December 30, 2013
How to Combine Your Planner + Homekeeping Binder
Let’s keep things SIMPLE! Today I’m going to show you how I merged my homekeeping binder and planner into one wonderfully simplified binder.
This was a pretty simple project with a big outcome. The whole purpose of a homekeeping binder and a planner is to have a central place to keep your calendar and other important home items. For me it’s like my brain on paper. I feel so much better with everything written down – it’s less to remember and I can keep track of important items like home maintenance, bill paying, and my cleaning routine. A checklist for me is half the battle when it comes to getting things accomplished – they simplify things for me.
If you have a planner and/or a homekeeping binder, consider merging the two to save space, time, and your sanity. For me, it’s great to have everything streamlined and in one place.
Start by choosing the format you want to use. You can use a 3 ring binder or a discbound system or a notebook. I held off on the discbound system for a while because of the cost, but I have to tell you it’s totally worth it (for me).
Next, you’ll need to decide on the format size that works for your life. My personal preference is 8.5×11 for many reasons – I can write in the larger format a little more easily, pages from school or other mailings can just be punched and added to the binder, and I can still take it with me if I need to, but I keep my planner at home in my kitchen or office most of the time.
Add dividers for your sections – you’ll need to determine what sections you want, but here are some ideas to get you started:
- calendars
- daily
- blog
- business
- home maintenance
- fitness
- money
- menu
- kids
- cleaning
Add pockets for stickers and other accessories you want to keep handy. I use these little stickers to make pages and to flag little reminders in my homekeeping planner.
Once you’ve decided on the size and format of your homekeeping planner you need to FILL it! That’s the fun part (says the girl with the printables business). Start with a printable planner or calendar first. Once you have that in place add to your categories. This doesn’t have to happen overnight or in an afternoon, but as you add checklists and to do lists I’m guessing you’ll find that it’s a huge time saver and organizational tool and you’ll continue adding to it. For me, the calendar, cleaning, and bill pay sections are the most important and helpful for tracking items during the month. The Streamlined Life Bill Pay Kit is an essential and has really helped us with tracking and eliminating debt. If it’s cute and functional, I’ll use it – if you’re the same, you’ll love the kit!
Here’s how a little infographic on how I filled up my homekeeping planner (I used printables from my shop and The Streamlined Life Complete Kit):
Update: I give away a FREE cleaning and organizing calendar every month – look in the sidebar or previous posts to find this month’s calendar. You can start ANYTIME!
(If you like this calendar style, you’ll love The Streamlined Life Series in my shop!)
I used the following products to create put these kits together in a binder and to photograph (all products were purchased with my own money and I love them – there are no affiliate links in these links):
- Staples ARC System Desktop Punch – this works great – I love that I can pop pages in and out with ease
- Martha Stewart Discbound Notebook – I used 8.5×11 in the pictures, but I also have the 6×9 size and I love that to!
- Martha Stewart Discbound Accessories – I use the pockets and the dividers
- Martha Stewart/Avery Tear drop color coding stickers – I’ve been using these for as long as they’ve been out and I love them!
- Flair Pens and Target brand mechanical pencils
Jessi Says
Just a note for those who love a disc binder. Staples has a less expensive version now. I purchased one for work and kept my more expensive one for personal use. Love them!
Jane Says
I’m with ya let’s go! #cmstarthere
Catherine Says
How do I get the calendar to print with actual words? All that comes out is blurry lines where all the writing should be. I saved the document as well and once it is saved and then opened, it only shows blurry lines there, too. Please help so I can get my cleaning under control! Thank you so much for this free resource!!!
Annette W {This Simple Home} Says
I appreciate your monthly calendars! I’m not one to want to print something each week, though I see the value of all the details. If the budget were different, I would be adding your printables to my household binder. Thanks for the ones you do offer for free!!
Aimee Says
There are only blurry lines when I print it too. I love this calendar, so I hope I can figure this out 🙂
Becky Says
Post authorI emailed it to you too Aimee! Make sure you don’t have it in ‘preview’. There’s something with MAC OSX that defaults to preview instead of Adobe Reader. Once you’ve verified that, make sure you have the most updated version of Adobe Reader (free):
get.adobe.com/reader/
Kim Burningham Says
I couldn’t get it to load in firefox but google chrome worked fine… havent had this issue in the past.
Melissa Says
Thank you so much for such a valuable resource!
Vicki Says
I am so excited to get this going! I have chronic migraines so my organizational skills have gone downhill & it really frustrates me! This is going to help so much!!! Can’t wait to share with my support group 🙂
Tiffany Says
I have a Mac as we’ll can you email me too! I love this and am excited to get a handle on my crazy house! Thanks for everything!
