Scattered Squirrel

Start Here

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Thank you so much for stopping by!  If it’s your first time here, I’m Alli, a slightly distracted, mildly frazzled, always crazy busy (even when I’m doing nothing) wife and mother.  This is my happy little corner of the interweb, where I share my scatter-brained approach to everyday living.  You can expect to find lots of tips, tricks, ideas, and resources to help you create the systems that work best for you when it comes to managing your home, time, family, and life in general.  Oh and printables!  Lots -no- TONS of free printables!!

 

A Few Things You Might Find Helpful

I’m always looking for ways to organize the Scattered Squirrel site to make it easier to navigate.  Just because something makes sense to me, doesn’t mean it will to others.  So here are a few tips I hope will make your time here better.

  • Links are bold, raspberry text like this —->  I am a Link  (it’s not really a link just an example)
  • To download one of the printables all you need to do is click the picture of it.  Depending on your browser or your browser settings it will either open the printable as a PDF in a new window where you can save and or print right from there, or it will open a dialog box asking you where you would like to save the file.
  • All the printables are PDFs
  • Also, I feel I should mention, that the printables shared here on Scattered Squirrel are free for personal use only. If you would like to use them for something other than personal use, please send me an email and we can work something out.  You can find my email on the Contact Me Page.  (see what I meant about the links?)
  • All of the pictures on this page are clickable, so feel free to check out where they go.

How about we take a little look around at some of what you can find here.

We All Have to Start Somewhere

When I first embarked on my journey to craft a more organized life for myself and my family my focus was solely on my home.  For years I struggled with how to properly manage my home.  What seemed to come so naturally to everyone else felt like a huge undertaking to me.  I kept thinking, if I can just get my home under control everything else will fall into place.  And while decluttering and organizing certainly helped, the most important lesson I learned was that it was not my home that needed organizing first, it was my time!

I can’t rewind the clock but I can pass the message on.  If you’re like me, and struggling with where to start on your organizing journey, maybe starting by taking a look at how you spend your time might be a good starting point for you.

Click the pictures above or the links below to check out those posts.

Home Organizing and Housekeeping Go Hand in Hand

It is always easier to clean a home that is organized.  When things have a home that makes sense to the people who live there, they tend to get put away more often.  If you don’t need to always tackle a mess of clutter before you clean, cleaning becomes easier.  It also becomes quicker!  And if you work at building cleaning time into your routines, it becomes even quicker, because the cleaning tasks won’t be so huge.  Below you’ll find links to two of my most popular posts about cleaning and organizing.

Click the pictures above or the links below to check out these posts.

Planners Are My Favourite Organizing Tool

Planners are one of the most versatile tools out there.  They can be used in so many ways for so many things, from managing your home to helping you build your routines.  I have a passion for creating and using planners to help keep me on track in different areas of my life.  But you don’t need many to get the benefits from them, you just one!  One that you’ve found that you love, or one that you’ve created to fit your own unique needs.

Not sure where to start?  Check out the two posts below for some ideas.

Click the photos above or the links below to check out those posts.

Over 400 Free Printables to Choose From

I believe that printables can be wonderful tools to use when you’re looking for ways to get and stay organized.  They allow you to create planners that are tailored specifically to your needs; easily change things as your needs change; and help get those ideas out of your head and onto paper where you can keep track of them.  In addition they also help:

  • keep important information organized
  • help you stay on track with all your home cleaning and maintenance
  • keeping those favorite recipes easy to find
  • creating your choice of time management system that works for you

Click the picture below or the text right here to check out the Free Printable Index.  (A list of almost all the printables on the website, with links to where to find them)

Enjoy the Pintables

The possibilities and uses for printables are pretty much endless in my book.  I love nothing better than letting my creative juices flow to try to find a way to help even one person carve out a little bit of organized bliss.  If you’d like to check out the printable galleries, simply click one of the pictures below to see all the printables contained in that category.

These are just a few small examples of what you can find here on Scattered Squirrel. I have so much more I would love to share with you, so please take your time, look around and most importantly, enjoy!

I love hearing from others about what is and isn’t working for them. Things they learned, or even just a quick hello.  Please feel free to leave me a comment on any post or page.   I try to answer each and every one of them.  Or, if you’d rather, you can drop me a line at:

alli {at} scatteredsquirrel.com

Again, thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you enjoy the posts and printables.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dianne in the desert says

    Oh, wow! You have done a fabulous job with the web site! Congratulations!

    The new site is terrific! Going to have to spend some time exploring!

