Get More Organized This Holiday Season: ListPlanIt Review and Giveaway
I’ve always been a list maker. I make lists of what needs to be done in the day, what food is in the fridge that needs to be used up, what meals I’m going to make, what to pack for a trip, what gifts to buy, what errands to run and what order to do them in, what blog posts I want to write, and what I’m going to wear each day (okay, so that last one isn’t true, but the other ones all are). When I first began to explore the lists at ListPlanIt, my initial thought was that it all looked quite simple. Maybe too simple. I already knew how to make a list myself, so I wasn’t sure how these lists were going to revolutionize how I organized my home, personal life, etc.
I was wrong, though. The more that I got into the lists, my perspective changed. What I realized is that although each list in and of itself may not be anything mind-blowing or new (although some lists are for things I never would have thought of!), the concept of having access to all of these pre-made lists in one place is! With a click of my mouse, I can choose any list out of the 400+ on the site, and immediately I have exactly what I need to organize yet another area of my life. When used well and in combination with each other, I am starting to see just how these lists could simplify, declutter and organize much of my work as a homemaker in particular.
One thing that I’ve wanted to establish for a long time is a homemaking binder, with information on recipes and meal planning, house cleaning, schedules and routines, gardening, etc. I’ve never really set it up the way that I wanted to, and thus it was never useful enough to keep on using (funny how that happens). I’ve been inspired, though, to use the lists at ListPlanIt to very quickly and easily put together a methodical and very thorough homemaking binder that I think I will actually use and truly benefit from! (Oh no, another winter project to add to my list- but perhaps this will be one of the most helpful projects of all!).
The real benefit of ListPlanIt (at least, in my opinion) is that there is already a list for pretty much anything you could think of (and ones you’ve never thought of, too). The work has been done for you. With a membership you simply log in, access your lists, and print or download the ones that you want. You can use the lists as many times as you like. With a download level membership ($30 a year), you can even go into the list file yourself and type directly into the list, customizing it exactly as you like it!
Since you can’t actually open the lists on the site and see them for yourself, I thought it might be helpful for me to let you know some of the ones that I’ve looked at and am most excited to use:
Home Management: I really like the Monthly Cleaning Schedule (which comes already completed with daily and weekly tasks), as well as the blank monthly cleaning schedule which I could use to create my own. The Shopping List (for keeping track of everything you need to buy, not just groceries) would be a handy thing to keep in a purse or diaper bag for when I’m out. I don’t get out much (now tell me you hadn’t already known that about me!), and when I do I often forget things that I wish I had looked for. The Items Needed list would work well for that purpose, too.
The Comparison Shopping list is a really good tool for those seeking to save money, especially on groceries. It’s already made for you and all you need to do is print it out and bring it shopping with you. This is one of the many, many ways to save money on food that I talk about in my upcoming book.
I LOVE the Clothing Inventory lists (for women, men, and boys or girls). I’ve sorted through my clothes and made an inventory before and it is so helpful to really record what you have so that you can see what you really need (not just what you want or think you need). Also, the boys and girls inventory lists are perfect for my method of buying kids clothes frugally. These will definitely be added to my homemaking binder!
And for the garden- I am sure that later this winter I will use the Seed Starting Schedule, as well as the Garden Notes for keeping my own record of what was planted when, how it’s doing, problems I had and how I solved them, etc.
Meal Planning: Most of these looked really helpful. I am all about meal planning as a way to ensure good nutrition, to save $ on groceries and to reduce stress for moms. A couple that I would be likely to make use of in my homemaking binder are My 21 Meals (a list of your 21 favorite meals that you make most often), plus several of the Meal Inventories (for quick reference as you make your meal plans). They fit in well with the list that I like to keep updated with all of our favorite meals and recipes, to help keep menu planning a short and simple task (except that these look much nicer and more organized than my current list!).
I could also see using the Favorite Recipes pages (one for each category- breakfast, entrees, desserts, etc.) as a really good, quick reference in a recipe binder. When I re-organize my recipe binder this winter, I think I will use those pages at the start of each new category section. Plus there are several easy to use meal planning sheets to stick on your fridge, with either a week’s or a month’s menus. I also appreciated the Grocery Lists, especially the checklist (less writing= less time making my shopping list). With the Download membership, you can make changes by typing directly in the lists, tweaking them more to your needs, and having a grocery checklist full of the specific foods that my family buys would not only help me prepare my shopping lists faster, but also give me a place to quickly check off items that I notice are running out so that I don’t forget to buy things we need.
