I think I just figured out my New Year's Resolution

If organization were a sport, I would train constantly. I love lists, color coded filing systems, 3-ring binders, post it note reminders, etc. I've been buying and using these since the day they came out. Last year Santa brought me Wite out correction tape in my stocking and I couldn't have been more excited. I hope I've been good this year, because I could use a refill.

I spend way too much time and money at Staples and Office Depot and on their websites. Last quarter Staples sent me a store credit for over $200, which was 10% of my purchases there that quarter. I can't walk through Costco without going down the office supply aisle to pick up a 50 pack of sharpies or 25 glue sticks. (Seriously - I have bought both. Anyone need a glue stick?)

My lack of filing as of late has left me hating myself. (Though at least my office doesn't look like this anymore.) My files are morphing into piles, so I jumped at the chance to review the Day Runner family matters line of organizational products on behalf of Parent Bloggers. Rescue me, God of Order!

The Family Matters system has one color per family member. I would like it customizable by family size, but for now you have five people in your family and you'll like it. There are different products with in the system, all come in each of the five colors. You've got your monthly planner, wall calendar, door reminders, and storage cases. (I didn't get a monthly info center in my sampler pack, though that looks like the most useful product of all.)

I have never loved a product so much yet wanted to make so many changes.

The door reminders seemed an improvement on these door reminders that I've been using for years. I liked that these were erasable, however with only 1 pen for 5 hangers, I knew it was only a matter of minutes before we lost the one pen. (I don't know if I only got one because it's a sample pack, or if that's how it's going to be sold.)

When I tried to put a door reminder to use, I realized the pen covered up 1/3 of what I wrote. I also couldn't easily close the door, which was ironic considering the message:

I was planning to use this as a reminder to all of the people in and out of our house to keep Marielle from dying of Tidy Bowl poisoning or dropping an iPhone in the toilet. Instead the bathroom door stayed open more than ever since it was impossible to close with this thing hanging from it.

I like the concept, but they need to change the shape, have the pen pointing down, parallel to the writing space, and provide one marker per reminder.

The monthly appointment book I will not use. I've finally gotten used to putting everything in MS Outlook. An old school calendar will not pop up in my face 5 times a day to remind me my state sales tax payment is overdue. If you were ferrying a bunch of kids (3 or fewer to be exact, unless you are divorced and then you can have up to 4) from soccer practice to kung fu to bassoon lessons this would be a great way to keep it all straight. I will probably give mine to Marielle's teacher who is always on the move. Since I never move from in front of my computer, it's not really going to work for me.

The storage cases were probably my favorite. Though they are designed for one per family member, I have stolen all five and plan to implement a new system to my piles to be filed. Bills to be filed, bills to be paid, etc. It's all a part of my master plan to at least make the piles less overwhelming. Actually it looks like one wandered off, but I suspect it is just hiding under something.


For now they sit empty on my shelves mocking me, but at least I cleared room for them between all those piles. And look how well the colors match my office!


I wish they were made out of plastic instead of cardboard, and I wish the bottom laid flat better than it does. But that's not going to keep me from using them - one of these days.