Weekly Planning Basket

If you’re feeling buried under a pile of paper clutter, setting up and using a weekly planning basket could be just what you need to get things under control.

This simple tip on how to organize not just the papers coming into your home, but also the ones already piling up, can help clear the clutter and make your space feel more manageable every day.

Have you ever woken up and the very first thought that goes through your head is, “Today is going to suck.” Usually, it’s a Monday, and it probably happens even before you open your eyes.

Not having a paper system can cause stress

That feeling of dread comes over you because you have a long to-do list with so many things on it, and you don’t even know where to begin. And just like that, you have set the tone for your morning and your entire day.

I can’t even tell you how many mornings started out that way for me. In a frustrated mood even before the frustration got there.

I used to thrive on that frustration. My to-do list was as endless as the Mississippi, and honestly, I was kind of proud of it. I’d catch myself bragging to other moms about how much I had on my plate, like having the longest list somehow made me a better mom and wife.

I thought being “super mom” meant running myself ragged all day long. If I was busy, I was winning—that’s what I told myself. Turns out, I was completely wrong.

I was a list-making ninja. Oh yes, I had that skill down to an art form.

My house was overrun by lists. I had them in the kitchen, in the office, and on the mirror in my bathroom. They were everywhere and covered every topic you could possibly imagine. And I honestly believed that if I had those lists, I was productive….right?

Well, not really.

In truth, I was flying by the seat of my pants. I felt like I was getting everything done with those lists, but I was only jumping from task to task, picking things I WANTED to do instead of things I NEEDED to do. I thought as long as I was always busy, I was doing awesome, and nothing would fall through the cracks.

Then things began to happen. Balls began to drop.

First Dropped Ball: I made an error in our checkbook to the tune of $1,000. (Not a mistake you can make up easily just by cutting back on Little Debbie snack cakes.)

Second Dropped Ball: I lost my son’s registration papers in a pile of paper clutter, causing him to miss his last Junior Olympics.

Third Dropped Ball: I left an important date off of the calendar, and my son missed a speech he was due to give at a local meeting.

And my Fourth, yes fourth, Dropped Ball: I missed an important birthday of a family member, one that should never have been forgotten.

Yes, none of these were my proudest moments, but it was all those dropped balls that helped me to realize I needed to fix things. That is when I went hunting for a system. One that would work for me and my scatterbrained personality.

What I was looking for was a way to not only make a list but to also know what to work on and when.

READ: How to Simplify Your Daily Schedule

If you have tried to schedule out your week before only to find things complicated and confusing, then your mind might work like mine.

You probably need things to be simple with the fewest amount of steps that will get you from point A to point B quickly.

Complicated just doesn’t work, however, straightforward does. No bells and absolutely no whistles. And that is just what this is.

A handful of steps that will help you to get all of that clutter out of your head and down onto paper. Why is that so important? Because once it is written down you have officially taken the first step to getting it done. Seeing it in writing is all you need to get it completed and off the list.

Here’s the thing, when you keep things in your head, they tend to get covered up by what you think are more important things. Tasks that you FEEL are more important cover up what you just don’t want to deal with at the moment. Easy to do when the list is in your head. Not so easy when the list is down in print.

The biggest problem with planning is the need to add to our lists constantly. Let’s face it, papers come into our homes every day, along with sports and work schedules, appointments, parties, and more. Any one of these can throw our weekly game plan on its ear.

The weekly planning basket is my spin on the Sunday Basket from Organize.365. I learned about this planning idea many years ago and have since made it into a system that works for me and my busy family.

I love it because it helps me to keep my core plan in tack even when new commitments come in without warning. It also saves me loads of time every day. Instead of dealing with each paper as it comes into your home, you will instead collect those papers to deal with on one set day each week.

This will not only save you time but also ensure that each paper is given the attention it needs to ensure it is taken care of and not forgotten. This system is very simple to start using and is going to completely change your life just like it did mine.

