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Tired of the back to school chaos? Create a budget-friendly parents’ back to school organization binder with the help of the 99 Cents Only Store!
Is it me or did summer go by too fast? I feel like summer just started, but I’m already in back to school mode. Yup, I just finished the kids’ online registration yesterday and school starts in less than a month – eek!
Even though many schools are doing a lot of things online, a ton of papers still come home with the kids: district info, class schedules, field trip notices, teacher class rules, fundraiser packets, award certificates, and more. So years ago, I created a back to school organization binder to help keep all the kids’ papers in one place. Trust me, having a back to school binder works, especially if you have two or more kids and want to avoid papers hanging all over your fridge or worse…lost and forgotten.
Never lose school papers again! Create a Parent's School Binder!
Anyway, when I went to get my username and password for the online registration, I realized my old back to school organization binder was falling apart. Ugh, I can’t have my back to school sanity saver and keeper of the paper clutter falling to pieces! I knew it was time to visit my 99 Cents Only Store to create a new back to school organization binder and do some school supplies shopping too.
The Parents’ Back to School Organization Binder
Supplies (all items from the 99):
- 1 1/2″ Binder ($1.99)
- Black permanent pens
- Scissors
- Dividers (I cut cardboard doughnut print files into dividers)
- Binder pockets
- Binder pencil pocket
- Sheet protectors
- Pens
- Post-it Notes
- Stapler
- Scissors
- Clips
- Hole punch
- Plastic sandwich bags
Putting It Together:
Keep in mind, everyone will have to customize their own parents’ back to school folder to meet their own needs, but this is a good basic start. All the kids’ paperwork will be in one place and it will make your back to school year so much easier!
- Add binder dividers for each child. I cut file folders in half and trimmed the top to create my own cute pink binder dividers.
- Add at least one sheet protector for each child. These can be used to collect awards or miscellaneous papers.
- Label each divider with the kids’ names.
- Use the other side of the file folder as a decorative insert for the front of the folder. If regular dividers were used, print out a decorative cover or slip in a school year calendar/class schedules.
- Things to include in the binder pencil pocket:
- Scissors – use to cut bottom of forms that require signatures.
- Pens – use for signing papers.
- Post-it notes – use to tag papers that need notes or when you need to send a paper back to the teacher with a question. I also used these for the kids’ school lunch codes and placed them on the front of each divider.
- Stapler – it’s good to have
- Clips – use these to hold papers securely in the binder’s inside pocket.
- Hole punch – use when you need to add papers to the binder.
- Add a sheet protector after the binder pocket and place a few plastic sandwich bags inside. These will come in handy when you need to send money or checks back to the teacher for field trips or other school activities.
That’s it. The Parent’s Back to School Organization Binder is done. Each of the kids has their own tab that I can file away their school schedules, room rules, report cards, and any other papers they bring home. I’m so ready for the new school year!
Of course, I couldn’t forget about the kids. While I was shopping for the parents’ back to school binder, I picked up back to school supplies for the kids too. The 99 even has a convenient back to school shopping list in-stores to make sure I didn’t forget anything!
I found tons of incredible back to school savings at The 99. For example, a 180 pack of college ruled paper (it’s less per sheet than the store that rhymes with maples), graph paper, scissors, 6 pack mechanical pencils, Post-it Notes (definitely cheaper than other stores), and index cards are all only 99 cents!
For those that have younger kids, the 99 has a cute selection of backpacks too! Who knew?!
The 99 had so many great back to school goodies! I managed to find everything my two high school teens kids needed to start school for around $50! In addition, I was able to create a parents’ back to school organization binder AND had enough leftover supplies to create a portable back to school supply basket.
So what are you waiting for? Head on down to The 99 for supplies to create a parents’ back to school organization binder and school supplies shopping done!
More budget-friendly 99 Cents Only Store Posts ~
Jenny says
This idea is brilliant! Pinning & sharing at Merry Monday tomorrow!
Anosa says
Indeed a great way to organize things for school activities. I guess this is applicable to all and not just for school related. I can use this too.
Kassy Randazzo says
How organized are you!!! wow! This is such a great idea!
Cecilia says
This is so organized. So need this although I am not a parent!
Pam says
This is such a great (and affordable) idea to keep you organized for the school year! It will definitely keep you organized (and the clutter from ending up all around the house). There’s been too many times where we’ve lost an important notice or whatnot- this would definitely be a great solution. thanks
Amila @Diary of a New Mom says
This is such a great idea! I like to have a back to school binder for me and get more organized.Otherwise poor fridge has to carry all the important dates and notes! 🙂
chandre says
These 99 store are a hugh hit in india too .
Deimarys says
This idea is simply perfect. Elias goes to kinder and my older one to college. I just show him this and he liked it. Way to keep organized on his new college journey!
Christie Brown says
Ahh yes, the dreaded back to school kerfuffle. I remember my mum getting all flustered about it when all we wanted to do was look at the cool stationery hahaaha. This is such a cute binder! Where was this post when I was at school? Hehe.
Christie’s Take on Life. xx
Keoshia says
This is a great idea. I need to make one for my daughter because she has so many papers I have to keep up with.
Rose says
This makes sense in so many ways and probably because I have more then one in school. A part of me would use it for those random art pictures, and worksheets that I found touching and want to keep for sentimental reasons too.
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Yes, you can definitely do that. I eventually move those keepsakes into a storage box.
jhilmil says
You’re creative as well as super organized. Though I haven’t yet explored this side of mine, since my kid will be ready for school by next year but I’m for sure gonna refer this post out.
Akamatra says
You are super organised! I hope when the times comes for my toddler to go to.school I will have some idea on what to do about it!
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
I wasn’t always organized…lol. It’s tough when they first start going to school, but it’s nice to have a few hours to yourself to get things done 🙂
Toya says
Wow! You are so organized. I have two in school and have never thought to organize a binder such as this one. This is very useful and I will be creating a binder this time around. On another note I am so glad school starts next week!!
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
It took me a few years of drowning in paperwork to start a binder and I love it! My kids went back to today and it was really nice..lol.
Taylor || The Millennial Sprinkle says
While I’m not going back to school, I definitely need new office supplies, so Ebates will absolutely be helpful! Thanks for sharing this wonderful money saving tip!
xo, Taylor (thesprinkle.tayloramead.com)
Erlene at My Pinterventures says
Ebates is great for online ordering, but don’t forget to check out your local 99 Cents Only stores too 🙂
Megan says
I’m thankful I still only have one in school requiring school supplies! Shopping was less than fun, and even ONE school schedule is hard to follow! Binder sounds like a GREAT idea.
David @ Spiced says
What a great idea to create a binder for all of those school papers! Our son is only in daycare, but we still get all sorts of notes and important papers coming home. A binder is the answer! And great tip about shopping at the 99 to save so much money on back-to-school needs. Thanks for sharing! #client