Does anyone have a household binder/notebook?

[MoneySavinDiva]

I'm thinking about starting up a household binder/notebook so I have a central location where all of my budgeting stuff, bills, emergency plans, etc. I was just wondering if anyone else has one of these? If so, where did you get your printables for them, how is it set up, what categories do you have, etc. etc. I'm looking for inspiration (I love pics too ) as I've never had anything like this before, but I can totally see where it would streamline the lists/paper part of my life.

[jen276here]

I do! I keep it mainly for monthly bills. I only just started doing this, so I was still thinking of adding a few things yet - like a family calendar, general medical info, and emergency contact info (which at the moment is on my fridge - but I was thinking of expanding it to include things like the gas co, electric co, and phone co phone numbers.)

Mine is a very large binder with huge 'U' shaped rings. I have a folder for every separate household payment (mortgage, insurance, cc, etc) then I have a folder for medical bills, taxes, and misc. On the front of each folder I have one of those adhesive CD pouches for anything small but important. On the inside cover of the back, I have a cd pouch for envies, one for stamps, and one for return address labels.

It took a little getting used to, but when the mail comes each day, I don't put it aside, I go through it right then. All bills to be paid are either written out right then and their statements filed, or they are put in the inside front pocket 'to be paid'. It really does help keep down paper pile ups and any accidental bill misplacement (lost in the paper pile up, kwim?! lol)

If you can wait, I will post a pic after DS goes to sleep (when he sees the camera, he goes crazy! lol)

[MoneySavinDiva]

A folder for each bill is a great idea! Right now I have a budgeting notebook that I use to budget out each pay check, but no folders so the bills just get tossed in a drawer and I have to really dig to make sure I have found them all when it comes bill pay day. I'd love to see pics!!

[zansammommy]

I don't have one but great idea.

I do know FlyLady has something like this because my sister has a big purple binder that has all the important stuff in it. (Family friend knows to grab the purple binder if something happens to them, miltary family)

I am sure you can go to their website and copy their ideas.

HTH

[cma2a17]

I have a household binder as well! I have a two pocket folder in the front that holds "to be paid bill statements". After that is a sheet protector that holds a 3 month budget worksheet (created in Excel & printed out myself) and a cheat sheet with all my online user names & passwords. I use manila file folders that I hole punched (you can get a box of 100 pretty cheap and I've found these are more durable than divider sheets). Each folder holds paperwork for monthly statements (for example, one for mortgage, one for car pmt and such). On the inside of the folder, I wrote my account number and any important information for that folder (such as mailing address, phone number, monthly pmt amount, etc.). I also keep my Flex Spending Account ppw filed in my binder. I use cheap sheet protectors to hold small items as needed. Hope this helps and you find a system that works for you!

[MoneySavinDiva]

Originally Posted by cma2a17 I have a household binder as well! I have a two pocket folder in the front that holds "to be paid bill statements". After that is a sheet protector that holds a 3 month budget worksheet (created in Excel & printed out myself) and a cheat sheet with all my online user names & passwords. I use manila file folders that I hole punched (you can get a box of 100 pretty cheap and I've found these are more durable than divider sheets). Each folder holds paperwork for monthly statements (for example, one for mortgage, one for car pmt and such). On the inside of the folder, I wrote my account number and any important information for that folder (such as mailing address, phone number, monthly pmt amount, etc.). I also keep my Flex Spending Account ppw filed in my binder. I use cheap sheet protectors to hold small items as needed. Hope this helps and you find a system that works for you!

Your binder sounds amazing! Thanks for all the details, you've helped me to get ideas to start putting mine together!!

[NIGHTB1022]

I don't have a binder, but I do have a filing cabinet with file folders in it of everything. Years ago I did the binder thing and it got to be a pain when it started to get thick and then just drop that puppy one time while it's open and you will see what a pain it is to refile it all LOL.

I actually just got the cheapest metal 2 drawer file I could find, a box of pendaflex folders which comes with the tabs and blank labels and a box of file folders. I keep the file in my closet.

[cybilx10]

In my office at home, I have a file cabinet that I keep all of my receipts and past bills in for the year. Also in the filing cabinet I keep all of my sons school work or papers that come home each week, important papers for items at the house (registration cards, manuals etc) in another folder I keep all of my receipts I will need for my next years taxes and anotehr folder for gift cards and restaurant menus.
But in my desk I found a little book (from ltd or some company like that) that has a place to write down what each bill is, when it needs to be paid, the amount and when you pay. It also has a pocket for each month to keep the bills in. I love it.
On my wall in my office I have a white board and a cork board. On my white board I write the things I need to do either for the day if I am home or for the week while I am working. On my cork board I pin up important papers that I need to hold on to or turn in for my son on a particular day. I also pin up my appointment cards and such also for easy reference.

[Abbybob]

I'm bringing this thread back from the beyond.. We are going to start using a family binder for 2011 to help me get just a smidge more organized and see if it helps us save anymore money. I used some of the free pages available from organized home dot com. I'd love to see photos of everyone's systems (binders, folders, etc.) for inspiration. I started assembling it about 2 weeks ago, I just have a few more things to do to get it set up. I am also going to start keeping an inventory of our pantry and keep it in the page protector taped inside the door of the pantry.

Our theme for 2011 is "Simplify and Save". I'm really hoping this binder helps.

[TiggerToo]

Sounds like a great idea. Abbybob, why don't you be the first and post a pic of your beginnings! Since this thread was started way back when...we can begin 2011 with a fresh start! We would love to see what you have started!