Oxford Spiral Notebook 6 Pack, 1 Subject, College Ruled Paper, 8 x 10-1/2 Inch, Pastel Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple, 70 Sheets (63756)(24 Pack) Sticky Notes 3×3 in Post Bright Stickies Colorful Super Sticking Power Memo Pads, Strong Adhesive, 74 Sheets/padBIC Brite Liner Highlighters, Chisel Tip, 24-Count Pack of Highlighters Assorted Colors, Ideal Highlighter Set for Organizing and ColoringOfficemate Recycled Plastic Clipboards, Letter Size, Pearl, Pack of 6 (83087)

 

How to Set Up a Weekly Planning Basket

Before we get into the steps, let’s talk about what a Weekly Planning Basket actually is.

Think of it as the ultimate catch-all for your to-do list. It’s my favorite way to stay on top of everything. This handy basket is where you toss and gather all those little things demanding your attention—from that scrap of paper reminding you to book the dog’s grooming appointment to the car registration form you keep meaning to fill out.

By pulling everything you need to tackle into one simple, easy-to-reach spot, you’ll never have to worry about forgetting something important again.

Pretty freeing, right?

How a Planning Basket Works

The concept is surprisingly simple: you’re setting up one spot where all those papers that come into your home can land. Think school event notices, doctor appointment reminders, recipes you want to try, mail, catalogs… basically anything you need to save and deal with later instead of right now.

The key isn’t just the basket itself; it’s the routine. Gather everything in one place, then pick a specific day each week to go through it. A planning basket isn’t just a thing you have, it’s a system that helps you stay on top of things and keeps your home running smoothly.

Step #1. Choose a Basket

When I first started using this system, I kept it simple and used a laundry basket. It was big enough to hold everything neatly, and it was easy to carry when I was ready to go through everything inside.

Over time, as I tackled the paper clutter, I downsized to a smaller hinged basket that I still use to this day.

Remember, your basket needs to hold more than just random papers. You’ll want to keep a few essentials in there, too. That way, when you’re ready to sit down and plan, you’re not running all over the house searching for a ruler, a notepad, or a pen.

An easy fix? Tuck a small plastic bag inside the basket with all the tools you’ll need. It’s a total game-changer.

ANMINY Storage Bin with Lid Storage Boxes with PU Leather Handles PP Plastic Board Decorative Foldable Lidded Cotton Linen Fabric Home Cubes Baskets Closet Organizer Container – Green, Small SizeOnlyeasy Foldable Storage Bins Cubes Boxes with Lid – Storage Box Cube Cubby Basket Closet Organizer Pack of 2 with Leather Handles for Closet Bedroom, 13Hipiwe Set of 2 Flat Woven Wicker Storage Bins with Lid Natural Seagrass Basket Multipurpose Home Boxes for Shelf Organizer (Coffee)

 

Step #2.  Choose a Location

This step is more important than you might realize, so take your time with it. You want to place your basket somewhere that’s easy to reach and hard to miss. Think “in sight, in mind”—that’s the sweet spot for your new planning system.

I’d recommend keeping it out in the open so you can quickly toss papers in throughout your day. If you’re using a clothes basket, a corner in the kitchen might work best while you’re getting used to the routine.

If you’re working with a smaller bin, keeping it on your counter could be ideal. The key here is visibility. Having it out where you can see it acts as a little nudge to keep you on track.

Step #3. Choose a Planning Day

Now, before we jump into organizing your to-do list, you’ve got to pick a day to plan. Most people, myself included, like to do this on Sundays. There’s just something about having a set day every week that keeps everything from spiraling out of control.

For me, Sundays are non-negotiable. I always carve out 1-2 hours to plan, no matter what else is going on. It’s my go-to time to set my schedule and make sure my week is all mapped out. Trust me, having a regular planning day works wonders for keeping things on track.