Holidays and Occasions: Lots of great lists that help to plan important holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or birthday parties (wish I’d had this as I planned my daughter’s 5th birthday last month). I especially loved that there was an Advent list, for planning out each day’s Advent devotions, activities, etc! For anyone looking to get more organized for the holidays, there are lots of good resources here.
Time Management: Using the calendars (monthly, two months and six months at a glance), together with the Daily Planner and the Weekly Planner with Meals, I think I could do away with my regular planner and just keep everything hole-punched and in my homemaking binder!
And a few other lists I know I’ll use– the Responsibility Charts (for different ages of children) under Family Matters, and several of the blog and business organizing lists under Business Planning.
Like anything else, these lists are only helpful if you actually use them. The nice thing is that because they’re already made, easy to customize, and ready to print with the click of a button, it makes it that much more likely that you will actually use them simply because they’re so easy to use. The sheer quantity of different lists to choose from ensures that you’re likely to find a list for just about anything you need to organize, and though I spent a lot of time looking through the lists that come with my membership, I know that I haven’t come close to exhausting all of the ones that will come in handy.
All in all, I think that if used well, ListPlanIt is an excellent resource for any homemaker, mom or busy woman in general who is hoping to get more organized and could use a little help along the way.
And one of you is going to get a little more organized with a ListPlanIt 1 year download membership!
Here’s how to get entered for this fun and timely giveaway:
I want you to get every one of your hard-earned entries, so please, please, please leave a separate comment for each entry that you fulfill!
- Take a quick visit over to ListPlanIt’s site, then leave me a comment telling me what you like most about it, or which lists you’d be most likely to use, and why you need to win this membership!
- Post about this giveaway on your own blog and leave the url of that post.
- Link to the giveaway on Facebook.
- Tweet this giveaway.
- Follow me on Twitter (@keeperhome)
- Follow Jennifer of ListPlanIt on Twitter (@ListPlanIt)
- Subscribe to my blog (or tell me that you already do)
- Join the forum or start a new topic.
Good luck! One of you is going to join me in getting more organized this Christmas season and in the New Year as well! 🙂
Giveaway ends Friday, December 11 at 5:oopm. Giveaway has now ended.
Posted on Facebook.
Subscribed to your blog.
I would use Home Management, Time Management and Meal Planning. I’m sure a bunch of others too!
I registered on your forum.
Right now, I *need* the meal planning and monthly cleaning lists. I have a new born–well, she’s almost 5 months so not a newborn anymore–and I still haven’t gotten back to my organized ways! It’s definitely a process (one made a little more difficult by sleepless nights!!).
I already follow you on Twitter…
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Halloween =-.
…and I tweeted for you! http://twitter.com/jkbaxter612
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Halloween =-.
I’m now following Jennifer on Twitter 🙂
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Halloween =-.
I am a follower of you.
I am a follower of Jennifer.
I tweeted your giveaway.
Oh my goodness…this looks like a wonderful website! Like you, I’ve really wanted to get more organized and keep a notebook for housekeeping. But I feel I never have the time to do it. This would be so helpful to me!
I subscribed to your blog.
I posted about your giveaway on my blog.
http://stewardshipnotconvenience.blogspot.com/2009/12/giveaway.html
Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you why I need this! I am a mother of 4 children, 6, 4, 4, and 2. My husband is a youth pastor and in seminary. I am in charge of a few things at church and am starting to feel a little CRAZY! I was just going to do some research online about getting organized when i saw YOUR POST! How timely. As you can see, I worked hard for my entries! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to put together a family notebook, but have been overwhelmed on where to start. Pre-made lists would be great!
I love that the list are typeable before you print them out. I do not know wither or not to subscribe now or wait to see if I win the giveaway.
I am following you on twitter
I am following Jennifer on twitter.
I just linked it to facebook
.-= Raye Ann´s last blog ..Song of the Day — Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) =-.
Just twitted the giveaway.
1.What I like most about the List Plan it site- is that it looks really simple, and that it deals with my “list problem”! Which lists I am most likely to use: the gardening ones and clothing ones! Or any ones it seems they are all good! Why I need to win: because I write lists and then loose them all over the place, and then have to write another list. LOL
I already subscribed…but I seem to have stopped getting emails, so I will resubscribe now,
going to start a new topic now on the forum….
I love any web sites dedicated to organization! I have made a home management book but I’ve gotten out of the habit to keep it up. So thanks for the reminder!
I’ve seen this site before and have often though about joining but wasn’t sure if I would actually use it. (Just like I’ve tried to start a homemaking binder many times but always stop after the cute cover part :-). I think I might have to try it out now though.
