http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp6EENkcpPM&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLCE8232ED6F18D7F0
Visit my You Tube Channel here. (If you can’t view the video, try this link.)
If you’re just starting to use an organization system, do not get overwhelmed! This video is just to give you an idea of what I do, but the key to staying organized is finding a system that works for you.
Here is a detailed list of each of the sections of my binder and what they contain:
Click the purple links to read more about a planner page or to print it.
ALL FORMS ARE FREE FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE, BUT PLEASE DO NOT PHOTOCOPY THEM OR SHARE THEM WITH OTHERS. Please share the link to my blog instead. Thanks so much!
Inside Binder Pocket: Copy of my Weekly Goal Planner to keep my priorities for the week in plain sight.
I use colored plastic dividers with pockets on both sides in these sections:
Today: Copy of my Weekly Planner so I know what I’m doing each day. If there is a lot going on I may choose to use the Daily Planner for the day.
Immediate Paperwork: Papers (other than bills) and correspondence that needs to be dealt with ASAP.
Big Picture: Goal Planner with long term goals, Calendars (One Year Planner with birthdays, One Year Planner with seasonal activities like storing winter clothes, swimsuit shopping, spring cleaning) and Schedules (gym class schedules, etc.)
Food: Copies of my Weekly Meal Planner, my grocery list, a list of meals to help me with meal planning
House: Home Project List, important contacts for house related items like warranties, leases, etc.
To Do: Long Term Projects and the papers associated with them
Finance: Bills that need to be paid in the left pocket, Password Keeper for all on-line accounts, budget
School: Homeschool attendance record, Reading List, Weekly Subject Planners
Husband: Personality tests (to remind me how he works best), What Your Husband Really Wants printable, Date ideas, Articles on how to have a better marriage
Parenting: Divided into sections for each child. Contains personality tests for each of my children (read more here), important medical information, passwords for their online accounts and ideas of things to do with each of them.
To see all of The Peaceful Mom Printable Planners, click here.
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks so much for this. I just started using a planner about a month ago and still find it a bit overwhelming. I really enjoy seeing other peoples. It give me ideas on how I can tweak mine. Thanks for sharing. BTW, love your blog, keep up the great work.
My pleasure Carol! I actually just used a daily planner for the longest time and then added pieces slowly. It doesn’t help if you won’t use it, right?
Thanks for the encouragement too!
Love this post! Lots of good info! I also love you sitting out on your ‘newly redone’ back porch!
Thanks Alycia!
This is AMAZING! An perfect timing for me to find. I’ve been looking for “the perfect” plan for some time now – something that I write down the kids’ school schedules, my goals, my blogging tasks – all in one place. I think your binder idea might just be my answer as I haven’t been able to find the right planner yet! Thank you SO much for sharing all your great sheets for free!
I love that you put a section in for your husband, too. It shows he’s a priority in your life and what a great reminder of that when he’s in the book you’re looking at every day. Thanks for that idea and your example in that, too!
And, I’m off to print off those Focus on the Family sheets for the kids, too!
Thanks so much Tanya! It is a challenge to keep the right priorities with everything there is to do, but I’m trying!
I love this. But I am too right brained to handle such organization. LOL
Haha! Believe it or not, I am rather unorganized myself and had to work up to this level!
Thank you for this. I decided that my take 10 this week will be to start building my binder. I know it will help so much when it is complete. I’m starting with the finance section.
You are so welcome Diana!
One thing that I didn’t mention in the video is that when I put a bill in the Finance section I write the amount and date due on my weekly planner so I don’t miss paying anything on time. Happy Organizing!
How inspirational! My little one is just a baby now, but I can imagine all the uses for the planners just with her. I also love the “husband” section! I am still a bit shy about trying something like this though; I can do pretty well at first, then these things fall out of use. I’m sure I have some extra supplies “laying around” so that I could get started without having to put a lot of money into it at first.
