Records in the Household – Part 2 – A Pretty Housekeeping Card File
So we’ve been working on putting together a housekeeping card file.
Today we’re going to talk about what goes on in a card file.
About the Housekeeping Card File System:
You may have heard about this way of setting up your household system from the Sidetracked Home Executives. I first read about themEmilie Barnes in an old Emilie Barnes book but later read the SideTracked Home Executives version too.
I tend to gravitate to Emilie Barnes’ books because of her views on making the homemaking process a beautiful one. And I love the way she paints a pretty picture, let’s you know it’s okay when things aren’t perfect, and reminds us that God loves us. Things are decorated and made to be attractive not just serviceable and that is how I feel about my home too.
So, yes, while I could make up this Homekeeping Card File in a day with the plain white index cards I have on hand and the nondescript plastic index card box I already have….
This is something that needs to have certain aspects to motivate me. It will need to be cute and appeal to me to make me want to open it each day.
To give you an idea of how pretty a Housekeeping Card file can be I’m going to leave you with some examples of some well put together Housekeeping files.
Ready to jump on making your own?
Supplies
1 3×5 index card box
7 tabbed dividers
index cards of various colors
Directions
1) First label all of your dividers as follows
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Quarterly
Twice Per Annum (or year)
Annual
Storage
2) Next go to your first section, Daily. Make an index card for every housekeeping thing you need to do on a daily basis .
3) Go to your weekly section and make an index card for each day of the week. On those cards put the items that need to be done on that day. For example on Mondays I clean the household bathrooms (why, oh why?). Wednesday and Friday are errand days. Keep it simple. You can always make more cards as you find if the system will work for you.
4) In your monthly section label an index card for each month and then on that card put the items needed to do for the month.
5) Repeat the same process in the Quarterly, Twice per Year, and Annual sections. Write up what you will need to do during those times. For example changing furnace filters, or preparing for the garden are seasonal items you can fit in here.
6) The Storage section comes into play with labeled boxes. After decluttering Emilie advises you to pick up what she calls “Perfect Boxes” and use them for your storage. Label the boxes 1 through how ever many you have. Then make an index card for each box. Put the name on the top of the card. You know, “Box 1” etc. Now list what you have stored in each box and and where the box is located. Now when you need something you’ll know where to look.
We’ll talk more next time…
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