Ok, we’re going to talk about paper again! As part of my anti-paper movement I’ve come up with a few simple solutions for the paper that I DO have to hang onto. Recently I shared how I organize my paper on the “In & Out” front. So, today I’ve got my part two for you that covers how to organize paper in regards to filing. Soooo exciting, I know! But seriously, you’ll be surprised how small you can get your files down to and how little you really need to file.
In my office I have set up two file trays for all of the paper that comes in. The paper that needs a “holding place.” The tray shown below is the “In & Out” file tray for my hubby and I. The bottom tray is where I put everything that needs to be filed. (Hello, it looks like I’ve been shopping at Target, I know BIG surprise!)
Well…from that little file tray is where I pull my items to be “filed.” The GOOD news is that when I go to file things, only about every six months, I end up recycling over half of what is in the file tray!
Now I’m going to breakdown for you how I went from a total of four file boxes to only two small file desktop holders. Organizing win!!!
BEFORE
The “before” was a stack of FOUR file boxes, that’s A LOT of paper and files!!!
This picture was taken back when we were “scaling back” (ha ha ha) and preparing for our pack out to move overseas. Well…as much as I purged then, I knew I could do better. So recently I purchased two of these…
My hope was that they would fit nicely into my desk cupboard and that I could still haul them out when it came time to add to them or look for something. (I like having my files portable, so I can watch TV while I organize!)
AFTER
The result turned out fantastic. I was able to condense through much purging and shredding and now I’ve got all of the files nicely organized in the two desktop holder file boxes. Ta da…
And they fit perfectly in my desk cupboard for easy access. I have all of our files in here with the exception of our Grab & Go Binder and our Household Manual Binder. I also have a small file drawer in my office drawer that holds immediate files of work and action items, and a small fireproof safe for those extra important papers too.
Happy Organizing!!!
*KISS – ONLY file what you HAVE to file. 🙂
- Receipts (after checking them against your statements)
- ATM receipts and deposit slips (as soon as the transactions have appeared on your bank statement)
- Utility and Telephone bills (shred once they are paid)
- Banking and Investment Statements (up until you receive your year-end statement)
- Paycheck Stubs
- Mortgage Statements
- Tax related Receipts
- Federal and State Income-Tax Returns (and all supporting paperwork) – keep for seven years
- Household Information (manuals, warranties, and home improvement receipts)
- Medical Bills and Statements
- Copy of your Will and Trusts
- Birth/Death Certificates
- Marriage Licenses
- Insurance Polices
- Passports
- Real Estate and Residence Records
- Copies of IRA and 401K, including Beneficiary-designation forms