  2. Jen says

    I recently “found” your site-LOVE IT!!! I have been stuck with my planner..now I am ready to get it all together…Thank to your advice, ect:)
    Many Thanks
    Jen
    (also a scatterbrain sahm of ASD & ADD myself..We need the structure)

    • Alli March says

      Hi Jen,

      Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I’m so happy you found some useful information here. I hope you find some printables to help you on your way. Structure is really important in our home too, sometimes I wish it wasn’t that way, but I know (from trial and error) that when I don’t implement it things get chaotic and crazy in no time at all.

  3. Alice says

    Thank you so much for all the printables and showing how to make your own journal. I bought the complete set of Arc a while back and had to stop buying because of the expense. Now, with your help, I can make my own at a much reasonable rate. Love your site.

    • Alli March says

      Oh Arc books can be dangerous! lol to the pocket book anyway. Staples Canada just brought out a line of new poly covers with matching coloured discs and I’ve had to hold myself back from buying one of everything! lol I’m so happy that you’re find some useful stuff here. If you ever have any questions, I’m always here. 🙂

  4. Jeanine says

    Wow, what a journey I have been on! It all started when I signed up for a year long digital art class on line. He suggested we get an arc system for our downloads, thoughts, ideas and even to put our printed artwork into.

    So I started looking into all the organizing systems, not really deciding on which one to get, but knew I needed the full size. Then I thought to myself, “Why can’t I make my own? Why not?

    So, this morning I goggled make your own and found, Linda at Paper Boutique. I watched a couple of her amazing videos and she mentioned your site and here I am.

    I am absolutely blown away at your attention to detail! Which one to get? Oh, I want them all! So thank you for all of your work my dear girl and I am giddy at the fun I am going to have designing this organization book.

    Your new best fan,

    Jeanine

    • Alli March says

      Hi Jeanine,

      I’m so happy you found us! The Arc books are a fantastic system, they’re so versatile they work for so many different kinds of things. There are lots of printables here to choose from to help you on your way, and if you ever need something you can’t find drop me a line, I take requests!

      I hope you had fun looking around.

  5. lee says

    just popped by to check out your site as per linda at paper boutique you do have printables but im gonna need more time to figure out what exactly i need

    thanks for being here

    best reguards
    your paperfriend, lee

    • Alli March says

      Hi Heather,
      I have thought about it, but I’m not sure what a teacher needs, as I’m not a teacher. If you have suggestions I’m open to hearing them. I’d love to create something that would help make a teacher’s life a little easier. 🙂

  7. ESTELA says

    Hello Alli,
    i really love your printable they drive me crazy
    i really want to add them on my planner but my planner is a personal size
    3.74 x 6.73
    i try ed re sizing from the printing options but it still prints out really big for my planner
    Please help!!
    i really want them!!

    • Alli March says

      Hi Estela,

      I’m so sorry they’re frustrating you. At this time I don’t have any in that size, but I’ll look into this and see if I can find a solution for you

  9. kristina sosa says

    THANK YOU SO MUCH! I love all the free printable. Just the right amount of design and all the right information. Not too much and not too little.

  10. sue sanders says

    I saw a picture of peggy penrose taking an art class-do you teach these and when and how much for each class-have wanted to do this for years . thank you

    • Alli March says

      I’m not sure where you saw that picture here, it might have been on one of the Ultimate Bundle posts. I do not offer art classes. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

  11. Chris C says

    G’day, I am hoping there is some way to use your printables as templates in MS Word so I can type rather than hand-write my planners.

    I’m completely open to the idea that there is a tech solution to my query that I don’t know. You see I’m not of your kind i.e.a digital native. But rather, I’m a demanding baby-boomer with more digital aspirations than I have skills!

    With gratitude and thanks to you and anyone who can enlighten me…

    Kind regards

    Chris

    • Alli March says

      Hi Chris,

      I wish I could be of more help, but I’m not sure if there is a way to use them as templates Word. They were designed with printing in mind and I use a graphics program to make them, so while they’re PDFs, they’re not technically documents.

      I don’t know if that makes any sense, but that’s the best way I can think of to describe them. Again, I wish I could have been more help. Maybe someone else will know how?

    • Brenda Miller says

      I,too, would like to insert a text box and type my appointments etc directly into the monthly calendar. It could be kept on my desk top. Brenda

      • Alli March says

        Hi Brenda,

        At this point, the printables are not editable. I do believe you can use Adobe Reader to add text or labels to PDFs, that might work in a pinch. I’m trying to figure out how to make them editable, but since I don’t use typical document design software, it’s a little harder for me. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.

  12. Alyssa says

    My mom pointed me to this site and said I’d be able to ask for custom stuff. For example I like the daily ones that are broken down by time, but I’d like them to start at 5am and end at 11pm… How do I request these changes?

