About seven years ago, I was inspired by FlyLady to start a control journal. I’d just had my oldest (colicky) daughter, I was in the throes of PPD, and I needed to feel in control of my life again.
So, I set to work making a schedule, building a routine, adding menus, making a master grocery list, adding a pantry list, coming up with a detailed cleaning schedule, and on and on. I had the greatest of intentions to get my life in order.
But that binder sat on my shelf.
(It still sits on my shelf.)
Don’t get me wrong…I love FlyLady! She has great advice. She’ll give you all kinds of “babysteps” to turn you into a cleaning machine.
It just didn’t work for me…at that point in my life.
However, my life has changed. It feels a little calmer, and I’m still intrigued by the idea. I’m impressed by those who have amazingly well-put-together homemaking or home management binders. It’s inspired me to want to make my own!
All that is in my binder right now is the Motivated Moms planner!
That leads us to our next 30-Day Challenge! Over the next four weeks, I’ll be slowly making my own home management binder. I’m keeping it simple — I want to actually use it and not feel overwhelmed! I have to keep it real and relevant to who I am and what I do.
I hope you’ll join me!
Make it simple, make it extravagant, make it whatever you want it to be. Just make it usable!
If you aren’t familiar with the concept, a homemaking binder is simply a binder that includes a variety of forms to make your life easier and keep everything in one place. I’ve seen all kinds! Many of them include:
- Weekly or monthly calendar
- Daily schedule
- Cleaning Routines
- Home Maintenance checklists and forms
- Address book
- Emergency numbers
- Babysitter info
- Bill organizer
- Menu plan
- Recipes
- Grocery list
- Pantry list
- Freezer list
- Vehicle repair/tune-up log
- Monthly budgets
- Important monthly dates (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)
- and so on…
Don’t be overwhelmed by this! I told you….we’re keeping it simple! I even have some free printables to share with you (courtesy of ShellyFraley.com). I’ll be sharing them throughout the next four weeks. Keep watching for details on how to get yours (hint: sign-up for my email list now if you want to see it in your inbox Wednesday!) 😉
**Other posts in the series:
30-Day Challenge: Home Management Binder #2
30-Day Challenge: Home Management Binder #3
30-Day Challenge: Home Management Binder #4
30-Day Challenge: Home Management Binder #5
It’s Finished (Well, Pretty Much!)
Due to popular demand, I am giving away my 2013 home management binder printables for FREE to email subscribers! To get them, just go here and pick a subscription option. Be sure to confirm your subscription through the link they will send you. Then, shortly after you confirm, you should receive another email with the link to the download. These will be available free through March 31, 2013.
I realize that not everyone is interested in getting my daily email updates, so you can purchase the printable set for just $1.99 through March 31, 2013. If you’d like to purchase a set, please just click on the button below!
25 Pages of Home Management Binder Printables for $1.99
Homemaking Binder Download Set
There are a total of 25 pages included in the download:
- Customizable Cover
- Important Dates
- Chore Chart Checklist
- Recipe References
- Menu Planner
- Idea Checklist
- Weekly Calendar (2 Versions)
- Schedule
- Goal Sheet
- Monthly Calendars for 2013
Happy Homemaking Binder Making!!
Kyla Johnson says
This will be wonderful! I’ve been s-l-o-w-l-y working on my Home Management notebook. I’m looking forward to this!
Stacie says
I like your s-l-o-w-l-y! Me, too! I was hoping this would move me along!! 🙂
Nicole says
I am going to think how I can incorporate something like this on my smartphone… I usually just start over from scratch early Monday morning with a piece of notebook paper so that I can get a handle on the week ahead, but I really like the idea of the binder. (And I have not forgotten about that list of easy (and brainless for mommy to think of) things for the kids to do. I have just been swamped!)
lorena says
What a timely post! I was just thinking that I need to create a binder for myself while I was working on my blog last night. I work full time and now that I’ve started my blog, I often find myself strapped for time so I really, really need to get more organized.
Anna says
Love it, I hav a binder, but I’m not liking how its set up right now. I really need to use it more though.
Stacie says
I’m still trying to figure out the best way to do it, too! I want to actually use it this time when I make one!!
Jen@mamaZEN says
I am working on a bill binder that I got the idea for on Pinterest. I think this is a great way to expand on the whole thing. Except, I think the bill binder will be separate for me. I need a “one-stop” kinda thing to glance over. Great post! (I also found you on Pinterest!)
april says
i like your home management binder i would like copy
Stacie says
Hi, April! You’ll need to either subscribe via email subscription to get the printables or share on FB or Twitter with the buttons near the bottom of the post.
Hope that helps!
Bethany says
I would love a copy of your home management binder. I have subscribed via email.
Stacie says
Hi, Bethany! Check your email subscription that comes daily. You should find the links below each post! Hope that helps!
siji says
Please send me emails and the printables to do the family organization binder please. Thank you
Stacie says
Hi! You’ll need to subscribe using the links in the post and then you’ll start to receive emails. Thanks!
Heather says
I do get your emails but the link is broke or something cause I opens a new blank tab. Am I doing something wrong? I would really like to start making my binder soon cause it is total chaos here so I need some help. lol Thanks
Stacie says
Hi, Heather! You might try copying the link and pasting it in a different browser. Otherwise, feel free to send me an email at motherhoodonadime @ gmail.com and I will see if I can find it and attach it for you! 🙂
Stacie says
Did you get my email? Sometimes it goes to spam, so I just wanted to check!
Rachel Reeves says
I have your site for a subscriber to your site for a while, but I cannot find the link anywhere to download the home management binder printables. I tried to do it individually for each form through its post, but that would work for all the forms. Help!
Stacie Nelson says
Hi, Rachel,
I sent them to everyone on the list three different times during January. If you registered after that, you should get a separate email after confirming your subscription. Feel free to send me an email and I can help you!
Rachel Reeves says
Thank you for all of the printables!! They are super helpful in keeping our crazy family organized! I love your blog!!!
Stacie Nelson says
You’re welcome!! So glad it’s helpful!
Amanda Nez says
Hi Stacie, I seen the advertisement up about the Home Management Printables for free to email subscribers. I am a subscriber, but I don’t see anywhere an option to print these pages. Am I missing a step? Thanks for your help 🙂
Stacie Nelson says
Depending how long you’ve been a subscriber they either came after you confirmed your email or I sent out about 5 mailings with the link included! You’ll have to email me with the address you signed up with and I can have them resent to you! motherhoodonadime at gmail dot com
Amanda Nez says
Thanks Stacie 🙂 I have sent you an email with the email I subscribed with. I look foward to getting them!
Joy says
Hello I was wondering were you doing this for 2014. I am a email subscriber and looking for a great way to start 2014.
Stacie Nelson says
Yes..coming out near the end of the month!