Memory Binders

At risk of boring your all to tears, I realized I haven’t mentioned the memory binders I keep for each of my kids. A couple of weeks ago I talked about how I organize the kids school papers. I have totes for each child in their closet for the bigger stuff but in order to keep all the smaller stuff organized by grade I use binders that I keep readily accessible in the office. These binders, from the dollar store, have page protector sheets inside, one labelled for each school year complete with the kid’s school picture and signature. Throughout the year I can easily and quickly just put the keepsake papers/awards that they want to keep right into the binder. Having one page protector sheet per year helps us to really be selective and only keep the most favorites.

I also have a seperate one for my daughter’s piano certificates and awards.


I thought I might as well show you a picture of the memory totes in the kid’s closets while I’m at it. What goes in the totes is usually the bigger keeper stuff that is too big to fit into the binders. Scrapbooks and journals for instance which usually we only get back at the end of the school year anyway. The kid’s each have room for one more tote when these ones get full but that’s it!

For me I couldn’t just use the tote system on its own. Having to go all the way upstairs everytime I wanted to put something away means it probably wouldn’t happen. Yet because I have pile phobia I needed somewhere for it all to go. The binders are an easy accessible solution for me and one that works for this lazy lady!

Head on over to Shannon’s to see more helpful tips and tricks!!

This entry was written by Org Junkie and posted on July 18, 2007 at 7:02 am and filed under Kid Stuff, Organizing Solutions. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.

13 Comments

  1. Mrs.B
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 4:22 am | Permalink

    We don’t have children but I can see how great this idea would work!

    Don’t laugh but I just bought a binder to keep my pets (we have 5) records and info in. I just love binders! (o:

    Blessings,
    ~Mrs.B

  2. Sincerely Anna
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 4:29 am | Permalink

    Great dollar store find!

  3. (Jim &) Brandy Brow
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 4:37 am | Permalink

    Great tip! I LOVE it.

    Brandy of The Building Brows

  4. The Lazy Organizer
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 4:38 am | Permalink

    I do the same things! I haven’t updated my kids’ binders for a long time. Thanks for the reminder!

  5. Overwhelmed!
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 4:59 am | Permalink

    Love this idea! Thanks for sharing.

  6. momrn2
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 5:16 am | Permalink

    I’m so glad you posted this! I was just thinking today how I really should take the time this summer to organize all their school stacks stuffed in drawers.

    I also need to create a system before a new school year hits so I don’t end up with the same crammed drawer. :-)

    I will definately consider how this can work for me!!!! Thanks!!

  7. ValleyGirl
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 1:32 pm | Permalink

    What an awesome idea. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for some binders like that.

  8. Sandy Coughlin
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 4:52 pm | Permalink

    Hey Laura! Great minds think a like :) I’ve used the binder method for years. I save everything, like you mentioned, including my kids first oral reports, our annual family Christmas letters, any special certificate, soccer pix, school pix.
    And … I use the WHITE inexpensive binders from Costco and the kids artwork goes on the outside.
    I may do a post on this some day. But what does it have to do with hospitality? HA.
    Come on over and WIN!!!
    Sandy
    For Reluctant Entertainers

  9. Twisted Cinderella
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 5:17 pm | Permalink

    Great idea! I am going to get a binder for my menu plans so that I can track all the hits and misses in my menus

  10. Faerylandmom
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 8:21 pm | Permalink

    Cool idea!

  11. Thea
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 8:33 pm | Permalink

    This is a great idea! I do love me some binders!!

  12. Dawn
    Posted July 18, 2007 at 9:21 pm | Permalink

    Great idea. I want to get the kids’ past school stuff organized before school starts so we can start fresh with the new school year. I’ll definitely be going to the dollar store to find some binders.

  13. Stephanie
    Posted July 19, 2007 at 1:13 am | Permalink

    Great idea. I also HATE piles!!

One Trackback

  1. By I’m an Organizing Junkie » Taming the school clutter…again on July 7, 2008 at 10:52 pm

    [...] Memory Binders [...]

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