    • Alli March says

      Hi Alyssa,

      You can make requests in two different ways. The first is to either let me know in the comments or send me an email through my contact page letting me know what you’d like to see. I’ll add your suggestions to my list for Reader Requests. I make no promises about when or if I’ll get to all of them, but I try to get to at least one each month. The other option, if you don’t want to wait, is to head on over to my Customized Printables page and place an order to have the printables you want customized to your specifications. I hope that helps.

  13. Michael Campbell says

    I just found your page through Pinterest. I absolutely love your designs. You do such wonderful work. I do have a question though as I’ve never used printables…do you have some kind of tutorial on how to put together a custom planner using your printables? I’m trying to work through it in my head, and I come up with buying a 3-ring binder, printing a page and then 3-hole punching it. But I can’t help but think the back of the page is blank and is wasting paper. I would love your advice! I also saw you asked in a post if someone binds them at Staples — would love to know what you’re talking about 🙂

    Any help you can give about printing pages so there’s no wasted paper and binding would be great !

    Thanks and all the best,

    Michael

    • Alli March says

      Hi Michael,

      I’m so glad you found us. I don’t currently have a tutorial for putting together planner, however, you might find this series –Creating the Planner that Works for You– helpful. I use the Arc books from Staples, which are bound with disc. You get all the flexibility of a binder with a similar feel to a coil bound book. But binders work just as well, it’s all a matter of preference.

      I tend to keep my monthly and weekly planner pages in separate sections, and use a post-it tab mark the current month and week so I can find them easily. How you set your planner up is totally up to.

      You can have an office supply store like Staples, Office Depot even UPS store, print and bind your planner for you. Just make sure to take the pdf files with you on a jump drive and talk to them about how many copies you need of each one, how you want them printed (back to back etc), and how you want them set up in your planner, and then choose your binding option from the ones they offer. One of their sales people should be able to walk your through the process.

    • Missy says

      I use the half-sized three-ringed notebooks. Take a sheet of 8. x 11 fold in half and match it up. I can get them at Goodwill for 29 cents. Target will have them for around $3.00 in their dollar section.
      As to not wasting the back of the paper, I have a system that works for my printer. I have an HP Officejet 4635. Got it on HSN. Always have a sale under a 100. Mine was discounted at Christmas time and paid 49.95 free shipping. Instant Print gave me 6 months free of monthly printing and I elected to use the 300 sheets per month. They do roll over a certain amount of pages each month and you can always drop the service down. This model has been upgraded. I have HP Instant Print with it. You pay a set fee each month. Do x amount of copies. For a certain amount of money. They send you free ink when needed and a postage paid envelope to send back the empty cartridges. 50 sheets for 2.99 100 sheets for 4.99 300 sheets for 9.99
      Each printer has its personality quirks I print out one sheet, take it off the rack and put back it WITHOUT turning it over. It will print on the back side going the right direction. If you do sticker labels or sticker paper, turn the paper facedown. My printer turns the paper over before it prints on it.
      You must use LANDSCAPE when doing the half-sized paper. The screen will show you what portrait looks like. Change to landscape and it will show you that is what you want. Just do not turn the paper over when putting back in to print on the back side AND DO NOT USE DOUBLE SIDED. Single prints only. Face up on mine to do the backside.
      I use a Franklin Covey hole punch I got it at Goodwill for 5.00. Usually cost 25.00. Rare fine. It is not a full sized hole punch but what I wanted.

  14. Brandy Sheahan says

    I love this website. I woke up this morning thinking about how I need a new planner to start my new teaching job. I never like the ones I find in the shops. I want certain things and no one planner has all the things I want. I thought, someone must have made a website where you can build your own planner. I found this site and I am in love. Thank you so so much. The best part I think is the idea that you can try out styles and see which one suits you best. I will print for one month and see how it goes. Thank you so much for all your hard work.

    • Alli March says

      Hi Brandy,
      I’m so happy you found us. There are plenty of planner printables here for you choose from and new ones coming out often. 🙂 I wish you lots of success in building your planner. Trying things out for a little while to see if they work is a great way to figure out your planner needs. If you ever have any questions or suggestions drop me a line.

  15. Deb says

    I have been looking for you for years…I have to be older than You! Thank You for this wonderful Website, I have signed up for your daily, Pinned You and Shared you for any of my friends who were looking for you too!

    • Alli March says

      Hi Deb, welcome!!!! I’m so glad you found us. Thanks so much for sharing, I hope you find a few posts and printable that will help you out.

