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Post by jodiboda on Oct 2, 2010 19:24:35 GMT -5
I have yet to figure out a system that works for me....to keep important papers, mail, bills, etc. organized but available. I had a large computer armoir that I just got rid of cause I wasn't using it. My current system is a huge, messy pile of papers on my dining room table. My coffee table is cleaned off NOW, but it usually has a huge pile on it, too. I have a basket of a few important bills and papers in it, but that's it. I've tried various filing system, but find that they're usually too time consuming to keep up with. But I can't tell you how many important deadlines I've missed cause papers disappear in the pile.
So, I'm asking those of you who have found a way that works for you...what is it?? What have you tried? And what works?
I realize this is an individual thing...what works for you may not work for me, but I'm desperate for some new ideas...
Jodiboda
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Post by dtesposito on Oct 2, 2010 19:48:40 GMT -5
I think it depends on how much paperwork you have. I live alone and have very few life complications, so a very simple system works for me. If you have a large family to keep track of, ongoing medical conditions/bills, investment property, or anything else that generates a lot of paper that you have to keep track of, then you would need something more complex.
I have one of those old-fashioned wooden bill-holder thingies that hangs on the wall (although I actually use only 1 of the 3 compartments) and any bill that is outstanding goes in there. When a new bill arrives I put it on my computer keyboard until I next use the computer, then I put it on my Outlook calendar to remind me to pay it a few days before it's due (a paper calendar would work just as well). The actual bill goes in the wall holder until it's paid. Since I started doing this several years ago I never forget to pay anything, no more bills getting buried in other paper on my desk.
I have a file cabinet for important paperwork, and I keep it up pretty well. I also use the cabinet for other filing, and I'm not up to date on the less important stuff, but anything important I make sure goes into the files right away. It's not overwhelming, because I've pared it down to a few basic files. I have only one file for paid bills for the current year, no need to have separate files for each utility company, charge card, etc. I keep the year's file for 5 years, and then get rid of it. I actually could get rid of most of the file sooner, but it doesn't take up a lot of space and it makes me feel better to have it around for a while. I also have a file for each bank I use, one for my tax returns, one for condo information, one for my animals' medical records and one for mine. They are clearly labeled and instead of piling things up somewhere to file at some future time, I've made myself put anything that goes into these important files right away. There isn't that much to put in them on a regular basis, actually, just the paid bills, and since they all go into the same file it's very easy.
If you don't have a file cabinet and don't have extensive complex paperwork, you could probably use one of those plastic file boxes--they make small ones with handles, and slightly larger ones with lids. The files have to be easily accessible though, if you have to unbury a file box to file papers away you'll never do it.
For me the key was having one spot--separate from the rest of my stuff and right out in the open-- to automatically put everything urgent that still needs to be handled. Once I mastered that concept the rest was easy.
Now, as for the boxes I still have of non-important paper I saved, well, I'm trying to go through it a little at a time. At this point, just about all of it is being discarded, but I still have to go through it "just in case"!
Diane
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2010 20:23:59 GMT -5
a file box. Keep up with the mail weekely or bi weekly. one box does it all.
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Post by dtesposito on Oct 2, 2010 21:39:52 GMT -5
Oh, that reminds me, I also adopted the "handle it once" rule. No looking through the mail and putting the pile down somewhere. Bring the mail in, pick up each piece and decide where it's going to go. The only exception is the few catalogues I still get that I want to look through, those go with my reading material on my couch.
Writing this out has made me realize that important paperwork was one of the first things I worked on to de-squalor. It was the thing that had the most impact, because losing bills can cost you a lot of money and time in the long run, not to mention legal issues.
Diane
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Post by BetsyMarie on Oct 2, 2010 21:53:06 GMT -5
I am in denial about papers.
Hands over eyes, ears plugged, la-la-la-la-la..... I can't hear you!!!
One of the best things we did was have the utility bills put on auto-pay. All we have to do is open the bills to make sure nothing is amiss with anything. The problem was procrastination, sloppiness, not the money. The bank now takes care of paying them so they are no longer late. We have had the phone and electric each cut off once, and that was more than enough - not only the inconvenience, but the fines, and embarrassment ("I tried to call you all day yesterday... where were you???"). Ack.
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Post by momofgirls on Oct 2, 2010 22:38:48 GMT -5
I use a folder for all the regular bills and other items I need to attend to in a timely manner. All those items come from the mail and go straight to the folder. Other things I may need to keep like tax statements or investment records that don't need to be delt with go right up to the file cabinet. Junk gets recycled immediately and shreddables go on the shreddeer pile. I shredder a couple times a year and file about once a year.
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Post by midlife on Oct 3, 2010 7:44:22 GMT -5
Oh god, I will clean ANYTHING rather than sort papers. Worst household job! It makes me feel so inadequate!
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Post by procrastinator on Oct 3, 2010 13:15:29 GMT -5
I have issues with bills and mails, but oddly enough not with filing them. My suggestions: 1. Limit the amount of paper you have coming into the house. Going on a no junk mailing list helps a lot. www.dmachoice.org/2. Get some file boxes. These don't have to be fancy. I use manila envelopes and folders. Depending on how much you have an accordion file may help too. Maybe use that for the stuff you don't really keep for too long (e.g. you don't need to keep more than a couple of months of your utility bills). 3. Deal with the mail/bills only once. 4. Figure out some general categories (e.g. utilities, rent/mortgage, car payment, student loan, insurance, etc.) Maybe each credit card has its own folder. 5. If you don't have a shredder, get one. You can get pretty inexpensive ones. 6. Have a fireproof box for things like birth certificates, deeds, etc. |
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