paper.
  •  I have my priorities always before me, reducing the mental strain of constantly weighing options for my time.
  •  I am more organized than ever, which is finally allowing me to relax and trust that IF I have forgotten something, it is small enough that I don’t need to worry about it.
  • I feel like I have space to breathe – almost as if I DID have Cinderella visit occasionally!

So, now I have you drooling over your own Home Management Notebook, but you’re also staring at the hurdle of Building Your Own.

It’s really not that hard – Let me talk you through it.

First we shall collect our materials. I’m going to give you two options. If you’re desperate to start one and don’t have time to run to Walmart first, here’s the bare bones necessities you’ll need that you probably already have around the house…

  • Binder (1 1/2 -2 inch spine)
  • Lined paper with holes OR any paper and a 3-hole punch (I got mine at the thrift store!)
  • Old file folders for dividers. 

There’s going to be sections in your book, and I’ve found old file folders, cut up the spine and hole punched, work good for dividers. The above is enough to get you started. – you can upgrade to a pretty binder or dividers with pockets later.

This is your shopping list if you wanna get a little fancy…

  • Binder (Target has some Gorgeous ones!)
  • Lined paper with re-inforced holes
  • Avery Tab Dividers with Pockets
  • Plastic sleeves – glossy finish
  • Wet Erase fine-tip markers

That will make you a fancy-pants book, let me tell you!

Next step is to decide how you wanna order you’re binder.I recommend you wander around a bit for inspiration. Everyone’s got their different ways of setting it up and all. The power of your binder comes from having it customized to your goals and routines. My set-up is kind of unique, inspired by my friend Gretchen’s binder. But there’s lots of great stuff out there – I’ve pinned some of my favorites on Pinterest to get you started. If you’re already feeling lost and don’t want to wander further into the unknown, don’t worry, I’ll be back shortly to talk you through how I set up mine, ok?

{Many thanks to my friends Gretchen, Jessica, and Diane whose examples of pursuing organization finally prompted me to build my own binder. :)}

Not sure if a home management binder is for you? I told you – neither did I. Until I tried it! I’ll never go back. What would ‘room to breathe’ feel like in your day?

Filed Under: Homemaking, Thrive Tagged With: From my House, Organization

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Trina says

    January 23, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    Yeah! I'm so excited for all you ladies that are encouraged to build your binder! You're gonna love the difference it makes…

    Reply
  2. Mandy says

    January 23, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    I'd just like to say that I think this constitutes as blog torture that you didn't give us the full directions in one post! ๐Ÿ˜‰ I went out and bought my stuff and now am on pins and needles obsessively refreshing the page until you post further directions! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  3. Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy says

    January 23, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    I've resisted making one of these because it just seems like one more thing I have to DO, and one more thing to keep on top of. But I am slowly beginning to consider it.

    Reply
  4. Rita says

    January 22, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Great, I like that.

    Reply
  5. Karen says

    January 22, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Oh yes, I have put this off for a year or so. I have been buying planners that I hate knowing I need to make my own binder and having no excuse…just not doing it. Some days I think I am the only one without a binder in bloggy land. It sounds like you are proof that it works. To read your blog a person would think you definitely had one all neat and tidy and organized but it so good to here that you don't either and that now you do and it works. Thanks so much for sharing. You have given me that extra push to make my own too! Have a blessed day!

    Reply
  6. nmetzler says

    January 22, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    This is encouraging me to get my rear in-gear and put together a new one! I started my first one after reading Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman and used it for years.

    I tried to switch to a little day planner last year. It didn't work very well.

    Definitely making one this week.

    Thanks.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    One more; thanks for your reasons for putting it off. I have used all of those. ๐Ÿ™‚ jyl

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    Awesome post again! Sometimes I feel like your my personal Cinderella with all you bless us with. Thank you. Jyl

    Reply
  9. Trina says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:18 pm

    Rachel- absolutely! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  10. Rachel says

    January 21, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    Trina…I might just take you up on that call! Maybe the beginning of the week?

    Reply
  11. Trina says

    January 21, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    Yes, Rachel! You will LOVE it. More tips coming soon (but you can always call me if you can't wait LOL)

    Reply
  12. Rachel says

    January 21, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    Oh my word! I am so making one of these the first chance I get! ๐Ÿ™‚ Can't wait to hear more of how you have yours set up! I think after the whole move and a totally different work schedule for Jake I have felt like I'm running around with no plan…except maybe make it through the day. And I am totally exhausted by the end. I think this will make life so much easier and flow more smoothly! Thank you for the encouragement and challenge here! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. next thing notebook | From: The Little Pink House says:
    April 2, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    […] friend Trina has all sorts of compelling and empowering posts on the why’s and how’s of a home management […]

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Just because it's common, doesn't make it normal....stepping out of overwhelm and into peace and fun! Homeschooler, Momprenuer and Author, helping you create your best life NOW. Read more...

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