organized moving binder

i don't know what i would do without this binder.

yes, a bold intro statement...but so very true!

this binder has been my lifesaver for the last 4-5 months as we went through the process of selling our home and moving to the rental house. and it's proven to be the positive in my life as i begin the research into where we will live in the bay area, where the kids will go to school, and managing the big move across the country this summer.

there is so much to stay on top of. so many details. so many ideas. so many phone numbers and names and "real estate zones". soooo many papers. this binder is where it all lives and where i can easily find anything regarding all things M. O. V. E.

here are some of the supplies i used to create this personalized moving binder...

my supply list:

* avery 1" binder
* avery big tab pocket insertable plastic dividers (i've used these before - love them!)
* martha stewart home office zipper pouch
* martha stewart home office filler paper (50 perforated task list sheets)
* standard sheet protectors
* 9-pocket plastic sheet (for trading cards or coupons)
* label maker
* misc supplies you like for your zippered pouch

regarding the binder, my personal preference is the avery brand because i have found them to hold up well over time and they have these great inner pockets to give you more bang for your buck...

normal binders typically have one pocket inside both the front and back covers. but this binder has 2 pockets on each side...

this is what you see when you open my binder...

i'll start at the front and work my way to the back.

the first item is the zippered pouch...

the pouch wasn't intended to be used in a standard size binder. all i did was punch an extra hole to make it fit. in the pouch i keep post-it flags, post it notes and my favorite pen. if you're a pen snob like me, my favorite pens have a fine tip. i love this sharpie pen...

next up is the the 9-pocket sheet. i added this as a way to keep track of business cards. since it's a clear sheet, i have the ability to fill up both sides, holding a total of 18 business cards. sorry i didn't take a stand alone photo of it - doh! but you can see it under the zippered pouch right here...

you may not think one would need space for that many cards, but trust me, they add up quickly...and i may have to add another. why? we are going to tour a lot of schools, we will be working with 3 real estate agents (as with any large city/area, the bay area has agents who specialize in different zones or groups of cities. we've already been referred to 3 agents.), and i also have new utility companies and the like to communicate with. having a quick and easy contact sheet was very helpful during the sale of our old house (contractors, plumbers, our agent and his repair company referrals, utility companies, etc).  i know it's going to be just as useful as we see homes, tour schools, contact new utility companies, work with our summer moving company and more.

next is the stack of filler paper...

sure, any paper will do just fine. but i happen to love this paper because it has a perforated edge...

many times when i would write notes during a phone call with our real estate agent, i would have a list of "to-do's" from him. having that sidebar, so to speak, allowed me to quickly jot down those to-do's and tear them off, ready for action. during the sale of our previous home and the move to this house...i went through one entire 50-sheet packet. they have been tried and tested over here! :-)

(moving onto the next 2 sections, keep in mind this binder has evolved. the binder used to be solely dedicated to the sale of our previous home and move to our rental home. it's now been cleaned up and ready for the next stage of this move process. soon, i will be sharing how i previously had the binder organized. but for now, this is the current state of the binder.)

the next section of the binder has a few very thin, but important sections...

they have been labeled, but are covered up to protect our privacy.

here are the section names:

* our old home address (holds misc items pertaining to the end of the sale)

* our new rental home address (holds our rental agreement, receipts for any home repairs we have made that i will submit to the owner of the house with our rent check)

* utility company info for the rental house

* moving company quote (we were quoted a local move and a long distance move. all of the quotes are right here.)

*moving to-do's (info about changing our home insurance to renter's insurance, info about covering the costs of our entire home's contents when it's on the moving truck driving across the country, last minute things we will have to do before moving - like the sale of our golf cart, etc. these to-do's all pertain to where we are living now - in the rental house.)

the final section of the binder is the pocket insertable dividers...

they aren't labeled now because my bay area research has only just begun. once it's ramped up and this section is full of info, i'll be sure to update you guys. this section will hold the following:

* school info (admission info, registration dates, tuition info if it's a private school, and any notes i take from speaking with schools or friends that have recommended the school to us)

* real estate zone info

* MLS listings or specific homes we want to see on a trip to the bay area

my ultimate plan is to have each pocket hold a specific city or zone we have chosen to narrow our focus on and then directly behind that pocket will be the info about schools in that zone or area.

told you, i'm crazy about being organized.

once i have the need to label these pockets, the inserts that came in the package are right here tucked into the back of the binder...

a few of you recently e-mailed or asked me about my choice in a label maker. for the last several years i have used this dymo labeler...

i happen to love it and will continue using this product. but down the road i may invest in a brother label maker as well. i would do that in order to have the option to print a thinner label (dymo) or a thicker label (brother)...

my complete moving binder...

it sits right here on the office desk next to my blogger's binder...

the binders sit near the computer, which is where i do both blog-related work and move research/phone calls.

if you have a move coming up, i would highly recommend putting everything into one centrally located spot. one of the biggest benefits to having this binder was during our actual move week. as everything in the house was getting packed up, i knew that all i had to do was stow away this binder in the car or on the kitchen counter at the rental house and everything i needed was right there. once the movers arrive, they pretty much take over. the last thing you want is for your binder/important info to get packed away with your entire office. having a binder as your zone for everything related to the move will keep you on task. and it can hold whatever you want - whatever is important to YOU during your move. even if it's ideas on how to help your kiddos through the process of moving.

hope this was helpful for my fellow moving friends! this is just the beginning of move related organization around here. there is plenty more to share!

(i linked up with delightful order, serenity now, liz marie blog, the 36th avenue, house of hepworths, clean & scentsible, tatertots & jello, org junkie)