Clutter Control and Organizing Solutions

When you are first setting up your household notebook, you might wish to use forms that have already been created for you. This of course is optional. When I first set up mine, there were not printable ones so I created my own (plus it allowed me to customize it however I wanted).

A couple of years ago I downloaded some printable sheets and wasn’t all that excited, so I created my own which I placed on my website for others to download. I plan to make those available to you to download or you can create your own so they are more customized for you and your family’s needs.

The first thing you need to do is select the categories that you want inside your binder. Suggested categories are things like: finances, school, sports/activities, legal, important info, food/meals, and plenty more where those came from. It really is something you will need to select on your own since this is your notebook and will be used by your family.

Go ahead and create tabs/dividers for each category you plan to cover in your household notebook. Also spend some time gathering together some of the information, important papers and dates and other items you wish to keep in your household notebook. This will get you prepared for putting it all together, and also allow you to see what you might need categories for.

Please let me know if you have any questions so far. I’m only just beginning with teaching you everything I can about household notebooks, but I also would love to know what you are curious about, etc.

The set up of a household notebook is relatively simple actually. It doesn’t require a lot of supplies and for the most part, you might be able to find something around your house that you already have. It’s a frugal way to stay organized while keeping everything handy.

What you need:

- a 3-ring binder. Your binder can be any size you would like, but a standard sized binder that is at about 1 1/2 - 2 inches in width is the best option if you plan to store a lot inside. I also think that pockets in the cover of the binder can be helpful too.

- paper. For obvious reasons, loose-leaf paper is the best option because of the ability to put it inside your binder without any added work. However any paper is going to work just fine if you poke holes through it.

-dividers. While these aren’t as important, they are extremely helpful in being able to separate your categories and locate the things inside quickly. You can actually just create dividers out of larger pieces of paper or cardstock.

Honestly, that is it for basic supplies. I will get to other supplies that are helpful later on, but for now these are the supplies you need and tomorrow I will cover the basics of setting the whole thing up. Household notebooks keep you organized even when you feel less that organized in other areas of your life!

A household notebook is a notebook or binder of any type or size, utilized to keep your family organized in both everyday activities as well as to store, keep and save personal information and other references handy.

There isn’t any particular way to organize it, or a right or wrong way - it is simply about what works for your family. I do however have a lot of tips to help you start, help you set it up and keep it organized and updated.

I have had a household notebook for about the past eight years but only started actively using it about four years ago. It was honestly the best thing I ever came up with. Honestly, when I started it all those years ago I really didn’t know of anyone else who did such a thing - as most of the people in my life thought it to be a pretty practical way and hadn’t ever heard if it either. Of course, in the past 5 years or so I have heard of many people who keep one, and while sometimes called by a different name - they all seem to serve the same purpose, which is to keep you and your family organized.

Beginning tomorrow, I plan to help you with setting up a household notebook for your family so that you can stay organized as well.

No, I don’t have tips for how to organize the snow you shovel, but I do have some ideas for how to keep your house clean during these months where snow and wet dirt come tracking in each time someone goes outside and then comes back. Some of these tips might have to be adapted differently for people in different cold weather climates, but overall - it does work.

When the snow falls outside, place a basket or container right inside the main door to collect all the layers of clothing as they come off. Hats, mittens, ear muffs and scarves can all be contained in one place and it makes it a lot easier to find everything. Remember, it’s a temporary fix so you don’t have to have the container or basket there year round. Just put it away in between snowfalls.

Purchase a rug or mat that can be laundered easily for right inside the front door and have all show wear placed there (including everyday shoes) - this will cut down on your cleaning time immensely and works all year long too!

Be sure that all household members have a hanger to hang their coats when they come inside. A hanging coat will dry faster than one that has just been set down or lands on the floor.

Purchase a really sturdy, extra large container to place outside your back door to corral all of the sleds, snowboards and other winter toys. If water is pooling in the bottom, drill drain holes in the bottom of the container. These work great in summer months also to keep toys contained and not all over the yard.

What’s your favorite way to protect your floors and home from the winter snow?

Have you looked around at all the self help books for organizing that are out there? I was a bit surprised when I looked last night because its been many years since I looked and back then I was in awe with Julie Morgenstern. She just took me away with her ability to focus on the reasons for having clutter and being disorganized, and at that time I certainly fit the bill for all the reasons. In fact, my problem areas are still the same reasons now that they were back then.

I love to read, and I’m kinda self-help junkie now and then and enjoy reading things like that. I am curious if others out there read books to help them in their organizing endeavors? Or am I in the majority. I have a shelf full, but honestly there are probably 50 different titles and they are all at my library and I think I might run back tomorrow and pick a few up to see what tips are out there now. Plus I love looking at all the clean perfect spaces, because while I am much more organized now than I was, I still suffer from clutter syndrome LOL.

So what was the best book on organizing you ever picked up and read? Please share!