I know what you mean about things falling out of use Heather. That’s why it’s important to find something that works for you and to make it a part of your daily and weekly routines.
I actually started with a daily planner page first which I posted on my fridge. I got in the habit of checking it throughout the day to keep me on track, then I slowly added things until now I am using a binder. I don’t look at every section every day, but the tabs are there to remind me to keep everything important in mind. Blessings on parenting your little one!
Thanks for sharing your binder! I started a “household manager” binder years ago after seeing one on an organizational tv show. I love it! I showed it to my MOPS group, and they thought I was an organizing guru – and kept asking me back several years to share it with others.
I had to laugh, because I don’t feel organized at all – but in this one thing, i guess I was! 
With 5 kids – I need all the help I can get to keep things accessible when I need them or forget.
Don’t worry if it’s not as organized as Kimberlee’s! (we can strive for it though! 
. . . ) Everyone’s binder will contain different things and look different. I have some of the same info – but organized in a different way (or should I say – not so organized . . . but it works for me!)
I am realizing though, that it’s time to update my binder and change it some to meet the needs of my life now. I have used it more as a static resource tool (with kid’s schooling info – teachers, numbers, etc, phone lists, monthly menu-plans, etc) – but not much past that. I am thinking about possibly creating a new one that focuses more on my goals, daily things, etc – that I will pull out every day to look at (my other one stays between my fridge and microwave for reference. It was a great resource when my parents would watch the kids for extended times and needed info on friends phone numbers, school info, etc).
Thanks for inspiring me to get organized a little more. Now . . . to find the time! Guess I should get off the computer and just do it!
Blessings!
L
ps – to those that feel overwhelmed . . . just pick 1 thing to start with – like important phone numbers, or financial info, etc. Next week (or next month) add something else.
Lori, that is such a good point not to get overwhelmed!
For the longest time I had only a piece of paper on the fridge with my list of things to do for the morning. Once I got the hang of it, I added more. I have worked my way up to this binder.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. 
Thanks so much for sharing. I don’t think that I will have one that intricate but I do believe starting is only the beginning to what will work for us here.
Thanks again!
Hi Rena! Definitely make it work for you. Simple is good.
I came across your blog today from Sugardoodle, and I have to say I think you are fantastic! I think you are an amazing woman and great example!
Thank you so much Marykaye!
Great blog!! Sincerely appreciated!! Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much Danielle. Glad you like it.
I have been desperately searching for a way to organize my life. Three small kids, lots of appointments, full time grad school, and two extremely part time businesses make for an extremely unorganized mess. Thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome Maria! Just make sure to adjust it to work for you.
Just wanted to say THANKS for all of these great ideas- seriously!! Everything from parenting, to marriage, to Christianity, organizing, budgeting, and recipes! Finding this blog full of ideas was such an answer to pryer! thanks and God bless!
Kimberlee,
I just happened to surf the net and came across your blog. You are quite an inspiration. I would love to be one tenth as organized as you. I am putting together a weekly planner today, because of you!
Thank you so much for the free downloads, they are helping me go forward in the right direction.
I am now a regular reader of your site!
Rita
Hi Rita! I’m so glad you found me.
Seriously, I am glad that you are finding some helpful tools here.
I just found your blog and I’m loving all the info!! I am a sucker for personality tests…did you have a link for the one for husbands (and i’m assuming wives too!!)?
Hi Julie! I’m so glad you like the blog. Unfortunately the personality tests were paid for professionally, so I don’t have a link for those but you can find a free couple’s personality test here (scroll down): http://smalley.cc/free-personality-test
Thank you so much for this information.
You are very welcome Regina.
Thanks so much for all the wonderful info and lists/sheets for a planner. Definitely will be using them! Just a suggestion for the bills. Like yourself, I write on the outside the amount and date due, but the slot I put each bill in is on the day that it needs to go out to make it there in plenty of time. It works great for us anyway!
That’s a great idea. Thanks Becky!