Paper, Paper, Paper and More Paper….
No matter how hard we try to avoid it, we can’t! Although society is making a good effort to go paperless, we are not there yet. In the Getting Control of Paper Clutter Podcast, it’s important to understand where our paper is coming from, and go from there on developing a filing system that works!
Ideally, you want to create a system where you can find the papers you need, when you need them, without wasting any time! Remember to file the right papers, only 20% of the papers we file ever get retrieved!
If we ignore the piles of paper, the piles will only get bigger! Here are some tips on how to make your filing system conquer the paper clutter rather than adding to it!
Filing Tips To Contain The Paper Clutter:
Sort through existing files – Get rid of the old stuff.. If you don’t need, shred it! You will have less to organize if you have less paper.
Keep it simple - Don’t have such a complicated system that you fail to ever file at all. Instead of having several files for all of your Credit Card accounts, consider just One Credit Card file and put all of the statements into this one file. Label the files with the first word that comes to mind, this is most likely how you look for the item.
NO Misc. Files – If it doesn’t need to have its own file, then it probably does not need to be filed at all. Misc. files become dumping grounds which become paper piles just in file form.
Add new items to the front of the file – Most recent is always in the front, so if you need to retrieve a paper, it will take less time.
Do not overstuff – You want to leave around 1/4 empty to easily retrieve files and place new paper in. If a file is overstuffed, add a second file.
Online Bill Payer - Sign up as many of your bills as possible online.
Extra Supplies – Keep extra file folders, hanging folders, tabs, etc in the back of the filing cabinet, so they are easy and accessible when needed.
Don’t file with paperclips or rubber bands - They can ruin the quality of the paper, get snagged and destroy the paper.
File each day – At the end of each day, take a few minutes to file. In just a few minutes you could get 10 pieces of paper filed.
Purge your paper every year – To maintain your filing system, you have to consistently go through it and get rid of the old stuff! Tax time is a great reminder to get this done! If you are unsure of what papers to get rid of, ask your Tax Consultant or Financial Advisor, they will have the best advice on what is right for you.
Take back your time, your space, and your control!
Happy Organizing!
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