If you want to know exactly how to make a Home Management Binder then this post will teach you in an easy step by step way. Learn exactly how to create your own binder, add the categories and tabs, and start to use what will become your homes manual!
This is the 3rd part of my mini series of posts about Home Management Binders – and is possibly the most important. If you’ve missed the first two and want to go back to them first, then please click the links below: –
HOW DO I MAKE A HOME MANAGEMENT BINDER?
My Home Management Binder (Which I call my Home File) couldn’t be more simple to put together, but it has the potential to truly transform your home file.
The general gist is to grab a folder, print off (or create your own) pages, and start using!
Easy, hey!?
As with all good systems, they are simple to create, and require just a little time and effort to pull together – but you’ll be reaping the rewards for years to come.
– so let’s go through the steps you need to create your very own file:-
THE STEPS NEEDED TO CREATE A HOME MANAGEMENT BINDER
STEP 1 – GATHER WHAT YOU NEED
To create your own home management binder you need the following items:-
ITEMS NEEDED: –
- Some sort of folder(s) of your choice (size, colour etc…. to work for you – 4 holed works best for A4) – THESE ARE MY FAVOURITE
- Dividers / Tabs that will enable you to find things easily and manage the file better – CLICK FOR MY CHOICE
- Plastic covers. I put all planner pages in plastic covers for a few reasons which I will go through later in this post… It’s also useful to have a few at the end of the Home File to put any receipts / vouchers you have.
- Hole punch for your required sized folder (4 holes ideally as these keep the papers in the file so much better – THIS IS THE ONE I HAVE**)
- Pens of different colours – you could have a colour for different areas, or each person in your home etc…
- Label Maker – to label the tabs neatly (you can of course just use a pen if you prefer) – CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ONE I USE**
- Printables / Checklists etc… to add to your Home File to enable all notes to be taken easily. You can either create these yourself using the category help in the this post, or you can get my printables which have been all done for you and are ready to go, by taking a look at my HOME FILE planner available now.
STEP 2 – USE THE CONTENTS OF THE HOME FILE TO LABEL SECTIONS
There’s a LOT of information to keep in a Home File, so it makes sense to use sections to be able to find things more quickly.
I like to use a label maker for this** as it makes the finish so much more clean and tidy, and I use the main headings from each planner within my Home File (there are 6 in total – CHORES / MAINTENANCE / FOOD / BUDGET / HOLIDAYS / FAMILY).
Adding the tabs to the file will ensure it’s ready for adding in the Home File sheets (a later step).
STEP 3 – ADD THE COVER PAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE FILE
Create your own cover page or use the one provided in my Home File – but having a cover page on the front of the file completes the look of the Home File really nicely.
I love the Staples Better Binders for this, because you can slip a cover into the plastic sleeve that it allows – which is a real added bonus as it will keep things looking more professional and last longer.
STEP 4 – ADD PLASTIC FILES TO THE FILE TO PUT YOUR PLANNER SHEETS IN
Because I like to use some sheets in the planners on clipboards and on the wall, I don’t want them to have holes in as that doesn’t look as nice – so I put all the planner sheets in plastic folders within the file.
This means I can simply pull out what I want and use it.
It also keeps the pages clean and wipeable, makes them quicker to flick through when looking for something, and allows me to print off extra sheets (for example, meal plans) and keep them all in the same plastic sleeve.
STEP 5 – ADD ALL THE PLANNER PAGES TO THE CORRECT PLACE IN THE FILE
Add in the pages that you want to have in your file into the correct place (using the contents pages as a guide).
STEP 6 – FILL ALL THE PAGES IN WITH YOUR INFORMATION
This takes quite a bit of time, as you are literally dealing with everything related to running your home, but it’s such a lovely thing to do as it can easily get rid of all those little bits of paper you have had around the house.
Think of how free you’ll feel when you can get rid of the noticeboard with leaflets and business cards all over it, and the pile of letters you’re keeping for certain bits of information….. they will ALL be gone when the Home File is up and running.
So – go through and add the information to the Home File and then recycle the paper – perfect!
AND….. RELAX!
You can now relax, safe in the knowledge that you have all the information you need at your fingertips – and you really won’t know how you did without one for so long!
How to create a Home Management Binder – Step By Step – all done!
I LOVE my Home File and wouldn’t be without it.
Everyone knows where they are, it’s specific to our needs as a family, and can be updated and altered as we change.
… if you’re ready to grab your copy of the Home File to print out and set up, then you can save yourself loads of time and effort and make use of mine – get your copy right HERE.