Getting Organized: House Binder!

Are you ready to see the first binder in the Organize Your Life With Binders Series?  I’m so excited to show you! Today, we’re talking about my House Binder.

Don’t miss the Meal Planning Binder, Budget Binder or Emergency Binder, plus more to come!

This is my House Binder.  It includes everything that makes the house run, all in one place!  I’ve been using it and tweaking it over the last few weeks, and I think I have it exactly the way I want it.  If not, I’ll just update this post when I do!

Supplies

To make my House Binder, I used these supplies:

• 1″ Staples Better Binder
• Avery Big Pocket Dividers – 5 Tab
• Staples Pencil Pouch
• Avery Heavyweight Page Protectors
• Avery Monthly Dividers
• Post It Filing Tabs
• Notebook Paper
• Graph Paper
• 3 Hole Punch
• Label Maker

Binder Organization

This binder is pretty full, but still has room to grow!  I decided on Teal for the House binder.  It’s pretty and calming!  Staples has a ton of colors and sizes in their Better Binder Line.  They really are better binders.  I love them!

I printed a basic “House” in 48 pt font for the spine window.  This makes it easily visible from a distance and matches my other binders.

I keep a pencil pouch in each binder so that I always have a pencil/pen/eraser.  You can also keep things like an extra key or other house-related small items in this pouch for safe-keeping.  I like to use pencils so I can change things around.  They are easy to find for less during back to school sales.

I created a set of cohesive printables for each binder that was modern, yet simple.  Since I would be printing a lot of pages, I didn’t want something that used all of my ink.  The design is subtle, and meant to conserve as much ink as possible, while still looking cool!  I made a cover page to slip in the clear binder cover, and use another in a page protector to make it like a real book.  You know, a title page!

To do List Section

The first section is the most-used and most important section: The Weekly To Do List!   This page gets a lot of action!  My goal with this list is to not have much to do on the weekends, so I have a section for each week day, and then one for “Weekend”.  The section on the bottom right is a “Bonus” section.  This is where you put all of those projects that you would try to tackle only after you’d done everything on the regular list and are bored. You know, like cleaning the garage or scrapbooking.  That’s why it’s a bonus!  If you get to cross something off the Bonus Area, feel free to feel awesome!  You deserve it!

Monthly Calendar

The next section is the monthly activity calendar. This is where we keep all of those doctor’s appointments, weekend activities, and birthdays.  The printables are blank so I can fill in the month and the dates.  I use my Avery Monthly Dividers to keep each month separate and easy to find.

Lists Section

I used to keep a House Wishlist in a notepad doc on my old laptop, and it was so satisfying to jot down what projects I wanted to do and when, and what items I was looking for to complete our decor. But there’s something about writing down all of my wishlists for the house, putting some sort of dream due date (Winter 2013?) and crossing it off when its complete!

I decided it would be better to split my Wishlist into two lists: a Project List for heavy renovations and total room redecorating projects (otherwise known as a “Honey Do List”), and a House Wishlist for decor things like “new curtains in the Living Room”

I’ve split this section into sub-sections using Post It Tabs.  I only print two sheets of each at a time.  If I have more projects/wants than that, I start stressing out.  If you have a new home, I would suggest printing one page per room.

When we’re in the middle of projects, I can keep receipts, notes, and plans in the folder tab, or, I can punch holes in them and stick it in this section of the binder.  I also have some empty page protectors in this section to hold that stuff.  When the project is completed and everything is good, I’ll move those receipts and plans to my file bin (I’ll show you that in a few weeks!).  This way, I have everything in one easily accessible place.

Cleaning Schedule

Cleaning Schedules are a really good idea. If you can spend 30 minutes each day doing something on this list, your house should stay relatively presentable.  I keep this in a page protector with a Post It Tab on it.  I can use a dry-erase marker to mark off when I’ve completed a chore, and then wipe it off with a tissue when its time to start over.  That way, you only have to print one of these.

The last two sections are places to dream and jot down notes.  I keep my Graph Paper here to sketch out room layouts to scale.  I also have a Notes section with loose Notebook Paper to jot down ideas or local stores.  If I want to make a list, let’s say favorite local furniture stores, I can stick a Post It Tab on the page to find it later.

I use my label maker to create all of the label tabs.  It just makes the binder look more polished and neat!

That’s it!  The To Do List has really kept me on track for the last few weeks.  I always put “Make Bed” as the first task each day, because it’s an easy one to mark off right away.  It gets the day started right!

FREE Printables

I’m attaching my Printables here for you to download for FREE!  These are non-editable PDF Printables.  That’s why they are FREE!  I do have some conditions of their use: These printables were created by me under a creative commons license.  You may use these for your personal use to create your own House Binders, but please do not sell them or use them for any commercial reason.  Enjoy!

House Binder Cover Page
Weekly To Do List
Blank Monthly Calendar
House Projects List
House Wishlist
Cleaning Schedule

What do you think? Anything you would do differently? Do you think this would help you get organized and stay on top of things? Do you like the printables? Tell us in the comments! If you like this post, please Pin it to Pinterest!

Check out the entire Organize Your Life With Binders Series!

Coming soon: Blog Planning (or Small Business) Binder, House Remodel, Manual Binders, Kid Binder & File Box!

Follow me on Instagram for more budget-friendly tips!