How to use your Weekend Planning Basket

Now that you have the setup nailed down, let’s work on creating a planning routine that helps you stay on track.

Step #1. Sort What you Have

Begin by going through all the papers inside your basket. We are only sorting at this point, so try not to take action just yet. Glance at each item and move it out quickly into piles. These piles will become your set categories that will make the scheduling part of your system easier to set up.

I like to use index cards or sticky notes to label my categories and I keep these in my Weekend Planning Basket with my other supplies.

A few ideas for action categories are:

1. Appointments
2. School Activities
3. Sport Activities
4. Financial
5. Family
6. Pets
7. To file
8. Errands/Shopping
9. Put away
10. Things that need shredded

Step #2. Taking Action with Your Papers

This is where the magic happens, so don’t fall into the trap of just shifting papers around. The whole point is to act, not shuffle. Here’s what to do with each pile:

• Shred It: Anything in your “To Be Shredded” pile? Go ahead and shred it. Done and dusted.
• Toss It: Got a “To Be Tossed” pile? Throw it away. No need to overthink it.
• File It: If something doesn’t need any action, file it away. Or, if you have a file bin, you can drop it there and take care of it at the end of the month.
• Financial Papers: For bills or anything finance-related, put those in your bill-paying spot. Grab a sticky note and jot down a quick reminder like “Pay by Friday” or “Call about this.”
• Calendar Notes: Update your calendar as you go. If there’s related paperwork, stick it in your calendar file and add an asterisk (*) to the note on your calendar so you’ve got a nudge that there’s a paper to match.
• For Other Family Members: If a paper needs another family member’s attention, add a note on it and pass it their way. If you’ve got a family command center, that’s a great place to leave it so it doesn’t get missed.
• Your Own Tasks: For anything you personally need to handle, add it to your to-do list. Mark it with an asterisk (*) so you know there’s a paper connected to that task.
• Errands: Coupons, sales flyers, and similar things should go in your errand bin. Then, the day before your errands, make a note on your calendar to go through that bin.
• Calls and Emails: Write down any calls or emails you need to handle. Again, put a * next to the task if there’s a paper that goes along with it.

Keep working through the piles, paper by paper. If you find something that doesn’t need immediate action but still needs attention later, make a note on it and put it back in your Weekend Planning Basket to review next time. Simple, right? Just keep that momentum going.

D/M Pro Tip: if there’s something with a due date that’s a week or more away, jot a quick note on the front of the paper and put it back in the basket. This way, it stays on your radar, and you can be sure it gets the attention it needs before the deadline.

Easy Tips to Make Your Weekly Planning Basket Work

1. Use It Often
   The more you use your planning basket, the more natural it’ll feel. Consistency is key!
2. Customize It for Your Needs
   Tailor the system to fit your lifestyle. Adjust as you go to make sure it works for you.
3. Keep Your Mornings Smooth
   Follow your structured list each day. Wake up, breeze through your morning routine, and rely on the plan you’ve already created.
4. Check Things Off
   Make it satisfying by checking items off your list as you go. Each small win keeps you motivated!
5. Set Weekly Reminders
   Schedule a reminder on your phone for your weekly planning session. This helps you stick to the habit.
6. Focus on Simplicity
   Keep everything laid out in a way that feels easy and non-overwhelming. Your goal is a plan that works for you, not one that adds stress.

A weekly planning basket isn’t just a spot to toss papers; it’s your secret weapon for staying organized and stress-free. By giving incoming papers a designated landing spot, building a steady routine for handling them, and following these simple tips, you can make this system a natural part of your weekly planning.

The best part? No more misplaced appointment cards or unexpected late fees. You’ve got everything under control and are running your home like a total pro!

More Planning Resources:

• Create a Better To-Do list
• How to Organize your Family Schedule
• Create a Morning Routine that Will Keep a Clutter-Free Home
• How to Simplify Your Daily Schedule