Becky Says
Post authorsent 🙂
Tiffany Says
Thank you for your promptness!
This may be a dumb question but i don’t care. What do you mean by the Catch-All day on Fridays? Is this a catch up day or something?
Becky Says
Post authorIt’s a day to catch up – see here:
http://www.cleanmama.net/2014/01/start-here-weekly-cleaning-tasks.html
Staci Says
You mentioned in this post that there was a coupon code at the bottom of the post. I don’t see it and am looking purchase your “Simplified Life” kit. Before ordering, I thought I would ask.
Thanks!
Becky Says
Post author25SIMPLIFY for 25% off!
Amy Says
I tried this coupon code and it said invalid. Has it expired?
Becky Says
Post authorYes, it expired yesterday – sorry! You can use the code 20ABFOL for 20% off if you’d like!
xo, becky
Amy Says
Thank you! Wow, you are fast! Must be due to all that organization. 🙂
Emily Says
Hi, just wondering what weight of paper do you print on?
Becky Says
Post authorcardstock and 28# bright white
xo, Becky
Ramsey Says
I ended up combining my planner and binder in the middle of last year and it made things so much easier! I still have my binder for important info and things but adding the cleaning, finance, and meal planning sections to my planner helped me stay more on track since I had it with me all the time!
Nicole Says
Hello!
I have been eyeing different printables from all over and nothing really “felt right” , nothing “clicked.” I have been on a whole home organization kick for the last 5 months now. I made a command center, I’ve made binders (mix-match free printables from all over the web. as a temp until i decide which i loved) I ripped apart all my kitchen cabinets only 2 days before Thanksgiving just so I can re-organize them all, made my own detergent, bedsheets in pillowcases, the whole nine, etc. etc. etc. I spent about about month + just reading blogs, well more like skimming and using them for tips. I actually never came across your blog but I did come across your ETSY shop. Your printables were marked as one of my “favorites” for when I was ready to take the plunge (I act like I’m buying a car). Well last night around 9pm as I finished cleaning dinner I had some groceries left over from my shopping trip that I left out because I wanted to use a pantry tracker for inventory and I figured I’ll keep them out and find one quick (HAHA! I don’t make “quick” decisions when it comes to printables) and start that little project of utilizing a pantry inventory printable. Fast forward 12 hours, its now 9am and I am putting together my discbound notebook with your “the everything simplified kit.” Yes! I took the plunge (haha) and you are my favorite. There’s a reason though, as i began my journey last night for a pantry printable, I was browsing your shop and I thought hmmmm, I wonder if she has a blog I don’t think I ever saw one associated with these printables. Click, click, click, honey. I’m home!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! I found you! and now we shall be friends forever! haha! Everything you write “clicks” You are me, I am you, We are one! lol! I am crazy, sorry! lol But, I really loved everything about your blog, ideas, BINDERS (well discbounds, ya know what i mean), and most importantly the simplify challenge. I really would prefer to stay on one main blog instead of wasting all my time scouring the internet, blogs, pinterest for ideas. I’m sure at times I’ll have a wandering eye and I’ll be unfaithful but then I’ll open my beautiful housekeeping SIMPLIFIED notebook stare into it and snap back to reality and realize how good I really have it here. LOL. I actually have so much more to say to you, I really just wanna have a convo one day, ya know just chat over some coffee haha, but what I am really commenting for is I do in fact have a question about your notebook. I just combined, exactly how you did I printed each page onto cardstock and I was going to start laminating some pages. Which pages did you laminate, if any? I saw in your older binder you had mentioned laminating but I wasn’t sure which you found were best done that way. Another question I had wassssss, what markers do use that wipe off easily? I saw you recommended the papermate ones from target but I wasn’t sure if that was what you used on the laminated pages. My concern with a dry-erase marker would be it wiping off to easily? Butt, you’re the pro so you know best lol. Let me know what you think?! Can you tell I am super excited and totally just rambled away?! But I’m sure you can understand why! When something just works, especially in the world of organization its like angels singing on a beautiful sunday, it’s like all the kids playing a game nicely, getting along and giggling. Yes, THAT GOOD! HAHA! Well thank you for listening to my ramble and I appreciate your blog, YOU, and taking the time to listen! Have a great day and hope to talk soon!!!!!! Oh and I totally would be posting my phone number to you right now if this wasn’t a public forum with a note saying; “you are my organizational soulmate. Will you call me please and maybe go on a date: check one: yes ____ or no _____
Don’t worry, youre not the only person who thinks im insane, hubby left for work this morning just shaking his head and my 2 year old does the same hahahaha!
