Got paperwork? Need to know what to do with it?
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Organizing your household paperwork - incoming mail, user manuals, tax receipts. How long should I keep paperwork? Incoming mail - this may be one of the biggest sources of frustration and clutter for many of us. If you live where your mailbox locks, you don't have to pick it up everyday! But, once you do bring it into your house have a plan for it. If time allows, deal with it immediately. If not, throw it into an inbox until you do have time. Start by tossing (or shredding) anything you don't want or need. Next, separate out anything that requires a follow up action on your part - a bill to pay, an rsvp to make, etc. These go in a To Do pile. If its magazines or catalogs that you want to look at later, throw them in a basket near your favorite chair to look at later. (But remember - the rule is that when the next one comes in, the old one has to go even if you haven't looked at it. If you find that you don't have time to look at your catalogs or magazines - cancel them). File anything you need for your active or permanent files (see below). If you really don't know what to do with it, keep a basket in your office, but then commit to going thru this pile at least once a month and deciding what to do with it. Tips: - Set up your bills on automatic payment and paperless billing - Get in the habit of managing your bank accounts online - Be honest with yourself, if you really don't have time to read magazines or peruse catalogs, cancel them Household Filing Systems Create an organized system for storing your important documents that will make it easy to file and easy to find what you are looking for. - Allocate time to do the project - Pull out any existing file folders that you already have set up - purge any old or obsolete information from these files, shred anything with personal information - Sort through your paper piles on your desk or your counters. Sort these piles into categories that are meaningful for you. You will have active files (this is information or resources related to something you are currently working on) and you will have permanent files (this is information you are required to retain but don't refer to often like tax or legal records) - Now that you can see what you are going to need to file, determine the best filing solution for your needs, space and budget - For fun, choose some colorful file folders that make you happy and file your piles by topic. You can use hanging file folders and use your colorful file folders for sub-topics. Label your folders for easy identification. - Maintain your file system now that you have spent the time to put it in place. If possible, file papers immediately. If this isn't possible create a "to be filed" basket and commit to filing once a week. Set aside a time once or twice a year to go through your files to maintain them. Tips: - Create one file folder for your current year taxes. File tax related documents such as charitable donation receipts throughout the year in this one file. The benefit of this is at tax time, all of your tax related documents will be in this one file. - Here is a great article from Consumer Reports on how long to keep documents
Household appliance user manuals, warranties, rebate information, receipts, small spare parts Set up a 3 ring binder or accordion folder where you can keep all of this paper together. Everything is all in one place and you will always know where to put things away and where to find this information when you need it. Tips - Create labels like: appliances, cleaning, electronics, tools to organize your system - Keep it in a handy place so its easy to access - Sort it out periodically and throw out anything you don't need anymore Fireproof Lock Box Invest in a fireproof lock box where you can keep essential documents and belongings in your home, even if you have a safety deposit box at the bank. Store your estate planning documents, other legal documents, deeds/titles, passports, antique photos, coin collections, etc. in this box. Be sure to let a trusted family member know about the box. If you have time, in an emergency, grab the box and take it with you.
Finally, consider professional help if this seems overwhelming- that's when you call me! |