  16. reychop says

    Hello. I am a medical student and your planners are literally saving my semester. I have printed some of them and finally came to grips with budgeting my time studying so thank you for making these planners available and taking the effort in organizing them in a practical but also fun manner. 🙂 My ring binder has been incredibly useful but boring so I don’t tend to use it. But now your printables have brought new life into this old beast and transformed it into a pleasant companion who keeps me organized.

    thanks again for your printables. 🙂

    • Alli March says

      Oh you are so sweet. Thank you so much for taking time to leave such a nice comment. I’m thrilled to hear that you’re finding some of the printables helpful. Best of luck on your schooling!

  17. Amy says

    I find free printables but none measure up to how marvelously spectacular yours are, not to mention the fact that they are full sets…..Your are Awesome ?

  18. Carolyn says

    Thank you so much for the free printable planners! I’ve found plenty of planners online but none that matched what I needed – until I found yours! These are exactly what I was looking for. I especially like the Daily Planner with no times. You just saved me a lot of time having to design my own, and I would have no idea how to make them as cute as yours! Again – a big thank you!

  19. Amanda says

    Hi. I love ur printables. I was wondering which sized ones I should use for an Avery mini binder? It holds 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 in documents. I feared the A5s might be too small. Thnx 🙂

    • Alli March says

      Hi Amanda,

      I would use the half-size printables. I have an Avery Mini binder too, that’s why I started creating half-size versions waaaay back when. They should work just fine in it.

  20. Kaitlin Bagwell says

    Hello there,
    I have recently come across your lovely planners and saw one that you made in 2013. It was a daily assignment printable. I like the designs I saw but I would really like one in blush color. I understand making one for just one person would be pretty silly but might i suggest that you could also make it in the variety colors that you make for your daily prtintables. I know SEVERAL of my college and high school friends would love to have this in their daily school lives. I understand that not all request can be fulfilled but I will do ANYTHING to get that student planner in blush color. Love your planner printables❤! Keep up the AWESOME work.

  21. Kaitlin Bagwell says

    Hello there,
    I have recently come across your lovely planners and saw one that you made in 2013. It was a daily assignment printable. I like the designs I saw but I would really like one in blush color. I understand making one for just one person would be pretty silly but might i suggest that you could also make it in the variety colors that you make for your daily prtintables. I know SEVERAL of my college and high school friends would love to have this in their daily school lives. I understand that not all request can be fulfilled but I will do ANYTHING to get that student planner in blush color. Love your planner printables!💞 Keep up the AWESOME work.

  22. Lynn Diuco says

    I just love your site. The pages are exactly what I have been looking for, unfortunately I need the personal sized pages. I will keep coming back for more ideas.

  23. DEBABRATA DAS GUPTA says

    HI, I AM DEV JUST HAPPEN TO BOUNCE ON YOUR PRINTABLE I WAS LOOKING AT GOOGLES. REALLY LIKES THEM . I LIKE THE WEB PAGE DESIGN & SIMPLICITY. GOOD WORK CARRY ON.

  24. Kelli says

    I am loving your site, especially the printables! We have a 4 year old, and 18-month old and a newborn due 7/2. I feel like we barely muddle through things and it’s driving me nuts! I’ve been struggling to find ways to organize our lives that work for us. I think I downloaded just about every printable you have and absolutely can’t wait to get started organizing our lives. Thanks so much for your work!

  25. Erica Buchkovich says

    Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for the wonderful planner, calendars and other fantastic printables you have available! I am so happy I found your blog and all of your helpful & organizational printables!

  26. Nancy says

    I can’t believe I found this website! It has more than what I’m looking for. I’m very ADHD as far as “executive functioning” which means I need easy organizational systems because I am a very visual person. I’ve been looking for something like this! Thank you!

    Nancy H
    Clemmons, NC

  27. Nika says

    Hi! I am just getting into planners and organizing my hectic life and i came about your site! I love the concept of everything! I was wondering though because I have a mini binder, that i purchased from target that doesn’t have a specific brand name, if the half sized inserts would work for it. On the dimensions it says that it fits 7in x 9.125in paper refills. Would that fit? it’s such a random size and i know it differs from the avery brand binders.

    • Alli March says

      Welcome to the site Nika! The half-size inserts will absolutely work with the mini-binders from Target, they’ll just be little smaller and take up less space in the binder than if it was an Avery mini-binder.

  28. Sierra says

    Thank you so much for making this site! I’m in college right now, and this is really going to help me schedule studying! I love all of the cute printable planners! 😀

  29. Melissa says

    I wanted to say that I found your site a couple of months ago and I love your printables! I used a few of yours and some stuff from a couple of other sites to make my own personal planner. I had yet to find a planner that I would use consistently until I made my own. I am fixing to add a financial section and yours is the first site that I came to to see if I could find what I need. And yes I did find it! I am so grateful that you offer your printables for free. Thank you!