.-= MacKenzie´s last blog ..Lifestyle Choices =-.
Oh, wow! What an amazing thing! I love the cleaning schedules but there are others that look great too.
.-= Alisa´s last blog ..Giveaway Winner! and a Fabric Wreath =-.
I am a follower of your blog.
.-= Alisa´s last blog ..Giveaway Winner! and a Fabric Wreath =-.
I have already subscribed to your blog — and would LOVE to win this give away!!
I also visited the ListPlanit site – WOW! There is so much good stuff!
My husband and I are in the process of adopting 2 elementary-age boys who will be joining our family in January — our first children! I am taking a step back from working and will be focusing on my family and esp the boys. I would be using ALL the family organization and would LOVE a treat of having it as a gift!
Okay, I really have made lists of what I’m going to wear. I don’t do it now, but I used to teach junior high, and for the first few months I was scared of repeating my limited outfits too frequently 🙂 If I won this, I’d use the moving lists. We’ll be doing that next summer, and they look super-helpful.
I love its super simple approach!
I LOVE lists! I have lots of them and they must be not quite right for me yet because I don’t use them all the time. Maybe these lists would really help! I need to get on a better routine or things won’t get done over here! Thanks for the giveaway!
I subscribe to your blog.
I subscribe to your blog.
I’m very excited to dig into the family management lists AND the Holiday planning lists, but cannot afford the join fee.
Joined your forum!
I would definitely use the home management lists the most. What a great way to keep yourself on target.
I am also a subscriber to your blog 🙂
I have such trouble staying organized…the home management lists look great!
I subscribe to your blog.
I subscribe to your blog.
.-= Cassidy´s last blog ..Trying to Forgive =-.
Why I need this… umm, well for starters I am the most disorganized person I know. I try so hard to organize and fail miserably. I just can’t get it together. I would love to have premade lists that are organized for me. That would make everything so much easier for me.
.-= Cassidy´s last blog ..Trying to Forgive =-.
I subscribe to your blog
.-= Dren´s last blog ..When a songwriter meets a felted creature during Advent =-.
Meal planning and cleaning would be *awesome*.
.-= Dren´s last blog ..When a songwriter meets a felted creature during Advent =-.
I already subscribe to your blog! <3
…and I just linked on Facebook. Thanks for the contest!
So fun! I love list making and organizing, and am sure that these lists would be fabulous. I like the idea of clothing inventories and responsibility charts. So many other great ideas too!
I am an e-mail subscriber!
Also, I joined the forum.
Would definitely use the financial planning lists!
I’m subscribed to your blog 🙂
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..My plans for today… =-.
I already subscribe to your blog!!
I’m browsing through the site right now — thanks for showing us some actual examples 🙂 We’re having our first babies in the spring (twins!) and I really really need to get organized. It’s not my nature and I know it is going to be a necessity!!!! Hopefully some of the home management lists can help me out. It’s going to be an adventure!!
.-= Sarah L´s last blog ..Hi There World!! Its us, Pancake and Flapjack! =-.
Oh, I could totally get addicted to this! I just added this to my Christmas list in case I don’t win. We’re moving in a few months, and I would love to have an easier way to organize everything we need in order to move. Husband and I have already started google documents on some things, but this would be way cooler! Thanks for the opportunity!
I subscribe!
I just linked to it on FB. Great giveaway!
I don’t think I can pick out a favorite thing from the site – it all looks too good! Clothing inventory looks fascinating – something I definitely need. This would help me a lot, for sure. 🙂
.-= Tara´s last blog ..Silent Night =-.
I subscribe to your blog, too. 🙂
.-= Tara´s last blog ..Silent Night =-.
I like the travel, home, fiancial, and family lists. Well, I like them all but those are my favorites.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Angry Mom =-.
I think my favorite forms would be the monthly blogging page, but I would love the other household management forms, too! Especially the holiday ones.
i follow you on twitter.
i also follow listplanit – @HappyLHomemaker
i sub to your feed via rss
tweeted: http://twitter.com/HappyLHomemaker/status/6513152099
.-= Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker´s last blog ..WFMW – Three Keys to Successful Entertaining =-.
What a great site! I’m a messy married to a very neat, particular DH so I’m always looking for help trying to overcome my natural tendencies. The sanity of my husband depends on it! I’ve never won any blog giveaways but I sure am hoping to win this one!
I love that they have a list just for target!!!! I’m all about that! The overnight guest list would also be helpful.
.-= Nickie´s last blog ..Not working out today =-.
