Organizing

I find that I purchase many of the same things at the grocery store every single week. We tend to eat the same fresh vegetables, use the same lunchmeat on our sandwiches, and go through the same amount of milk, week in and week out. Using a master grocery list eliminates the need to remember all of those items that are staples for our family.

I used to rely on my master list every week when it was time to hit the store, but I haven't updated it for so long that it's now out of date. I need to do a little bit of thinking and a whole lot of listing. I like using an iPod app (I use Shopper) because it's easy to create a new shopping list each week by using my master template and simply adding sale and meal items to it. You could do the same thing with a computer document or pencil and paper.

To make a master list:

1. List the grocery items you buy every week or two. Just pretend that you are making out this week's list. If you still aren't sure what to include, keep a copy of the lists you use at the store for the next couple of weeks. You'll likely see a pattern. I do not write down those things I only purchase occasionally. This list is for the things we regularly need and use.
2. Write down a build-to number. We go through the same quantity of many items every week or two. I can count on buying six cucumbers and three pounds of lettuce every single week. We use one bottle of ranch dressing, two gallons of milk, and one package of colby cheese. Usually. But we may or may not go through exactly the same amount each week. Using my build to number, I can double check that we don't have a bunch of produce I've forgotten about, and I can see how close my supplies are to the quantity we'll need to have on hand.

When I sit down to make my grocery list, I'll begin by checking this master list. I'll mark off anything we already have and change the quantities to reflect what we actually need to buy to reach the build-to number. Then I'll take my grocery pre-list and add the sale items I don't want to miss. I'll finish up by jotting down any ingredients we need to round out our meals. Easy....well, at least easier than trying to wing it!

Click to learn more about 31 days to {a better} ordinary and to find links to all the posts in this series.

Linked to Raising Homemakers.

Any organizational system that's too complicated or detailed is doomed to fail. Same holds true for a filing system. It needs to be easy enough to stick with and just detailed enough to be useful.

That's why I like the simple filing system I'm using again, now that I have my cute new expandable file. It's how I manage the paid bills, financial statements, and important papers I need to keep track of. For the most part, all I have to do is plop everything into the file each month.

But since the countless papers that enter our home don't go straight from the mailbox to the file box, I need a way to sort and store everything for the short-term. I'm determined to keep the stack of mail off the kitchen counter, so my usual system of letting everything pile up until it starts to drive me crazy won't work anymore.

As an alternative to the pile-until-crazy-system, we decided to label (and hopefully use!) the hanging wall file that's in our hall:

This is where I put bills or important papers that need dealt with when I go through the mail everyday. Now my husband knows exactly where to look when he's ready to take care of the finances.



This box holds the paid billing statements and other important items that need filed away. My husband pays them; I file them. Now we both have a place to put them.



I have papers and information that just won't fit into a category or file. This is where I know to look for those random things. I'll continually go through this box to see what I no longer need. I also use this space to hold a large manila envelope for restaurant or service coupons and a couple smaller envelopes for receipts.



This holds the high school handbook, small homeschool catalogues, notes, and any other school-related papers I may want to keep.

To keep this wall file from becoming bloated, I am adding "empty files" to my weekly to do list. One day each week I'll quickly sort, trash, or act on what I've been dropping in. With some luck (and a little work), our mail and papers will stay under control.

Click to learn more about 31 days to {a better} ordinary and to find links to all the posts in this series.