I have a confession to make. Santa is not the only one who makes lists. In fact, I make them. I make them all over the place. I use more post-it notes in a year's time and more notepads (usually the ones they give out for free around voting time) than any one person probably should. It keeps me organized. Plus, it makes me feel fabulous when I cross something off one of my lists.

What kind of lists do I make? I have a list for the following things on any given day:

*Our weekly menu posted on the side of the fridge.

(Thanks to my friend, Tina, over at The Happy Lil Homemaker I have a really cute, wipeable, one!)

* Grocery List

(I keep this running list on the side of my fridge and just add to it as things run out. It helps me avoid that "now what was it we ran out of...." question.)

* Financial Goals

In our home binder we keep a list of our financial goals we are working towards. It helps when I am having one of those moments where I get caught up in wanting something new that I really don't need, to be reminded of why I don't need it and what important goals I am saving my money for.

*Breakfast and Lunch Idea Lists

I keep lists of ideas for my little ones for breakfasts and lunches. This way when I am stuck for an idea I can just pull out my home binder, check the list, and I have quite a few to choose from.

* Home Project To Do List

Also in our home binder is a list of house projects we want to complete and it is listed in the order we would like to complete them. Usually smaller jobs are at the top, while major renovations work their way to the bottom. This is an ongoing list.

* Daily To Do List

Each morning before I leave for work I write 2 lists. One I take with me to work. This list has on it all the things I hope to accomplish before leaving work for the day. I try not to bring my work home with me. (This doesn't always happen.) I add to this list as the day goes on.

THe other daily list are chores and tasks I want to complete before going to bed each night. I try to get everything off my to-do list before hitting the sack. This list might include the following: windex front windows, laundry, empty dishwasher, prep tomorrow night's dinner, etc.

Sometimes my lists don't always make it onto notepad paper. There are often times when I have completed everything on my list except for one item. Often I will take that one item and put it on a sticky note and post it in a very obvious place like the fridge door, my dashboard of my car, the front door so I see it in the morning as I'm leaving.

I make all of these lists not because I am anal retentive (well, maybe I am), but because it helps to keep me from procrastinating. It helps to keep me organized. And because frankly, it helps to keep me sane! Do you keep a list for anything?