PS. (yes I’m still talking lol) I really have been dying to start a blog, I know thats a WHOLEEE different topic but is it super hard? Any advice for me, like YES ITS AWESOME YOU SHOULD DO IT! OR STAY AWAY!!! LOL thanks again! 🙂
Becky Says
Post authorThank you so much for your kind words AND for your purchase!
To answer your questions….yes, the Paper-Mate markers aren’t dry erase, I use those for writing in my homekeeping planner or for writing notes, whatever – I love them and the colors they come in! Dry erase markers on laminated pages – I used to do that more than I do now, but they’re great for pantry and refrigerator inventories, calendars, and daily note pages – I like a fine tip dry erase marker or a wet erase marker. This is a great one:
http://www.amazon.com/Staedtlers-Non-Permanent-Markers-Assorted-STD316WP4A6/dp/B0007OEDSO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1389453202&sr=8-4&keywords=extra+fine+tip+dry+erase+markers
Starting a blog? Yes, I love blogging. My best advice is to start blogging about something that interests you!
I hope this helps and WELCOME!
xo, Becky
Linden Says
This looks so nice, and is such a great idea! But I have a question: the title says you are combining your planner and homekeeping binder, but in the pictures it looks like you still have the 2 separately…?
Becky Says
Post authorHi Linden! It’s all in the very same binder 🙂
Linden Says
Oh! Did you just have both binders in the picture to show the different size options?
Becky - Clean Mama Says
Yes!
Erica Says
Hi Becky! I love your binder. I wanted to know can I print your planner pages for size 5.5 x 8.5.
Becky Says
Post authorThanks Erica!
Yes, you can resize printables:
My printables are formatted for 8.5×11 but they aren’t designed to be reduced unless you have a printer that can accommodate – here are two posts that I’ve done that give some more explanation:
RESIZING:
http://www.cleanmama.net/2013/01/how-do-you-re-size-printables.html
2+ TO A PAGE:
http://www.cleanmama.net/2013/06/how-do-you-print-2-pdfs-on-one-page.html
I always recommend to try it out with a free printable or two and see if your printer accommodates.
Amy A (aka Princess Aim) Says
just wanted to say that I love your printables. bought a couple of sets today. I linked you on my blog (see link above). thanks for creating a bunch of what was in my head but I couldn’t create myself.
Amy Says
I absolutely love what you have done. Your pages are beautiful and combining the two together is genius!! Is there anyway you would consider putting one together for me with all the pages and dividers and all the bells and whistles (goodies). I have no access to computer or a printer and I would be willing to pay for time and supplies, postage and delivery. It would be such a HUGE and BEAUTIFUL blessing to me and my family. Please email me at amyejoyce2009@y7mail.com
Becky Says
Post authorUnfortunately that isn’t something I can do at this time but it’s on my radar – stay tuned.
xo, Becky
Olivia Says
I want to find the binder you use, but when I click the link nothing comes up? I’ve looked on Amazon and Staples but can’t seem to find anything? Do you know of anywhere else I can find it?
Becky Says
Post authorUnfortunately it’s been discontinued 🙁
Christie Says
This is great information! Since you do not carry it with you what do you do to schedule appointments when you are out and about?
Becky Says
Post authorThanks Christie!
I usually take an appointment card and transfer the info when I get home 🙂
xo, becky
Melissa Says
If you’re looking for the Martha Stewart ARC system, from what I can find it was discontinued some time in 2015. 🙁 There are other ARC binders available, but not in this gorgeous color. 🙂
alyssa dunn Says
Hi! I would really like to have these specific printables – but I don’t see them on your etsy shop?!
Becky Says
Post authorI’ve simplified the products in my shop – sorry!
Hayley Says
where do you get your binder i love it?
Becky Says
Post authorStaples!
Tina Says
Just found this posting on Pinterest and…I’M SOLD!! Honestly, this is exactly what I was looking to do in my life, I just couldn’t figure out how to go about it! I even tried dabbling in BuJo for a while, but it wasn’t working for me in the way I wanted it to…
ANYWAY! I actually just have a quick (potentially dumb) question for you! You said you print out your own pages, but the Martha Stewart disc-bound has multiple discs… so how do you make holes that line up with the notebook? Is there a fancy hole puncher that does this or do you make the holes yourself? HOW DOES THIS WORK?? haha. I think this is something that I really want to try, I just don’t understand how you are able to use your own printable pages in the MS Notebook. Any clarification would be super helpful. Thanks!!
b r Says
Post authorYou’ll need a disc bound punch to punch the pages 🙂