One of those weeks

Have you ever had one of those weeks?  It isn't a bad week, just an organizationally challenged week.  The kind of week when your boys run out of clean socks.
The kind of week when you forget an appointment and spend an extra $40 to feed your family.
The kind of week when you realize on Wednesday that the milk isn't going to last until shopping day on Friday.
The kind of week when your baby pukes on an outfit before you have even put it on her. 
The kind of week when you focus on your to-do list and continue to forget to do things.

So in honor of this organizationally challenged week, I'm going to show you my new organization system.  All of you parents of school-aged children know how much paper comes home every day from school.  I am pretty diligent about sorting, signing and sending it off to where it belongs.  But I hate clutter on my counters and some things need a second look or to be saved for a later date or reviewed by Dad (what do you do other than stack this crap on the counter?).  I also have been trying to save money, use coupons and get better about menu planning.  There's a lot of paper that goes along with this process!  So......

Our new back of the pantry door organization system.

 I implemented this system before school started and it has worked brilliantly.  All you need is:
1) A pack of file pocket folders
2) 3M picture hangers
3) Letter stickers
4) Clips

 The boys got red and yellow (obviously).  I put the folders low enough so that Patrick can reach his.  Patrick's folder is mostly homework. Having one place to put things makes the whole process so much easier.   I also clip any items for the week (money for snack shack, reminders about school events) to the outside of the folder.  Smaller items also get put on the front clip.

 Keith's folder has information for the month about Kindergarten, speech homework and coloring pages. 

 The food folder contains: coupons, menus, Costco coupons, recipes and weekly ads.  Thing of beauty.

 I wasn't sure what I would use the fourth, unlabeled folder for but it has quickly become the MISC. folder.  Field trip information, school menus, any information that comes home and cannot be sent back or trashed gets stuck in this folder. 

Here are my Mod Podge clippies.  Easy.
EDITED TO SAY: The clips serve a dual purpose.  Since the expanding folders like to expand, the clips keep everything nice and tight.  Otherwise the folders gape open.

Do you want to know how I know this system was a good idea?  Patrick said to me, "Mom, why didn't you think of this before?"