7 Cost-Effective Ways Parents Can Stay Organized

Parenting is hard enough without worrying about staying organized. Between work, school,
extracurriculars, and social obligations, it can be tough to keep track of everything. The
good news is that there are a few cost-effective ways for parents to stay organized and save
their sanity in the process.

Here, Organize with Anne presents a few helpful strategies.

1. Get a Family Calendar

A family calendar is a great way to keep track of everyone’s activities in one place. Plus, it’s
easy to see what’s coming up at a glance to plan accordingly. You can find inexpensive
family calendars at most stores that sell office supplies, or you can create a calendar online
using your images.

2. Use a Whiteboard or Chalkboard in Family Spaces

Whiteboards and chalkboards are inexpensive and can be found at many office and
homeware stores. Making Learning Visible explains that using one of these is a great way to write visible reminders for yourself or your family about anything from upcoming events,
chores, mantras, or even leave love notes.

You can also use it to keep track of important
phone numbers or addresses, and use it to work through difficult homework problems
together.

3. Use Index Cards for Quick Notes and Reminders

Index cards are perfect for jotting down appointments, grocery lists, or other important
information. They’re also small enough to fit in your purse or wallet to take them with you
on the go. Most stores that sell office supplies carry index cards.

4. Plan on the Go

A notebook is an easy way to keep track of ideas, appointments, and to-do lists on the go.
Throw it in your purse or backpack to take wherever you go. You can use a planner to keep
track of your schedule and help you stay organized throughout the week, month, or year.
You can find planners at most stores that sell office supplies or online. 

5. Create Designated Places for Things

It’s much easier to put things back when they have a designated place to store them. You
can use simple tricks, like color coded tubs and cubes to help kids know what goes where. If
you have a slightly larger budget, you can remodel a spare bedroom to be a playroom or
home office where the appropriate items can be organized and stored accordingly. In
addition to the organizational benefit of designing a – or even building a new – room like
this, you may find that it increases your home’s appraisal value, too. Keep any receipts for
updates or additions so you can reference them if you later choose to sell your home.

6. Get Kids to Chip in With Chores

Getting your kids to help around the house can sometimes feel like herding cats. No matter
how much you nag, plead, or bribe them, it seems like nothing gets them off the sofa. If
you’re at your wit’s end, never fear. Try a chore chart, which you can buy or even print
from an online template.

Of course, there has to be some consequence for not completing assigned chores. It doesn’t
have to be anything drastic. Habyts suggests that maybe they lose privileges like screen
time or going out with friends if they don’t complete their tasks.

7. Keep Important Documents Safe

The documents that hold your child’s medical history and school records are not just
important. They often have a sentimental value too, which is why it’s vital to ensure these
and other files don’t get lost. You can easily save that PDF and save it on the cloud, so you
have access to the file whenever you need it – like when you forget a vaccination card at
your child’s annual check up.

If you happen to run your own business, too, then you’ll want to enact similar practices for
digitizing files and receipts for safe, consistent access. Then, look into finance apps and
accounting software that can help you to store and track your finances. These tools will
help you to keep your business budget on track, and you will be ready for tax season when
April rolls around.

8. Plan Affordably and Effectively (Bonus!)

There are countless ways for parents to stay organized during the school term and beyond,
but not all are cost-effective. The methods listed above are affordable and will help you
keep track of your family’s important documents and activities without breaking the bank.
And if you need help creating a customized organization plan for your household, contact
Organize with Anne for a consultation.