I would really like to try this out – would be great to have all the lists in one spot. Meal planning would be especially helpful.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..merry giftmas! =-.
I subscribe to your blog.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..merry giftmas! =-.
Oh I love lists! My goal this winter is also to make a home management book so this would be great!
I would especially like the meal planning and home organization lists. What a great idea!
I follow you on twitter 🙂
I already subscribe to your blog.
I am following Jennifer on Twitter.
Hello, thanks for hosting this giveaway. I have six little ones to organize. LOL
.-= Kelly E. ´s last blog ..New Pictures of Olivia! =-.
Following on twitter.
.-= Kelly E.´s last blog ..New Pictures of Olivia! =-.
Linked on facebook.
What a great site . . . I would use the home management cleaning and reduse/reuse/recycle lists as well as many others I’m sure. I love making lists of my own, but there are many things that I just haven’t taken the time to organize yet, but need to . . . I think some pre-made lists would help. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Blessings,
Carrie
I’m now following ListPlanIt on Twitter.
I follow you on twitter.
I’m subcribed to your blog and loving it. Thanks.
I LOVE this site!!! I am a list girl, I will even put something on my list that has already been accomplished just so I can mark it off 🙂 I love the holiday planner, financial planning lists (we are gazelle intense and on baby step 2), and my favorite the menu planning lists, if only I could use them all right now. When our second child was born we decided to have me stay home with them (2 and 9 mths old) and although times are REALLY tough right now, we know we are honoring God and doing what He would want us to do right now. I need this membership to help us continue down the right path for our family.
I would definitely use the grocery pages immediately as that is an area that I really need to get more organized in.
I should probably use the menu planning too as last week I wrote out my new menu and then reposted my old one and recycled the new one….sigh,
And I subscribe to your blog
I am also a list person. All of the ones you highlighted sound very useful. i would love to win!
I like the idea of the 21 meals! lists are so much fun : )
I subscribe!
I think I would use the time management and financial planning the most. I’d make Justin use the Student planning. 🙂
I subscribe to your blog!
I am really excited about the cleaning schedule, i have been trying to something like this for quite some time.
linked to it on my face book page- my FB name is Pam Berg
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Raisin in the nose =-.
I have been subscribed to your blog and follow it through google reader! Thanks for all you inspire!
posted on my facebook!
posted to my blog. 🙂
I visited the ListPlanIt website. I wish you could see more lists before subbing! I must admit, the seed planning schedule will be my first download if I win. 🙂
I am a list person too…I love the way it keeps cobwebs out of the brain! 🙂 Dropped over to the site you linked to and I think i would use the meal planning and home planning lists first if I was fortunate enough to have the membership.
Thanks for this!
Camille
.-= Camille´s last blog ..Gift in a Jar =-.
I am a list maker too…this site looks like fun. I would love premade lists for clothing inventory, grocery shopping, and home management. And I’m sure many others would also be helpful. Thanks!
I love making lists for everything, so I could pretty much use anything they have! I loved the simple weekly planner with meals. It’s exactly what I need for planning my weeks, starting in January!
And I subscribe!
I would use the housecleaning lists and menu lists the most, I think. I work from home now and I need a schedule to keep me in gear. I am falling behind, it is stressing me, my husband and my family.
Cece
I am a subscriber.
Cece
.-= Cecelia´s last blog ..There’s No Business Like Snow Business…… =-.
First, I love the site design. Very clean and easy to read.
I would most definitely use the ‘monthly cleaning schedule’, ‘my 21 meals’ list, ‘weekly meal planner w/grocery list’ and ‘weekly to do’ lists.
I’m a subscriber
I’m a subscriber
I went to the LIstPlanIt site and I think I’d mostly use things to manage my home, meals, and chores. I always make great packing lists for our trips away, but have to recreate each time. This looks liek a wonderful tool!
I could use almost everything in home management, but especially the Saturday Morning chore list. My kids argue over all the cleaning we do on Saturday mornings. They are great at daily chores, but Saturday deep cleans leave alot to be desired of them. Thanks for the chance to win.
I went to the site and wow! I love the way it looks. So many good lists. I think that I would use the activities and responsibilities lists (for infant/toddler), babysitter lists, maybe the potty training but my daughter is only 8 months, the home management lists and who knows what else. I love lists and this site could easily become an addiction! 🙂
I subscribe already and linked it on FB.
I would use so much from the site! I, too, have had a vision (inspired by flylady’s control journal) of an all-encompassing homemaking binder. I started one, but organization does not come naturally to me, so it has been a struggle. These lists would be such a blessing!
I already subscribe to your blog!