    • Alli March says

      Hi Melissa, I’m so happy you found us and that you are finding some printables that are what you need for your planner. Thank you so much for you kind words.

    • Alli March says

      Hi Ann. Thank you! I have a few blank calendars that start on Monday, and I’ll have a few more to add to that collection later on this year. I don’t make the dated ones that way yet because of the time it takes to make the calendars. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help.

  32. Jordan says

    How do you make these planners. If there is a website I could use because I would like to be able to fill in certain dates.

    • Alli March says

      Hi Jordon, I design all the printables myself using a program called InkScape, but I know others who use Word, Excel, even PowerPoint to make theirs. It’s just a matter of what you programs you’re most comfortable using.

  33. Emma says

    Alli,
    I love your website and the printables are amazing. I have a question. The tabs, do you print them on stickers, if so which ones, or on paper and glue them?

    Thanks, Emma

    • Alli March says

      Hi Melodee, you bet – the full size are a US Letter page (8.5 x 11 inches) and the half-size (when cut down the middle) are 5.5 x 8.5 inches. I hope that helps.

  36. Hongoro says

    Hello from Mongolia
    I’ve just found your beautiful and creative printables. I am a mom of two so my life is a bit messy. I’ve printed out few of them and found really helpful. Thank you very much 😉
    Good Luck

  37. Julia W. says

    I would just like to say that your printables are just what this also-scatterbrained mom needed! They are so appealing, and I am so grateful that you took the time to make these and offer them for free!

    I love you!!! 😀

  38. Dillon says

    I just have to say, You have made my entire year. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS WEBSITE AND ITS PRINTABLES!!!! this is exactly what ive been looking for!

  39. Cat B says

    I am so pleased and grateful for you having created all of this and sharing it- several items will be a huge help for me, and I love the colors/designs. Many thanks! 🙂

    • ScatteredSquirrel says

      Hi Cat, thank you so much for your kind words. I’m thrilled that you like the printables.

  41. Amy says

    First and foremost, I want to say I finally feel slightly sane after working through your “From Scattered to Sane” series! But… I couldn’t find the last 5 days of posts?? I got through the master to do list and then a few days of printables. Then done? I felt there was no conclusion to the program. Please let me know if I missed them somewhere.

    My kids love the program, too, as it keeps all of us on the same schedule. Everything is written down and right in front of all of us. No more “What are we doing today, Mom?” Thank goodness! For a 12 year old son with high anxiety this has been the most effective planning program he has tried. It sure keeps us in check with each other so easily.

    Thank you thank you thank you!!

  42. stephanie says

    Thank you Alli for such a great resource for us scatter brains. i have the hardest time looking for the right planner and i feel like i will be able to make my personal one here! I enjoy your recipe printable’s and the food journals, but I’m looking to make maybe a printable for my self with a more in depth work out log with reps, weight and tracking and an assortment of gym prompts. I was wondering what you recommend to create a page? Adobe indesign? or word / maybe even a building system like canva? Thanks again Alli!

  43. Laura Traum says

    I want to thank you so much for taking the time, the late nights, the time away from your family, the time you wish you were doing something else for creating this site. It has blessed my life.

    • ScatteredSquirrel says

      Thank you so much for your kind words Laura. I’m happy to hear that you like the blog and that you’re finding it helpful.

  44. Tabatha Pettit says

    Hello,
    I’ve been using your Printables for some time now and I love them. I would like to see a meal tracker printable. One where you can write down what you eat and drink on a daily bases. Unless you have one and I just can’t find it.
    Thank you for the time and effort you put into making these printable.
    Tabatha

    • ScatteredSquirrel says

      Hi Tabitha, I’ll definitely add that to my list. I do have a Healthy Habits tracker that has a food log built in to it. If you type Healthy Habits tracker into the search box at the top of the page it’ll bring up the different posts that have them in it. I hope that helps.

  45. Sarah says

    I LOVE your work! It has just saved me!! I am a music teacher with a constantly rotating schedule, which means that typical weekly planners are nearly impossible to coordinate with my lesson planning. With a combination of one of my own templates and SEVERAL printables that I just downloaded from your site, I finally feel like I will have an awesome planner this year! Thanks so much for sharing all of your wonderful work!!

    • ScatteredSquirrel says

      That’s sound awesome Sarah! I’m so happy you found some printables that will help you set up your planner so it will work well for you. Best Wishes!