To Do List Notebook and Organization Binder Update

I am here today with my updated organization binder and my new to-do list system. I know last week I briefly discussed making a new system for my to-do list. I needed to change something because I was constantly finding post it notes with things written down, and having to rewrite my list over and over again- enter, my to-do list notebook!

This baby was purchased at Staples and is part of the Martha Stewart collection. I absolutely love these notebooks (I already own two of the larger ones) and think that the color and pattern of this one is just adorable.

This notebook has several lists inside already, the first is my work to-do list.

(I have blurred out any sensitive information throughout this post to keep the privacy of my students and myself)

The next list is my personal to-do list

Then on the third page I have my Blog Topics list where I list things that are happening in the next month or so that I can blog about. I also would place any topics that are suggested or requested by readers on this page.

In addition to the above pages, I also have a page that outlines my blog posts for the next few weeks. It is not a definite list of topics, but I like to keep an idea of what topics I want to cover and how many "free" days I have to blog about personal things such as my weekend recap, or an exciting event that has happened. I like to plug in my organizational topics and other posts that I know I want to do first, and then add in the filler so there is a variety.

In addition to my new to-do list, I wanted to review how my organizational binder is helping me and what sections I've been using and what sections I haven't.

My tabs are labeled as follows: Calendar, Lists, Bill Payment, Budget, Spending, Saving, Style, Workouts, Gifts and Inventory.

I never use the calendar tab. Ever. I have my planner which I carry with me 24/7 so I really don't need a tab for a calendar in this binder. I am still unsure what I will put in that section but I am still thinking about it. I will let you know when I figure it out.

In my lists section, I have a huge list of projects I want to complete...

A list of scrapbooks to complete...

A plan for my dance quilt and URI quilt...

and some future home ideas...

Next, I have a bill payment check-sheet where I keep track of all the bills I have to pay and check them off after I have scheduled the payment for them. I keep track of what bills are scheduled, what ones need to be scheduled and my current balance on my credit cards on the post it notes. I update these about every 1-2 weeks to make sure I'm keeping an accurate account of what is going on with my finances.

In my budget section I keep a sheet that details all of the categories i foresee myself spending money. I make an estimation about how much I can spend in each category and then at the end of the month I fill out the actual column and calculate if I was over or under my budget goal. Keeping track like this makes me spend a lot less than I did before that is for sure!

I also keep track of every purchase I make in the spending section of my binder. It really helps me make sure I am staying on track

In the saving section I keep track of all the money I make in my paychecks and also in other ways, through rebates, swagbucks, ebay, etc...

I keep track of my coupon savings...

and keep my savings balance up to date...

Finally in the gifts section- I keep track of gift ideas for friends and family..

What I've already purchased for them..

Extra gifts I have around I could always use...

Stocking stuffer ideas...

And lists of what has been given to me so I know how much to spend on people...

The other sections of my blog aren't used quite as often, and style and workouts are mostly just for me to keep reference articles and papers in. The inventory hasn't been updated in awhile but it is where I keep track of things such as my DVDs and books.

and that's it! That's what my new to-do list notebook looks like and what my organization binder is doing these days. Let me know how you keep these things organized!

Organizing My Life!

Have I mentioned that June is my busiest month of the year?

I'm not sure if I mentioned this previously, but I am dance teacher and gymnastics coach at a local studio and so June is the month where we have all of our end of the year shows- basically everything I work on from September- June is compiled into June, making me VERY stressed!

Basically my life gets extremely crazy in June, combining all my work commitments in with little errands I  have to complete for work, throw in friends birthdays, family time, and other important dates like fathers day and I'm done for! I thought I would briefly share two items that save my life during this busy time of the year, and if I'm being honest- all year long!

The first item that I love to death is VERY VERY simple, my to-do list.

I swear by using a to-do list and am constantly rewriting things and adding to my to-do lists all day long. After I snapped this picture I added eight more items to this list and I'm sure I will have more to write on there within the hour.

Sometimes I make smaller to-do lists organizing them by category- so I might have a work to do list, home to do list, errands to do list, etc...but since June is crazy as it is, I just compiled everything onto one list. 

I am toying with the idea of having a to-do notebook that I keep with me in my purse, but we will see how crazy I get.

The second item that saves my life on a daily basis is my planner...

I love this Lilly Pulitzer planner, it is perfect for me.

Here is what the monthly calendar looks like:

And a weekly look:

In this planner I write down everything that is time sensitive. I write down my work schedule, birthdays, special dates, appointments, plans I have with friends and family, etc...

For example you can see above, that my work schedule for this week is written, but I also have on Sunday that I have a recital to attend, and an appointment to get my haircut. This helps me keep track of where I need to be and when.

As the week goes on, I also like to write other information in, for example I have written my workout for Monday and the fact that I took Tuesday off from working out. I also have written in today that I have to go to Michaels craft store and need to run errands. I also plan on checking items off my to do list today so since I have a little more time this Wednesday I can get some items on my to-do list done.

I tend to get a little more in-depth on my weekly pages. The monthly calendar I only include specific appointments and timed information because I don't like to crowd that page more than it already is.

I also have been playing with the idea of highlighting items, that is what I always did in the past, but I may go out and buy colored pens so I can designate a color to each item I write in my planner so it will color-coordinated but not take up as much room as highlighting. It would also look more uniform.

I am aware I am a little OCD and crazy about the way I organize my to-do list and planner. You might also think I'm completely nuts for wanting a to-do list notebook to carry around with me, but that's okay! =)

How do you organize your time, planner, calendar, etc?! Let me know!

Wunderlist

Recently on one of my favorite blogs, I read about a great app for organizing a to do list. The app is called Wunderlist and I have started trying it out this week and so far really like it.

On Wunderlist you can have multiple lists going at once which is awesome. Right now my current lists are:
To Do List- to keep track of daily to-do items.
Blog Ideas- any ideas I have for this blog go on this list.
Shopping- my current shopping list.
Movies to Watch- movies i see previews for and want to see.
Wishlist- Items I would like to buy but aren't part of my regular shopping list.
Books to Read- Any books recommended to me!
Scrapbooking/Photos- Scrapbooks to complete...
Ebay/Sell- Items that I need to list and sell on ebay or elsewhere.
Gift Ideas- ideas for gifts for family members and friends.
Movies To Buy- I love having an extensive movie collection and have a list of movies I would like to purchase if I happen to find them on sale.

I use my to-do list most often to keep track of my daily to dos. For example today I had the following items on my to do list:
Get an oil change
Staples
Post Office
Bank

As I finished each item I was able to check it off in the app, and it was immediately shown as crossed off which was exciting because I personally love checking things off my to do list.

I love having lists for different purposes. I used to keep all these lists in the yellow notepad app on my iphone but I like that this app is easier to delete items from each list then having to manually erase each item.

The number one things that I love most about this app is that I can use it on both my macbook AND on my iphone. When I add an item onto my to do list on my computer, it is instantly transferred to my iphone. That to me is amazing!

I still like having a hard copy of my to do list- and this app allows the opportunity to print one out which is nice. I still love to make my paper and pen to do lists and cross out everything as I go throughout my day.

Sorry for all this nerd talk about to do lists, but I'm sure there are a few more nerds like me out there who want to be constantly organized and make miles of lists every day!

How do you organize your to do list? Do you have an app on your phone or are you an old fashioned pen and paper person?