If only your life had a central command station — some subterranean control room with a staff of buzz-cut wonks in shirtsleeves, staring at monitors that flash alerts for soon-to-be-overdue library books and rapidly approaching birthdays.

Until you're able to retrofit the basement, you can set up a simple family command center to keep track of incoming information. All it requires is a few basic tools and a few unbreakable rules.

The Unbreakable Rules

When paperwork comes into the house, read it and route it. Attack — don't stack.

Toss junk mail and sort the rest into each family member's in box.

Log everyone's appointments on a communal calendar.

Log schedules for vacations, lessons, soccer games, and the like on the calendar, then put the schedules in binders to refer to later.

Items that need to be signed — like permission slips — go in Mom's or Dad's box (depending on who is the designated signer).

Post invitations, tickets, and membership cards on a bulletin or magnet board.

The 4 Basic Tools

In Boxes
Every family member needs one. (Shown here: Wall Pockets, which hook to one another, $10 for two at the www.containerstore.com.)

Deliver mail and phone messages to each person's box.

Put school notices and notes to be signed into the designated signer's box.

Calendar
Choose a large monthly calendar. Paper is preferable to a dry-erase board; you can make notes on future months, and you'll have a record of events that have passed. (You can print out a smaller version at www.printfree.com.) Hang the calendar or attach it to the refrigerator door.

Before you start a new calendar, flip through the year and enter birthdays, anniversaries, and work and school holidays. Jot down a reminder a week ahead of important occasions so you have time to send a card or buy a gift.

Log in plans as they come up: parties, field trips, sporting events, meetings, medical appointments, vacations.

Assign each family member a color; use it to highlight or put a dot next to that person's activities. Everyone can quickly determine which appointments are his or hers.

Bulletin Board
Whether it's cork or metal, a board is essential. Use it for items that need to be visible.

Recycling calendar

Phone list

Membership cards and coupons

Invitations (don't forget to mark the date on the calendar)

Key organizer

Binders
An easy way to keep important documents within arm's reach.

Write out tabs for each family member, or organize by activity — school, church, volunteer work.)

Use plastic sleeves to protect often-used info, like class phone lists, team schedules, and take-out menus.)