An Organizational Solution for Busy Moms! 2011 Family Facts On-The-Go Organizer and Planner Review & Giveaway

I remember when I was in college I was forced to be more organized than I had ever been before. I now had my own bills to pay, a full load of classes and a work schedule to keep straight. I found making to-do lists or jotting things down on pieces of paper worked great. Over the years, life has obviously gotten even busier with kids, a home, blogging, etc though, and I've found that these 'organizational tools' I once found helpful only add to the clutter and disorganization. I was in need of a much better solution, and thanks to Family Facts, I now have found one!

For the past 22 years, Pam Schiller Socolow has been developing organizational systems for companies and individuals. While juggling work and family life with two young children, she realized the need for a better organizational system. In 1998 she started developing what is now the very popular and award-winning Family Life Organizer & Planner. The Family Facts line of products also includes everything from organizers and planners to time management pads of paper that are made to help you stay organized and take control of your busy life.

As I browsed the Family Facts website, I was very impressed with the products offered. Whether you're looking for a pregnancy organizer, an organizer for recipes, or something else....they have it all! I was especially drawn to the 2011 Family Facts On-The-Go Organizer & Planner . It's a portable, comprehensive organizer made especially for moms and those trying to manage the demands of busy family life. This is exactly what I've been needing, which is why I was very excited when I learned I was going to have the opportunity to review one!


Features/Benefits:

• Stylish
  
• Easy-to-use
• 16 months of weekly calendars
  
• More than 20 kinds of ill-in sheets (contact lists, car pool schedules, insurance info, and more)
  
• Over 300 stickers to mark special occasions and appointments
  
• Pocket Folders
• Business card holders
  
• Zippered vinyl pouch
  
• Matching Pen
• Vinyl binder

When the product arrived, I couldn't wait to check it out. As I pulled it out of the box I was immediately impressed with quality. I absolutely love the vinyl case. It's durable, waterproof and something I know will withstand daily use and being thrown in a bag or purse so I can take it with me on the go!

The size also caught my attention right away. I've tried using planners in the past that were either so small that I couldn't fit all that I need to in it, or too large and not convenient to take with me. This one is just perfect for my needs!

I also appreciate its stylish design and look. I don't mind carrying it with me or have it sitting on my kitchen counter. In fact, I've already received several compliments on it just in the time I've had it.

The fact that it's a binder is wonderful. It's not only easy to flip through the different pages and sections, but it also makes it easy to refill once the calendar year is over. Family Facts has refills available at www.family-facts.com so you can customize your planner the way you like it as well as keep costs down by not having to buy a new one every year!

Of course, I was most interested in finding out if it would be functional and something I could easily use. Upon opening it up, I was happy to see that it is! Not only are there tabs located on the side which help me to easily access the calendar, contacts and lists, but there is also a matching pen (which is pretty stylish all on it's own) that attaches right to the binder! Anything that makes staying organized easier is a must in my opinion!

I love the calendar. There is enough room for each day so that I can easily jot down any appointments, meetings, etc. that my hubby and I have going on. The fact that it's laid out weekly (rather than monthly) allows me to see what we all have going on that week so I can better plan.

The stickers that come along with it for use with the calendar are great as well. It's a fun way to keep track of things like birthdays, appointments, games, and schedules.

As I flipped through the pages, I found that it's so much more than just a day planner though. It's really an all-in-one resource for everything I need to keep straight. Other than the calendar which I absolutely love, there are more than 20 kinds of fill-in sheets including contact lists, school schedules, insurance info, movies to see, travel planners, medical info and more! The notes section has come in very handy already. It's a place where I can easily write down our grocery list and anything else I need to remember.

One of my favorite features is that there are actually folders, business card holders and a zippered pouch so I can keep loose papers like receipts and coupons all in one easy-to-find spot.


I've been very impressed with the Family Facts On-The-Go Organizer & Planner and think it's the perfect organizer for busy moms! Gone are the days of flipping through papers I've jotted something down on or wondering where my appointment cards disappeared to. I can easily keep everything organized and easy to find using this convenient product. I'm already beginning to feel more organized and can sense less stress because of it. What a great feeling!

Whether you're looking for you, or a gift for someone else, I would highly recommend checking out Family Facts and their great line of planners and organizers.

Buy It: You can purchase the Family Facts On-The-Go Organizer & Planner for just $14.95! This product is also available at Barnes and Noble in the US and Indigo Books and Chapters in Canada.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Family Facts On-The-Go Organizer & Planner like the one I received!

Mandatory Entry - To enter, visit Family Facts and leave a comment letting me know another one of their products that you like.

Extra Entries -(Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- 'Like' Family Facts on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Family Facts on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to both this post and Family Facts) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

Organizational Solution for Busy Moms! WIN a 2011 @FamilyFacts On-The-Go Organizer/Planner #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/9ociWv Ends 12/3

5. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

6. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

7. 2 extra entries- Become a Fan/Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

8. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end December 3rd and is open to the US Only

**[Product review & giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]**