Tuesday, March 15, 2011

33 March Challenge: Project "Household Binder" {Finance Checklist}

All free printables mentioned within the post are now expired and available for sale!  Please check out my Etsy Shop for a large selection of personalized printables to fit all of your household organizing needs!


  Thank you!


In January when we tackled our papers, I shared a little bit of how I handle our incoming "bills", by tucking them into my planner pocket...

This binder is giving me a new system that I am really ecstatic about!

So far we have found a binder, added tabs, chosen categories, created a cover page and added an Auto Log!

Today I have created a Finance Checklist.....


It's a simple tool for us to list our monthly bills, the day of the month they are due, and then track by month, that we paid them {by either checking off the month, or I plan to actually write the amount paid in each month's column}:


I tossed the document into a page protector in my binder that I can easily remove during bill paying day.  And it will always act as a checklist of sorts to ensure I am not "forgetting" anything!

And the paper statements that come in, will just get tucked into the handy tab's folder pocket until it's paid and sent back out!


And I am also sharing the PDF with you!

click HERE to download PDF

 ** Remember, these free printables will only be free for this month, so snag them while you can! **

And another thing that I wanted to mention that I have found to be incredibly helpful already with this binder, was the addition of a pencil pouch to the back, which holds pens, a calculator and my binder hole puncher!


**UPDATE!**
A reader mentioned she actually tucks her checkbooks in her finance binder for when she pays her billz... GENIUS!  I now do as well!



So what do you think of this project so far?  Love it?  Hate it?  How about your finances, anyone have a great system or checklist that is working for them, to keep their bills in order and to ensure nothing goes forgotten?


I decided a little challenge would be fun! This month we are creating a Home Management Binder!  Wanna Join in?  Take photos and blog about your awesomeness as you go!  I am hoping to do a giant, "We did it!" celebratory post where we can all link up our binder creating success stories at the end of the month!
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33 comments:

  1. elizabethashleyphotoMarch 15, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    LOVE this project! You have definitely inspired me to get my own binder in the works!

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  2. MelissaMarch 15, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    I LOVE it! :)

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  3. AnonymousMarch 15, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    This is great! I am also following Toni over at A Bowl Full of Lemon's posts about finances this week also. So thankful for you two to get us in tip-top shape! :)

    I actually just wrote a post about organizing finances this morning and created a printout similar to yours! LOL

    http://littlesliceofmyarmywifelife.blogspot.com/2011/03/organize-your-finances.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. sara d.March 15, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    aaaa?!? what am i doing wrong? i cant download any of the printables?! i tried the finance log and the cover sheet?!?!
    PLEASE help!

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  5. sara d.March 15, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    NEVER MIND! i got it!! :)

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  6. Momof2MinionsMarch 15, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    You so rock! Thanks for the free printables! They are so much prettier then something I would create on my own (they normally look like reports I generate for clients at work aka. grey, blacks and BORING).

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  7. MelanieMarch 15, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    LOVING IT! I am right on board. I wait everyday for you to post. lol.

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  8. ChadzgirlMarch 15, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    can't download printable... i must be doin somethin wrong! I must need to learn how to work my computer better :)

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  9. JameeMarch 15, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Loving this project! Can't wait to see the finished product!!! Thanks for the awesome free printables! On tonight's agenda - filling out our movie inventory sheet and labeling our movies!

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  10. Suki LottiMarch 15, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    I procrastinated on the photography challenge but this time I decided I'm doing it as soon as I read your posts. I love these challenges! You do so much for us.

    My bills are not really a wreck. I mean, a lot of things are set to auto pay but sometimes I forget which bill is set to which date. This log will help with that!

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  11. AmyMarch 15, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    I have used microsoft money for 10 years! I love it. And now I have a place to keep pending bills...in my family binder :D

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  12. ter@waaomsMarch 15, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Thank you for the printable.

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  13. PriscillaMarch 15, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    I love this project. It is fun to look forward to what you will present next. Thanks a million Jen!

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  14. KatrinaMarch 15, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Thanks so much for the printables, keep them coming :). I am loving this project.

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  15. JennMarch 16, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    Thanks again for the fabulous downloads!! I am so excited to get this project finally finished {I started it a couple of months ago and never finished} I linked back to you in a post. :)
    Jenn

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  16. TriciaMarch 16, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    I'm loving this! I just found your blog, but I've been inspired to start a household binder to get our house a little more organized! This finance checklist is a great idea! Most of our bills are paid online, but it sure would be nice to have this to look and know right away how much we're paying a month. Thanks. :)

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  17. MaurikaMarch 16, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    I LOVE this project. Thanks again for all the printables. My binder is looking really pretty!!

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  18. [in training] julie bApril 4, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    A friend just shared the printouts she got from your site with me today and I was SO excited to check them out for myself but realize that you only had them available for March. Is there any way to still get them? I've been looking them all over and it is such a great system you have put together. - Julie

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  19. IHeart OrganizingApril 4, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Hi Julie!

