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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Awesome List Ideas


Today's guest post is by Jennifer Tankersley, the creator of ListPlanIt where you can find over 350 printable lists and planning pages to organize your life and put your world in order, including the pages mentioned in this post. She also writes List Mama Blog: Lists for List-Lovin’ Mamas.


I have used lists all of my life, but in the past few years, my passion for lists has become even more pronounced. As a mother of 3 children and a business owner, I have discovered a multitude of ways that lists can make my life easier and more productive. Some lists need to be recreated each and every day, but some can simply be started and added to over a week, a month, a year, or a lifetime. Lists can be hung on the refrigerator, punched and placed into your own home binder, and/or distributed to the members of your family. Here are my favorite lists used for the different aspects of my life.

Mom's Favorite Lists

  1. To Dos – I like a page that shows an entire week that I can write my tasks and goals for each day.
  2. Meals – I use a Menu Planner to plan meals for my family for a pay period (2 weeks). From that, I create a shopping list based on those meals that I chose.
  3. Blogging – I know not everyone is a blogger, but in my case, I cannot live without my list of Blog Post Ideas.
  4. Gifts – I keep a running list of the gifts that I pick up for my children, husband, and others along the way. This prevents me from overspending for birthdays and Christmas and helps me remember what I already have.
  5. Saturday Morning Chores – I keep a list of the chores that each member of my family is responsible for on the weekend. Then I just distribute their portion of the list and check in with them to make sure they are getting their tasks done.
  6. Clothing Inventories – Every summer and winter, I break out the tubs of clothing that I am using to corral the clothes that I have purchased at the end of the last season. I have found that an inventory helps keep me in check. One year, I pulled out 18 pairs of shorts for my son for that season. They all had tags, and each tag said $2 or less, but it doesn’t really save me money if I go overboard like that. It was a good lesson to me.
  7. Travel – I am a careful travel planner, particularly with young children. I like to know how we are getting somewhere, how long it will take, where we are staying, what we may be eating, and anything else that I can plan ahead of time. A Travel Itinerary with Travel
  8. Details is a must. Then, of course, there is the Packing List, which is an absolute necessity if you want to remember the formula, video camera, or the blankies.
  9. Contacts – I keep a list of banks, teachers, restaurants, and my favorite service providers with a telephone number, address, and website information.
    Birthday/Holidays – There is so much involved with special occasions. I keep track of it all by listing everything I can: cards, guests, food, crafts, etc.
  10. Fun – I keep a list of the things there are to do in the area. I note the season for which the activity is most appropriate, hours of operation, and the cost. Then on the weekends when my family wants to do something, we refer to the list

For more great list ideas, head on over to List Plan It or List Mama Blog!

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9 comments:

Heathahlee said...

OOOooh...I am salivating over all those lists! I am a list maker, too! I just couldn't survive without them!

Debbie said...

I am not a list maker but today you have inspired me to become one. I don't remember things as well as I used to so maybe this will help me. I just hope I can find the list that I make. I am going to visit your List Mama Blog.

Have a blessed day!

Catherine said...

Oh where do you find TIME to make all these lists? I am also a list maker but usually just things to do and places to go one my errands. But these are great ideas!!

Meg said...

I like that you put you have a blogging list. I totally have one and I thought I was the only one. Hah.

Unknown said...

I've never in all my 19 years been organized. Even when I was a preschooler it made no sense to me--the HOW behind and the WHY were confusing. BUT I've learned to cope with lists. I can't go into a store without a list or I might as well go home!

Anonymous said...

This is my first visit to your blog and it's delightful! I love the way you weave faith and everyday life together in practical, inspiring ways. I look forward to reading more!

Unknown said...

I could really use more lists to get more organized! You have some great ideas!

The Queen Mommy said...

I love List Plan It! It is so useful - so helpful - and I use several lists in keeping our family organized. I'm a list maker from WAAAAAY back - and anybody who gets the format set up is my friend!

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to tell you that my middle name is Mae. Hello, I'm Deborah Mae. :) My middle name was passed down to me from my mother, from her mother...so my first born daughter will be the next Mae.