Household notebook

Below is a great article. I take it a step or 2 farther by using a notebook for each divided section. I buy the 1/2" binders for 99 cents. I have also converted my business to binders as well. I have a contract binder, contacts/past customer binder, current business binder, and etc. I divide the past contacts by month so I can send birthday cards every year. Everything get is own binder. No more filing cabinets or file folders.

The Household Notebook - Explained
by Nicole Humphrey More from this Blogger
24 Jul 2006 01:01 PM
Having a household notebook can be a blessing. It's an easy way to keep everything in place and find what you need when you need it. It also saves time and money, and as we all know, saving time seriously does save money in the long run.
A household notebook is what you make it, however it's an organizer for the entire family, sort of a command center for the entire family, if you will. I will explain how I put mine together and how it works for my family. You will need to customize your's to fit yours and your families needs.
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The process is very easy to get started. The very first thing you need to do is decide that types of categories you want in your notebook. You will need to evaluate what you are going to be storing in the notebook and what types of information you need or want available all the time.
My personal categories are as follows:
Calendar
a monthly calendar for each month with everyones activities written
Family
My Family section contains the following information:
a personal information page for each of my family members
a recent photo of each member of the household
a master list of birthdays, anniversaries, deaths and other occasions
a magazine subscription list with phone and account numbers and renewal information
a master list of our DVD's and movies, as well as CD's and software
our library card numbers and information for the library's website
a master list of gifts that we have in our gift cupboard for last minute birthdays
a clothing size chart
Home Management
My Home Management section contains the following information:
a stain removal guide
the names and address' of our utilities
recycling and clothing drop off locations
our household inventory
our household storage inventory
children's chore chart
Meals
My Meals Section contains the following:
a favorites recipe sheet
a master grocery shopping list
a price book sheet for finding the best deals at which stores
a place to hold coupons
a menu planner
a freezer inventory
a well stocked pantry inventory list
School
My School section contains the following:
a school information page
a 2006-2007 (or current school year) calender
class rosters
classroom schedules
lunch menu and schedules
field trip notices
important dates
extra book report forms
reading lists
phone numbers and email address' for teachers
Phone Numbers
My Phone Numbers section contains the following:
take-out/delivery phone numbers
emergency phone numbers
an address book with friends and family
a frequently called number list
the school buzz book
a babysitters needed numbers sheet
Financial
The Financial section contains the following:
my personal budget record
checking account statements
bills to pay
a list of our credit cards and how to contact them
insurance information
warranties
car records
Legal
My Legal section contains the following:
contracts
agreements
legal forms
legal papers
my lawyers information
Health
My Health section contains the following:
medical information sheet for each family member
medical authorization forms for each family member
an up to date immunization sheet for each family member
first aid kit checklist
a how-to card for CPR
prescription drug record
insurance information
contact and eye glass prescriptions
Holidays
My Holidays section contains the following:
a holiday planner
a countdown to Christmas planner that starts about six weeks prior
a master Christmas card list
a gift idea list
a catalog and website ordering tracker sheet
a holiday decoration inventory
an ornament inventory including where it was purchased and when
a holiday menu planner with recipes
a holiday shopping checklist
Pets
My Pet section contains the following:
pet information sheet
veterinarian records
shot records
a recent photograph of each pet
Miscellaneous
My Miscellaneous section contains the following:
yard sale checklist
wish lists for various things
things to pack for a camping trip, vacation, etc.
anything else I don't have a section for
Employment
everything having to do with my home business
resume's
a few current paycheck stubs
an employee handbook, etc.
Watch for the next article for a deeper explanation of these categories and what they contain.