Weekly Challenge #1 Home Management Binder

This week A Bowl Full of Lemons has the Home Management Binder as their weekly challenge.

I already have something pretty much like what she is talking about. Last fall I found the Mom's Chore Chart by Motivated Moms and loved it! It makes me keep house so much easier with a daily cleaning and Bible reading schedule.

Some of the things she suggested to include are children's schedules, to do, blogging, etc. Xavier is pretty little, so we don't really have a schedule for him yet. He is at our whim. He isn't in any classes, but he does go to school 2-3 days a week. That changes each week depending on our needs, so that is not something we need a tab for.

Here is the layout of our binder:

I used some paper I had from Christmas, I felt this was the least Christmasy.
I love this photo of us!
 I didn't want to use color ink (I am so cheap!), but it looks great in black & white.

Inside

Annual Calendar for a quick glance

Tabs of the folders.

I organized my binder by dividing into months. I have a tab for each month with 2 Decembers because the new pages come out in December. Thus I can organize the pages for the new year, while still having the current December pages available.

At the end of the month, I move the folder to the back of the book. This way I can always easily access the current month.

I used plastic folders with tabs. They were a little more pricey than a couple of other options, but I like the pockets and the durability of the plastic.  

I use the pockets to put current action items, cards for upcoming events and birthdays, bills, and coupons that will be used in that month. In the above pic you can see I have an oil change coupon for March because it will be time for...you guessed it...an oil change.

Below you can see that I have an Easter card ready to send out in April.

Each month begins with a monthly calendar. On it goes the menu plan, important dates, and evening/weekend appointments. Any of the birthdays and holidays get put on in December so I am ready when the month comes.

I love the printable chore charts from Motivated Moms (I know I have mentioned them before, but I have to repeat myself). Each week is outlined with chores for the day. 

This is a new one for the binder, but I think it will be helpful to determine what we really spend as a family. It is a free printable Monthly Spending Form from Buttoned Up. I have this at the end of each month for us to keep track of our spending and better budget.

Towards the end of the binder are tabs for Addresses and Accounts (utilities and the like)

A list of the accounts and their contact info we need for utilities and such.

My goals for the binder are:

1. A way to keep us on track
2. Keep up with the household chores
3. Keep up with birthdays and holidays
4. Get that feeling of satisfaction by checking off boxes
5. Read through the Bible in a year

I really enjoy my book and have it in the command station next to the menu board and the mail slot organizer.

If you are interested in joining the weekly challenge, check out