I was wondering what you use to keep yourself organized. I use my planner and have a file for bills.
Lisa

Lists,lists, and as a back up options,lists. Since having Children my brain cells have frozen and if its not on the days to do list or on the calander forgeddddit!

Hey that was mine too :D...My DH always says that I need lists of my lists to keep everything straight

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Hey all,
I am using the same principles as I did when I worked...which is to take on the day like it is a job and to accomplish what I would if I had to please a boss. Now the boss is me. Anyway, I am making myself get up ,shower ,dress and a little make-up before the kids get up. If I don't do this early I find I will go all day in a T-shirt and sweatpants. I also just started to use the system that someone posted a few days a go about the baseball card protectors for sorting coupons. This has worked great. I also try to always go to the store on the same day of the week, early in the morning when there is no one in the store. I find if I go in the afternoon I get frustrated with all the people and I forget things or won't use my coupons. I also made a binder for our family which is a simple 3 ring binder with sheet protectors and tabs to separate the sections. I have phone numbers for every thing..kids friends, doc, ortho ect. I also have put in there anything that is pending for the kids..up coming info on sports events, permission slips to be signed,school pic forms that have to be returned, anything that I have to do that I need to keep the info for, but not ready to be filed in to a file or thrown away. Someone on this board suggested the OrganizedHome.com and it has printable forms that you can use for your binder. TThe mommysavers website has been so helpful to me, after having my third child I found my self being overwhelmed and I have used a lot of the info that everyone posts. Thanks...
Cyndi

I find that having a specific place for things really helps me- I always put my keys in my purse and then put my purse away in the same spot (out of reach of kids, LOL). I store in my coupons in a certain spot on top of the refrigerator. I always put the diaper back pack away in the same spot. This has helped to cut down all the time I spend searching for things. I even have a basket for stuff that I don't know what to do with yet or don't have time to work on yet.... I know right where it is, waiting for me.

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I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

My best tool is the trash can. I get rid of all junk and trash!

I'm a list maker...I, like Kelli, should have lists for my lists....but it works for me. My bill binder...I can't live without it now...I put the bills in the pocket, write the due date and amount, then the check # and date paid after I pay it. Last but definitly not last...my calendars...yes calendarS...I have 1 on the wall (for birthdays and events) and then the dry-erase one on the fridge, that ALL information, and things to do goes on.

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I have everything on a central calendar where everyone can see it. All the kids are color coded so I can see who needs to be where at a glance. I have a filing cabinet that is organzied & purges every couple of months. I also use a PALM, data organizer, that has a calendar, the checkbook and all my lists so that it is all with me all the time!

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I also have a central calendar. When the kids or anyone else bring something home or in the mail I immediately write it down on the calendar. Since I set my schedule at my other jobs its paramount that when I say I can write unless something unknown comes up that I can actually work on the days I say!

When the kids bring home their year calendar of activities from school this gets transfered to the central. I try and make an effort to keep everything as Simple as can be.

Junk mail hits the trash RIGHT away, if I think I'm going to look at an ad I put it next to my computer. If I haven't looked at it by the next night I ditch it. I 'm too busy. If its a bill I put it in a drawer beside me on my desk and when its paid I put it inside of a folder under any that might be there so I know it's taken care of. I write the date, amount and online or check number.

With the kiddo's I have them lay out their clothes every night so when they wake up they are on track and know what they are doing.

I used to spring out of bed and hit the floor running and figured that I would shower after I got a work out etc. However, now i have realized that I have to hit the shower FIRST because I get SO busy during the day I have to litterally stop in my tracks hit the shower and then run out the door. It's better if I just put all the stuff on my list to the side for a moment and get that out of the way.

and to lists. I check the calendar every night and IF I think I'm going to forget write down what is on the agenda forthat day. I keep an eye on events further out in the month/next month and just try and keep up with what is going on. Its the stuff that I don't know that gets me

Laundry and housework, I am a VERY organized person, and anal about cleaning. However when I had my 2nd dd it threw me through a loop and I have been using flylady's pointers on some things that seem out of control. you can check her out she's awesome. It's hard for me mentally when the house isn't "perfectly" clean. So I have had to really really work on not freaking out and taking this one step at a time. That is where flylady comes in. To keep up on the kitchen and laundry I do a load of laundry every morning and at night run the dishwasher every night no matter how many dishes are in there. Every morning I unload the dishwasher, then all day long as we use stuff we put the dishes in the dishwasher and the kitchen stays clean. We keep a laundry basket in the bathroom cabinent as that is where 99% of the laundry is and I empty this every morning if possible and that keeps laundry down.

I write down groceries as we need them and keep a list for shopping. This helps with expensis. However lately prices are out of control so I'm afraid the lists only go so far now

For me as long as it's clean and oraganized in my house I feel on top of things, when it gets dirty and cluttered I feel cluttered and disorganized and start misplacing things and can't keep on top of things. For my mental and physical well being I also declutter on a regular basis.
That's it, hope it helps.

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~Home is where your heart is~

I have started the Flylady again and I feel more organized than usual! I have routines wrote out for everyone. School starts tomorrow!!! We will see how the routines go!! The boys (3) help with theirs to make it their own. Thanks Lisa