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| A website for Latter-day Saint families searching for a house of order |
| Calendars & Filing Systems |
Over the years, I’ve tried various filing systems to keep on top of all the mail, kids’ school papers,
memorabilia, and paperwork that pile up on my desk. The ones listed below have stood the test of time
for me.
CALENDARS
Everyone does this differently, but I like using Microsoft Outlook on my computer to keep of track of my
calendar. I can send family calendar items to my husband at work which he then can place in his calendar.
I set up Tasks for myself all the time and use them year after year. I love how I am reminded to get a
physical, or take the kids for their semi-annual dental checkups. I enter all the items from my "Weekly,
Monthly, and Yearly Task" list.
I've tried monthly, and annual calendars, but my favorite is an erasable 2 month calendar hanging in the
kitchen. I love this! It may not be as cute as some calendars, but the daily squares are large enough to
write items for our large family. After I purchased this, I cut it in half so that I could move the month on the
right to the left as each month changed. At the end of each month I erase old items. I use "Goo Gone"
with a paper towel, instead of dry erase cleaner. Then I write calendar items pertinent to the family on it
for everyone to see. A similar one (At-A-Glance® Undated Erasable/Reversible Wall Planner, 30/60 Day)
can be purchased at Office Depot for about $24.00. It is worth it.
DAILY FILE
The items I put in my Daily File are ones I need access to daily. I use a portable desk file that holds
hanging files. An example is the Pendaflex® Super Decoflex®, 5 File Folders, 9 1/2"H x 12 3/16"W x 6"D,
from Office Depot and costs around $11. I keep the following hanging files in it:
Calendar – For all kinds of calendars such as school, stake, sports, etc.
Bills – For bills to be paid and future purchases.
Phone Lists – For all types of phone lists.
Elementary School – For all paperwork dealing with elementary school
Middle School – For all paperwork dealing with middle school
High School – For all paperwork dealing with high school
Mission – A catch-all for paperwork from my son’s mission
Website - For all paperwork dealing with my website
Christmas – For gift ideas, etc.
To Be Filed/To Do – I use a basket for these items instead of the portable desk file because I can carry it
places with me. I also clip bills written but waiting to be sent on this basket.
MEMORY FILE
I use another portable desk file for this and it has decreased clutter tremendously. I have a hanging file
for each of my children, and one labeled family. I can put piano recital programs, certificates, pictures, etc.
into a file for each person. Then at a later date, it will be organized and put away in a Memory Book.
Please take a look at “Simple Children’s Memory Books” for additional ideas.
BINDERS
Sometimes topics need more room so I put them in a 1” binder, and place them on a shelf above my desk.
Binders I’ve used include:
Scout Binder – each boy has his own to hold awards and advancement items
Mission Binder – a place for memories from my son’s mission
Home Decorating – Holds magazine pictures of ideas for decorating, and future home purchases
Family Goals Book – This has a tab for each child and is used in goal setting sessions. Please see “Family
Goal Notebook” for additional ideas.
Food Storage – This notebook holds food storage lists and tips.
FILE CABINET
There are many things you can put in a file cabinet. Each year I take out financial files and put them in a
box. Files I’ve found useful:
Bills - utility, etc.
Checking/Savings
Church - Talks, thoughts, callings
Credit & loans
Dog
Insurance – Auto
Insurance – Homeowner’s
Insurance – Life
Insurance – Medical
Kids – college prep
Kids – savings
Medical Records
Pay stubs
Taxes
Warranties – Audio/Video
Warranties – Furniture
Warranties – Garage
Warranties – Household items
Warranties – Kitchen & Bath
Warranties – Sports
Warranties – Yard work items
Just so you know, my desktop still has papers on it, but I feel much more organized and can find most
things our family needs.
Happy Organizing!
memorabilia, and paperwork that pile up on my desk. The ones listed below have stood the test of time
for me.
CALENDARS
Everyone does this differently, but I like using Microsoft Outlook on my computer to keep of track of my
calendar. I can send family calendar items to my husband at work which he then can place in his calendar.
I set up Tasks for myself all the time and use them year after year. I love how I am reminded to get a
physical, or take the kids for their semi-annual dental checkups. I enter all the items from my "Weekly,
Monthly, and Yearly Task" list.
I've tried monthly, and annual calendars, but my favorite is an erasable 2 month calendar hanging in the
kitchen. I love this! It may not be as cute as some calendars, but the daily squares are large enough to
write items for our large family. After I purchased this, I cut it in half so that I could move the month on the
right to the left as each month changed. At the end of each month I erase old items. I use "Goo Gone"
with a paper towel, instead of dry erase cleaner. Then I write calendar items pertinent to the family on it
for everyone to see. A similar one (At-A-Glance® Undated Erasable/Reversible Wall Planner, 30/60 Day)
can be purchased at Office Depot for about $24.00. It is worth it.
DAILY FILE
The items I put in my Daily File are ones I need access to daily. I use a portable desk file that holds
hanging files. An example is the Pendaflex® Super Decoflex®, 5 File Folders, 9 1/2"H x 12 3/16"W x 6"D,
from Office Depot and costs around $11. I keep the following hanging files in it:
Calendar – For all kinds of calendars such as school, stake, sports, etc.
Bills – For bills to be paid and future purchases.
Phone Lists – For all types of phone lists.
Elementary School – For all paperwork dealing with elementary school
Middle School – For all paperwork dealing with middle school
High School – For all paperwork dealing with high school
Mission – A catch-all for paperwork from my son’s mission
Website - For all paperwork dealing with my website
Christmas – For gift ideas, etc.
To Be Filed/To Do – I use a basket for these items instead of the portable desk file because I can carry it
places with me. I also clip bills written but waiting to be sent on this basket.
MEMORY FILE
I use another portable desk file for this and it has decreased clutter tremendously. I have a hanging file
for each of my children, and one labeled family. I can put piano recital programs, certificates, pictures, etc.
into a file for each person. Then at a later date, it will be organized and put away in a Memory Book.
Please take a look at “Simple Children’s Memory Books” for additional ideas.
BINDERS
Sometimes topics need more room so I put them in a 1” binder, and place them on a shelf above my desk.
Binders I’ve used include:
Scout Binder – each boy has his own to hold awards and advancement items
Mission Binder – a place for memories from my son’s mission
Home Decorating – Holds magazine pictures of ideas for decorating, and future home purchases
Family Goals Book – This has a tab for each child and is used in goal setting sessions. Please see “Family
Goal Notebook” for additional ideas.
Food Storage – This notebook holds food storage lists and tips.
FILE CABINET
There are many things you can put in a file cabinet. Each year I take out financial files and put them in a
box. Files I’ve found useful:
Bills - utility, etc.
Checking/Savings
Church - Talks, thoughts, callings
Credit & loans
Dog
Insurance – Auto
Insurance – Homeowner’s
Insurance – Life
Insurance – Medical
Kids – college prep
Kids – savings
Medical Records
Pay stubs
Taxes
Warranties – Audio/Video
Warranties – Furniture
Warranties – Garage
Warranties – Household items
Warranties – Kitchen & Bath
Warranties – Sports
Warranties – Yard work items
Just so you know, my desktop still has papers on it, but I feel much more organized and can find most
things our family needs.
Happy Organizing!
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