I've been stuck trying to figure out how to manage our paperwork. Bills, bank statements, etc. seem to overwhelm me. I could never find a system that didn't seem to require a lot of time & effort. I think I've finally figured it out.
I bought something similar to this:
I've labeled each section by category (i.e. "Utilities", "Medical", "Bank Statements", etc.). I did broad categories, rather than very specific, because that's what works best for me; still even if I have to pull something, the category isn't so large that it will take me long to find what I need. I put EVERYTHING in its section throughout the year, whether I think I'll need it or not (that gets rid of the pile of "Should I keep this?" items). At the end of the year, I'll throw out those "maybes" and transfer the keepers to 10 x 13 envelopes labeled by year (I'll probably do only two...financial & medical), to be stored in a large plastic bin. When I don't need to hold on to that particular envelope anymore, I'll burn it or shred the contents.
I'm still in the very early stages of doing this, but I'm amazed at how much I've gotten organized in a short amount of time. Trying to follow someone else's idea of organization was a little much, so I'm glad I finally found something I'll be able to live with & maintain. Wouldn't Laura be proud?
Need more great ideas? Head to Shannon's next week, when she resumes WFMW!
Melissa
4 comments:
Great idea! We get so overwhelmed by the volume of paper that comes into the house and don't keep up with filing on a regular basis!
Organization. It's a wonderful thing. You're right. We would be friends in real life.
Kate
Good work!
I'm a little obsessed with organization, but paper/mail is the one thing that I sometimes let get away with me. Usually because my system is too complicated or is someone else's. I find creating my own system that works with my habits and the way I think (like you did) works best! Way to go!
Very proud!!! You are solving a problem with a great system and hopefully reliefing some stress for you as well. Well done!
Laura
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