How to Organize Your Household Data

Grab a colorful binder, then customize it with a family photo and colorful card stock. Here's what you'll need to organize the inside: divider tabs, sheet protectors, business card pages, interior folders, zip pouch, pencils and markers.

To streamline this project, pull everything together before building your binder. Gather contact information for neighbors, doctors, teachers and your kids' best friends. Include information like monthly bills, your family's insurance agent and policy numbers so you can quickly consult a one-sheet without digging through piles of mail.

The beauty of this type of binder is that you can customize it to your liking. We suggest you create a table of contents for the following to start:

Emergency Contacts: Important phone numbers everyone in the family should know

Contractors: Handymen, plumbers, HVAC and other maintenance pros

School: Email addresses, teacher names, phone numbers, calendars, hours and addresses

Childcare: Go-to babysitters, rates and a just-in-case neighbor

Insurance: Home and auto agent information and additional policy details

Medical: Contact information for your insurance plan, doctors, dentists, therapist, etc.

Keep the binder easy to use by including plenty of tab dividers so everything is at your fingertips (especially if you're in a rush).

Encourage everyone to use pencil so you can easily update the binder on the fly. All family members should review it carefully on a quarterly basis so information is always up to date.

Create an emergency contacts page with very important numbers (VINs) and keep it at the front of the binder. Then, create a special tab for each family member (VIPs) with a cover sheet that includes basic information like date of birth, close friends' contact information, class schedules and more. This is also a great spot to jot down all after-school activities with details like their coach’s names and contact information.

Don't forget to include the family pets! Key information about their vet, sitters, past medications and ailments can be kept in this section. So, if a pet is injured or becomes ill, everyone is in the know regarding who to call and where to go.

You may want to include important household information regarding the yard, home maintenance, pest control and general upkeep. Seasonal reminders are a good way to track this type of information.

Gather frequently-referenced business cards stuck in junk drawers or on the refrigerator, and slip them into a card organizer. Start collecting cards from your go-to handyman, plumber, landscaper and more (if you don’t have them already).

If you have a big family or plan on accessing the binder frequently, make sure every page is inside a sheet protector. Your binder's paperwork will stay intact longer.

Don't forget to also include any accessories that will make your notebook that much more flexible and functional. Think folders for brochures and important documents and zip pouches for pencils and markers.