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My Labeler and Colored Tabs

One of the reasons I hate to see summer end is that it means I have to get more organized.  Back-to-school for the kids means back-to-routine for me.  This is usually a good thing but it's always hard to do for me.  I am not a naturally organized person and I find it hard to organize myself and my family in the usual ways. 

I have to confess that I spent my life trying to think up ways to better organize myself.  I thought I was just stupid or careless.  After my oldest daughter was diagnosed with some learning disabilities, it turns out that I have the same issues she does as far as staying and being organized. 

If I put something AWAY----most of the time, this paper or file is lost to me.  So it's very important to keep things in my sight, giving me some kind of visual trigger so that I can find it. 
I am about as far from a naturally organized person as you can get but I have found a few ways to help myself stay on top of the mountains of paperwork that come home from school.

I have developed some systems and I have some tools that I can't live without that I want to share with you.  If you are not a naturally organized person, some of my tips might be able to help you.  Here are a few of the items I can't live without in my quest to organize my family for the school year:

My Labeler
I have to label EVERYTHING.  If I can't see where I am putting something, I need to put a label on it so that I can read the contents of a file or drawer.  My label obsession is the source of endless jokes by my kids and family.  But it keeps me from getting things lost and helps me stay organized so I take it all in stride.  I love my labeler and have gone through a several models.  My labeler of choice?  The DYMO LetraTag.  It's about $20-$25 depending on where you buy it and the exact model you get.  I got mine at Target but you can get one online by going to ecomofficesupplies.com

Binders
I have binders for each child as well as binders for my household receipts and papers.  You could say I am a binder fanatic.  But I use binders much more effectively than I use files for materials I need to access frequently. I just buy plain 2" or 3" binders, with lots of dividers and it really keeps me from losing stuff.

Electric Hole Punch
This saves me and makes it very easy to put stuff in binders.  Get one.  It's a splurge but so worth it.  My electric hole punch and my labeler have saved me from endless hours of frustration and loss of the all important school paperwork.  These start at $80 (I know, it's a lot) but it will pay for itself in peace of mind.  Trust me.

Bright Tabs for Files and Unique Files for Different Subjects
I buy bright tabs for files so make sure I "tag" important files.  I also buy unique file folders, bright and unique, for various subjects.  This gives me a visual trigger for the subject or task at hand.  I showed some great file folders I got from Office Depot in a post earlier this month about kid's school supplies.

Clear Storage Boxes and Bins  
The Container Store and other organization stores have clear storage boxes that I can't live without.  I need visual clues and triggers and if I can see something, I can find it.  These containers are great if you are like me.

I would love to get tips and advice from you about things you do to stay organized.  I need all the help I can get!  What do you do to stay organized?  Please let me know.  Here is a list for you to see the stores and places I get my supplies for organizating the homefront:

• Office Depot
• See Jane Work
• EComOfficeSupplies