Go ahead and get organized. You'll love knowing that your bills are paid and you can get your hands on those important papers more easily once you tidy them up.
Is your filing cabinet bloated with paperwork? Do stacks of bills, receipts, junk mail, and other handouts seem to sprout up like weeds on your kitchen counter? We have good news for you. Get Organized Week is upon us, and we’re here to help you tame the paper-pile problem.
Step 1: Sort it out
To cut back on the plethora of paper, discard what already exists in digital form and won't be needed in the foreseeable future. We’re talking about bank and credit card statements, tax returns, and pay stubs. The rest should be sorted into two piles.
The first pile is for long-term papers. These are documents you need to keep indefinitely — say a year or more. Home loans, car loans, tax returns, home improvement records, warranties, and insurance policies would fall into this category, as would any paperwork you need for filing tax returns, such as medical receipts.
The second pile is for short-term papers that need to be kept around for less than a year. Some will be taken care of quickly, such as bills and invitations. Others will linger awhile, such as work schedules or a wedding invitation.
Step 2: Smart storage
Options abound for storage, but whatever you do, keep it in a place where you are most likely to see it and use it with ease. If papers tend to collect on your countertop, for instance, store and organize your short-term papers there.
Your system for permanent papers will depend on volume and complexity. Some may need a file cabinet, but most should find that a file box will do quite nicely. Organize short-term papers in stackable trays. We recommend reserving one slot for incoming bills or anything else that needs immediate attention, and a second slot for bills that you have already paid.
Step 3: Reduce paper
There is no point in devoting all this time and space to paperwork. If you’re like many, you have a mix of paper and digital bills. While getting organized, see if there are any you could convert to paperless.
So go ahead and tidy up. You'll love knowing that your bills are paid and you can get your hands on those important papers more easily.