I also posted a link about the giveaway on facebook.
I started a new topic in the forum!
I think I would probably use the meal planning and home organization the most. I love lists and find them really helpful…there is something very satisfying about checking things off. 🙂
.-= Mary Jo´s last blog ..Yummy Winter Dinner: White Chili =-.
I follow you on Twitter.
I subscribe to your feed.
Following ListPlanIt on twitter.
.-= Mary Jo´s last blog ..Yummy Winter Dinner: White Chili =-.
I tweeted about the giveaway. 🙂
.-= Mary Jo´s last blog ..Yummy Winter Dinner: White Chili =-.
1. I love the meal planning and grocery shopping lists! I make bi-weekly meal plans and lists and so much of the grocery lists are the same, I’d love not having to type them out every time. Keeping track of all the stuff I’m out of would be great too. And the meal planning — every time I sit down I put in all our favorites then go “hmm…what now?” because I forget about the things we have less often. All those lists would be great!
2. http://modernalternativemama.blogspot.com/2009/12/personal-responsibility.html Mentioned it in the blog!
3. Linked on facebook
4. Tweeted
5. Following you on Twitter
6. Following Jennifer on Twitter
7. I subscribe. 🙂
Thanks for this!
.-= Kate´s last blog ..Personal Responsibility =-.
I blogged about the giveaway here:
http://covenanthomemaking.blogspot.com/2009/12/listplanit-giveaway-at-keeper-of-home.html
.-= Mary Jo´s last blog ..Yummy Winter Dinner: White Chili =-.
I went to the site, and it looks like an amazing resource! I would use a LOT of the lists, but I think the ones that would be used the most heavily would be the “Family Matters” and “Home Management” ones. I have 4 children ages 4 and under (none of them multiples!), so it is overwhelming to try to stay on top of things. I feel if like I step up in one basic area, another inevitably suffers. And that’s just the basics! So, I think this site would be a fantastic tool to have.
I subscribe to this blog.
And I started a new topic in the forum.
Wow! I have visited listPlanit before, and love the idea of having all of those lists to work from. I’m not very good at keeping everything organized (family, meals, finances, etc), and too often forget something.
Thanks!
This looks like a keeper! I haven’t been able to significally go through it a lot, so I will just “tweet” this giveaway (@ssmast)
Sarah M
I would definitely use the daily outdoor log. I’ve been wanting to keep track of rainfall, temperature, when the pecans leaf out, etc. for years!
and I am already subscribed to the blog 🙂
I LOVE lists, this looks great please enter me in the drawing
And of course I subscribe to your blog!
I am in need of all the lists!!!! I have been trying to put together a home management binder for over a year now, I will get there! This could be a huge help!!!
I am signed up to receive your blog.
I registered in your forum!!
I am already happily following you on twitter! Thanks for all your great ideas and positive outlook. Both are always welcome in my life of SAHM satire and struggle. 🙂
I follow your blog and I have to admit that Listit sounds like my kind of candy 😉
Oh, I’m such a list maker!
It would be so nice to have them all organized rather than all over the house on pieces of envelopes! 🙂
I think I’d use the meal planning ones and the home management ones a LOT!
.-= Candace @ A Worker at Home´s last blog ..Grateful – #1202 =-.
I linked to the post on Facebook.
.-= Candace @ A Worker at Home´s last blog ..Grateful – #1202 =-.
I’ve started a new topic on the forum.
.-= Candace @ A Worker at Home´s last blog ..Grateful – #1202 =-.
I really need some help in the area of menu planning! These lists look awesome!
.-= Gina´s last blog ..Make a Frog! =-.
I am a subscriber!
.-= Gina´s last blog ..Make a Frog! =-.
I am a subscriber. Thank you!
I think I am most interested in the Family Matters lists. So many choices for praises, places for improvement, etc. Manners and the Caught Ya! list look so beneficial. Thanks!
I subscribe!!
.-= Julie´s last blog ..It’s a learning process… =-.
I think I would like to try the student lists. I a homeschool mom, so these might be helpful.
I am a follower on RSS Google. Thanks.
Posted link on my FB page.
I love making lists! This site looks fabulous! I think I would make the most use out of the menu planning lists and the seasonal cleaning lists, since I never know where to start!
.-= Taya @ Simply Frugal´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday – Week of December 14, 2009 =-.
I follow you on Twitter! (@simplyfrugal)
.-= Taya @ Simply Frugal´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday – Week of December 14, 2009 =-.
I’m also a google reader subscriber!
.-= Taya @ Simply Frugal´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday – Week of December 14, 2009 =-.