How To Get Your House In Order In Only 5 Simple Steps (for REAL people)

Let's face it--we all want a clean house. Having a clutter filled home has actually been linked to depression for women, is scientifically bad for those with adrenal fatigue, and makes us all feel yucky. Inadequate. Overwhelemed. Irritated. You know, yucky. The bigger problem, is that while there are great ideas out there, like Fly Lady's system, and good intentions, like that superstar blogger mom who has 14 children and a Pinterest worthy house, these aren't helpful for real people. People who don't have time for a lengthy system and who don't have older kids to help with the younger ones. I need to know how to do this now, and by myself, because as much as I hate to admit it, I can't get my kids to do enough around the house that it's actually helpful to me. (there. I admitted it. I have a chore chart that no one follows. You're welcome.) I also have no mother's helper, I'm gonna lose my mind if I have to wait for my husband to get home for me to start cleaning, and I refuse to stay up until 3am to sweep my floors (I'm 30. Sleep is the new "fun".).

So here it is, folks. Here is how to get your house in order without shining your sinks, making it a "goal" to get dressed every day (seriously, just get dressed), and without any photos of my gorgeous home (that you know you'll never achieve) (actually, my home is achievable).

1) Have a bonfire. Burn everything that doesn't serve a purpose. (real deal: eliminate, eliminate, eliminate! If you don't believe me, bag up a bunch of stuff and see if anyone really needs it within the next three months. They won't. Donate, giveaway, or throw out. Sell only if you truly have the time, otherwise you know it's just going to continue to sit.)

2) Get a dog. Consider her a robot vacuum. (real deal: clean as you go. Sweep after meals, wipe the bathroom sink out with your washcloth after you wash your face, throw your dirty clothes in the hamper instead of on the floor, 

3) Mary Poppins. Study and become that woman! (real deal: make things easier on yourself. Get a steam mop, a washer and dryer, a mother's helper if you can afford one, paper towels (sometimes sanity outweighs the need to be Green, it's true), stop folding your underwear, and start using pretty bins for whatever toys and books you have left.)

4) Giveaway the dishwasher. Whatever enables you has to go. (real deal: whatever enables you has to go. Yup. That dishwasher that allows you to let dishes sit, both dirty, and clean? How much time do you spend rinsing, putting in, taking out, etc.? If you only have a sink and limited counter space, you'll get the dishes washed after almost every meal. This also means you won't need as many dishes. Which starts the cycle again of you making sure you get them clean. See how motivating this is? It applies to laundry, too--only have as many clothes as you need, and you'll be getting the laundry done a lot faster.)

5) Invite people over. Weekly in-law desert nights are on the agenda. (real deal: this works, and you know it!)

Free Printables For Your Home Management Binder

Here is everything you need for the contents of your Home Management Binder! Feel free to customize it to fit your family and needs, and watch it change as you get the hang of what you really want and don't want in it. I've divided everything into the categories I use, and it should be easy for you to download and print the forms that I have found to be the best out there. Also check out my last post that goes right along with this one: Tips for Creating Your Home Management Binder. Enjoy!

Schedules

• Daily and Weekly Chores (blank)
• Girl's and Boy's Chore/Goal Charts
• To Do List with Time Schedule (daily)
• Monthly Zones Chore List
• Auto Maintenance Schedule
• Seasonal Home Maintenance Schedule (copy and paste these to print, then write dates next to each one)
• Running To-Do List

Finances

• HSA/HRA Qualified Medical Expenses List
• Dave Ramsey's Budgets (Quick-Start, Monthly Cash Flow Plan, and Irregular Income Budget)
• Dave Ramsey's Seven Baby Steps (how to get out of debt)
• Gift List (I buy gifts throughout the year when they are on sale, so this helps me keep a running list of what I have and what I still need for the next birthday or Christmas!)

Medical

• Living Will/Health Care Proxy DIY (by state)
• Vaccination Schedules (look through and choose the appropriate one(s) for your family) or Vaccination Refusal if you are not able to vaccinate your children (search for the form if your state requires one)
• Family Health Information (have yet to find a good printable for this. Should include: Names, DOB, Allergies, Past Medical History, Insurance, Medications, Dr. & Contact info, immunizations, as well as general family history including if and who in the family tree has things like cancer, diabetes, etc.

Food

• The Food Keeper (food storage guidelines)
• Freezer Inventory
• Pantry and Freezer Inventory
• Weekly Meal Planner (two options)
• Frugal Pantry List
• Emergency Substitutions Chart (copy and paste then make the font size larger if needed)
• Measurement Equivalent Chart

Safety

• Babysitter Information Sheet (I searched high and low for one that would meet the basic criteria in an emergency situation--this is it, use this one!)
• Emergency Information 
• Home Inventory Form (I suggest putting the date and price purchased in the description/notes section)

Entertainment

• Folder with local restaurant menus/contact information (I have mine tucked in a page protector)
• Business hours and information for local movie theaters, mini-golf courses, Science Centers, museums, etc.
• Story Hour, MOPS, and other age appropriate social group information.

Information

• Birthday/Anniversary List (that's right; I write a chronological list. No template.)
• Business Cards (buy some business card holder pages for easy organizing!)
• Training Children To Be Independent
• Chore List By Age
• Breastmilk Home Remedies
• CDC Developmental Milestones (print the age appropriate one you need)
• Spreadsheet print out of all of your accounts with the Name, Login Name, Password, Account #, Website Address, Phone Number, and Due Date of account if $ is involved.
• Pet Information Sheet

As Needed

• Search online for "free printables" to help you stay organized when preparing for camping, shopping, a particular holiday, traveling, hosting a party, holding a yard sale, and more!
• Devotional lists.

PS- photo at the top of this post came from http://romanceonadime.com and it is hers, not mine. :)

Tips for creating your Home Management Binder

A home management binder is literally, a three ring binder with dividers that contain important information, menus, schedules, ideas, and so much more (I'll be giving you everything you need to make your own tomorrow!). Unfortunately, many people don't know where to start when creating a home management binder. It's simpler than you may think, though, and the effort is so worth it! You will always know where information is, have ideas at your fingertips, and will be able to manage your home more efficiently and smoothly. Here are seven tips to help you get started:

#1: Collect your supplies. 

You will need: a three ring binder (good sized), a 3-ring hole punch, paper to print forms off of your computer/Internet with, clear plastic page protectors, write on/wipe off marker, pens, tab dividers, a zippered pouch or two that will go into the binder, and a few business card page holders.

#2: Print a nice cover! 

You can download the ones in the photo for free by clicking here.

#3: Laminate/use page protectors for "to-do" lists so you can write on/wipe off instead of have to always print new ones.

#4: Keep your binder up to date.

#5: Make copies of anything really important you want to put into your binder, like automobile registrations, birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, etc.. Keep those originals in a fireproof safe or filing cabinet!

#6: Use dividers to organize your binder

#7: Get the printables for the contents of your binder. We already put together a list of everything that should go in your binder, as well as a bunch of Free Printables For Your Home Management Binder. So get clicking and be organized! :)