Amid my Organizing Frenzy in January, see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here, I got the inspiration combined with the urge to create a Family Notebook to try to keep all things organized!
There are tons of free {and not so free} printables out there to get you started if you’re so inclined, or you could just whip up your own in word or whatever to completely customize what you want.
First of all and MOST IMPORTANT {to me anyway} is to start with a cute binder! You are more likely to utilize it if it’s something pretty to look at!
This one came from good ol’ Walmart and was only a few bucks. I adapted Iheartorganizing’s labels to be a bit bigger, printed it on regular paper and attached it with clear packaging tape.
Mine is veeeeery simple. My three categories are Menu, To Do, and Recipes.
I used this free subway art printable for my cover page and picked up some post it divider tabs… you know, the kind that peel off and on.
I am liking the Menu Planning printables. I love having the spot on the side for the grocery list which I sometimes use to list out what I’ll need for my 5 meals in one hour routine.
Keeping them all together helps me keep track of what we’re eating and all that.
My To Do’s are pretty cool too.
I’m big on lists and this ‘weekly to do’ gives me enough room for all my daily lists on one sheet.
My recipes are kind of my attempt at a Recipe Binder, though I like having them here for easy access when I’m planning the menu for the week.
I created these in Word and just typed up all my favorites that were on cards or random scraps of paper. Recipes I had printed from online I just left as is. When I run across a new recipe to add, I can just pull this up and pop in the details. Just in case you wanna try it, here’s the file you can download. The fonts won’t be the same, but you will have a starting point to adjust as you like.
My Notebook’s “Home” is right on the kitchen counter in our Office Zone.
I like keeping it front and center for easy access to my my To Do list to keep me on track for the day.
I may add additional categories as I go and see what needs we have.
Your “Family Notebook” may have completely different elements based on your family… or maybe you just have a calendar and call it a day!
Check out Bowl Full of Lemons for more Family Notebook Inspiration!
Your notebook looks great, Renee! Thanks for the links and the recipe! I have a notebook half done. I guess I really should finish it =0)
Have a great Sunday!
P.S. I'm having a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to Clean Mama Printables etsy shop (really great printables), but only through tomorrow night! Would love for you to enter!
I don’t have an actual notebook, but I have an account with Cozi that gives you the option to create an online notebook. It allows me to share my calendar & lists with my family through email & texts. They can go to the website and add appointments to the calendar. With 2 teenagers, this makes my life so much easier. It also has a place to upload & download recipes. I love this function because you can also create an ingredient list directly from the recipe with one click. There is also a journal and a mobile app! I absolutely love it! It keeps my family organized and it is very easy to use.