    The printables are actually still available through the end of this week! They are all listed over in the sidebar under the "about me" section.

    Thanks so much!

    xoxo,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  20. Tara at Padded Tush StatsSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Just a quick question, is there a particular reason why you learn more towards this format (paper) versus an online format (like mint.com)? Or I see you pay your bills by mail, is there a reason for why you don't do it online? Sorry to ask, I am just having budget issues and need some help.

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  21. IHeart OrganizingSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    @Tara,

    Great question! I am the kind of gal who loves to write everything down and visually have it when I need it. I haven't fully made the switch to digital calendars and planners or budget trackers, since I find I do better when I physically write things in. It's totally a personal preference. As far as paying the bills online, right now I pay 90% of them online when I can, the others come as paper statements and require a check {clinics, water, etc...} I haven't set up our banking to do online payments yet {haven't made the time to go to the bank to fill out the paperwork}, but it's on my to do list since I hear it's a great option.

    xoxo,
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tara at Padded Tush StatsSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Sorry, one more question. I am curious about your financial checklist. Do you use this to track your income as well? Or do you use your budget form and then copy that same bill amount on this form as well? Sorry to pester you with these questions, I am in dire need of getting order in my financial life! Also, I have to tell you, you have totally revolutionized how I live my days. I am so much more productive now. My husband has even complimented me on how awesome our house is looking.

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  23. KinseySeptember 26, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Thank you so much for the inspiration! I just finished our own binder and it already feels so good to have everything in one place. :)

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  24. AnonymousOctober 27, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    I do everything online so I use my google calendar to keep track of everything that needs to be paid.

    I setup recurring monthly entries for the bills that need to be pay as well as the amount that is due. I pay my bills on payday (twice a month) so after I have paid the bill online I then remove the entry for that month. It's nice to see the calendar go from super full to empty. I also tend to pay as many bills as I can even if it goes into the next month, that way I'm sure I'm not late with any payments.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousDecember 10, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Wow! I envy your organizational skills/talents!
    I keep track of all the bills paid via checkbook register. My husband writes a check for cash..and out of that comes any expenses such as prescriptions, gas for our 2 vehicles, eating out,tips, groceries,office supplies, my weekly bowling expenses, etc.
    Retired couples don't have the expenses that a younger couple with children have.

    I'd love to be able to set up some type of expenses form to help us keep track of our spending. When we sit down together and think about where the money goes, we know we don't blow it. We don't scrape on groceries but I'm sure there are ways that we can reduce the grocery bills by using coupons,watch for sales,
    cut back on junk food to name a few. Clipping coupons got to be such a hassle and took up a lot of time. Where do I find the baseball card size sleeve protectors?

    With my ADD, I tend to start many projects and get sidetracked and then nothing gets completed. It is a constant struggle for me. With the weakening economy, our investments aren't increasing, like they did 6 yrs. ago. Even though our prescription plan pays a lot, my husband is a diabetic and takes so much medications..that's where a lot of our money goes.

    I found a form for expenses, but a lot of the categories don't apply to us. How can I manually make one up? I didn't see anything like an Expense form on your website/blog.

    I will sign as Anonymous for personal reasons.

    ReplyDelete
  26. IHeart OrganizingDecember 11, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    @Anonymous -

    Thank you for your kind comments!

    I use Microsoft Excel to create the printables. It's a great program for tracking personal expenses as well!

    Hope that helps!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  27. ShannonDecember 30, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    Love this idea, wish I had seen it when it first posted!

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    Awe - I hate I missed it when the budget was a printable - Thank you for this idea! I'm going to start working your ideas. I appreciate them. Thank you,
    Liz

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  29. Apr522January 10, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    I have been working on my own binder starting this year and have been so inspired by your posts. I love knowing someone else appreciates organization and has a great creative eye! Your colors are so fresh, I almost want to organize my finances. I'm only sorry I didn't find you sooner so I didn't have to make my own spreadsheets. :) Obviously, from the comments posted you have helped so many people! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2012 at 11:29 AM

    I just came across this blog of yours and I have to say, I LOVE it! The finance (bill paying) checklist is awesome! I have tried to create one myself and never end up truly liking them. I see you used to have a link up to download that form for free; however, it now has expired. Do you mind sharing again?
    Thanks! Carrie
    carrie.l.jones78@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. .sarah.October 15, 2012 at 6:42 PM

    I have been looking for a good bill checklist forever now. I have tried making one and it never ends up how i want.
    Iam 100% in love with yours.
    I know that it expired forever ago, but would you mind sharing with me?
    I would be forever grateful!!!
    Thans
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. IHeart OrganizingOctober 15, 2012 at 8:49 PM

      Hi Sarah!

      I actually sell the documents in my Etsy shop now. You can find them here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/72262031/personalized-monthly-budget-printables

      and here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/81286571/personalized-finance-checklist-printable

      xo!
      Jen

      Delete
  32. Adri JoDecember 30, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    not free anymore? LAME!

    ReplyDelete

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