How to Make a Home Binder

3. Is this something that belongs in this binder or is there a better place for it? Then you can ask yourself this:  Do I have a better system for that already in place or could I?

For example you have a recipe binder/book, you probably don’t need to put all those recipes in your home binder.  So, you have a better system already in place.

Here is how I went through my list.

• School Stuff – Yes it could go in this binder. I have a folder that contains the kids school info.  At the start of the school year I get rid of anything we no longer need and add the new to it.  I could add it to my home binder or I can leave it as is.  (Note to self: see how full binder is then decide.)
• Home Inventory – Yes, it could go in my home binder. I also keep it in my emergency binder.
• Contacts/Address Book – I have a small address book with lots of addresses in it. I also have all the address I send Christmas cards to in my Christmas Planner.  I think I would create a phone list and add it to my home binder.  When I had time I would add addresses, but it is not needed right now.
• Emergency Info – I have emergency info in my Emergency Binder. Although having a copy of it in your home binder would be a good idea, like a master sheet.
• Home Maintenance/Repair – Yes this goes in your home binder.
• Utility Info – I may combine this with my phone list or emergency info. You definitely should have your utility information in your home binder.
• Cleaning Schedule/Plan – I always thought that this was the main reason for a home binder. So, because of that I will definitely put this in my binder.
• Projects – I want to keep a list of projects that I want done around the house in my binder. Examples would be paint the kids rooms – save color ideas, redo bathroom floor, organize cabinets, raised flower beds, etc.
• Long Term To Do List – I will probably combine this with projects. To me they go together.  My personal long term to do list I keep in my planner, you know like read the whole bible, read 12 books in a year, exercise, etc.  When I think of this long term to do list I think about building a patio, redo the kitchen, etc.  See why I would combine this and my projects.  Projects are my to do list.
• Menu Planning – I have always wanted to menu plan. It usually lasts a week…lol.  I really want to get into menu planning, so I will either keep it in my home binder or start a binder just for that.
• Freezer/Pantry Inventory – I feel like this would go well with the menu planning. I will keep it where I decide to keep the menu planning.
• Calendars/Birthdays/Special Events – A home binder would be a good place to keep this kind of information. I however have a holiday planner, so I feel this information would work in it in its own section.  You can check out my Holiday Planner here.
• Recipes – I actually have a recipe binder that I made. I will continue to use it instead of adding them to my home binder.  I’m actually thinking about adding the Freezer/Pantry Inventory and Menu Planning to my recipe binder.
• Grocery List – I have a dry erase board on my fridge where we write things we need from the store. I then write this list on paper to take to the store.  I will probably continue using this system.
• Pet Care – This would actually be a good place to keep information on your pets. You can also keep it in an emergency binder.
• Medical Info – I keep our medical information in our emergency binder. If you wanted to keep some info in the home binder that would be ok.
• Gift Ideas – I keep a list in my holiday planner. If you don’t have a holiday planner or don’t want to make one, a home binder would be the perfect place for gift ideas.
• Goals – I keep my goals in my planner. However, I am adding long term goals to my home binder.  Each year I can reference it to make my goals for the year.
• Bills/Budget – This is something that could go in your home binder. I actually have a binder just for my bills. I have our budget made in an excel spreadsheet on the computer.  I don’t plan to put this in my home binder since I already have a system setup. ***If you would like to learn more about how I budget and do our bills, check out this post.***
• Password Keeper – This is a great place to keep a copy of your usernames and passwords. I also keep a master on my computer.  I also have a copy in my emergency binder.
• Holiday Celebrations – I have a Christmas/Holiday Planner just for this. It is its own separate notebook/binder.  I absolutely love it.  You can put this info in your home binder as well.

Now that we have made our list and decided what we are going to put in it.  It is time to put it all together.  Come back in 2 weeks or on November 13, 2024 and we will do just that!

Stay positive, stay motivated, and make today amazing!

With love and encouragement,