Free Yourself from the Piling Paper!
Why am I having so much trouble getting a handle on the paper in my home? It’s a common question I hear from clients. Even though most of the information we need is online, the amount of paper in the average home has skyrocketed. You’re not alone if you feel you’ll never get it all organized and get out from under the paper. The different types of paper in our homes are endless and include everything from old greeting cards and letters to junk mail, children’s artwork, bills, recipes, coupons, and magazines. The list goes on.
Where Does the Paper Come From
The big question is, what do we do with it all? As most people who have tried to organize their paper will tell you, it’s not easy. Why is that, you ask? From what I’ve seen in my own life and my experience as a home organizer, paper isn’t just paper!
Paper is:
- Responsibilities – Bills, statements, receipts, legal documents, manuals
- Memories – in the form of greeting cards from loved ones, artwork created by our children, and past projects that we may have worked on
- Inspiration – Recipes for delicious meals we want to prepare, work-out routines we hope to begin, articles on self-improvement how to’s
- Information – Coupons and sales flyers, menus, business cards
- Activity – Travel brochures, menus, social events
- Fear – What if I get rid of something I’ll need in the future?
No wonder it’s hard to get rid of! Each type of paper is unique, which brings circumstances and difficulties when trying to get them under control. You may be great with the bills and invoices, but things break down regarding the sentimental papers. Maybe you just have too many magazines and newspapers coming into the home.
How to Organize it All
The following process will enable you to create simple tactics to deal with the paper promptly and prevent things from piling up going forward.
The first step in getting the upper hand is assessing the papers already in your home:
- You’ll need to gather all the paper in one spot. That includes the recipes, menus, business cards from the kitchen junk drawer, and the mail piled on the bedside table.
Next, set up your sorting categories.
- Recycle & Shred baskets – While sorting, weed out anything you automatically know you won’t need.
- Action – Any items that require you to take action. Bills, phone calls, upcoming events, etc.
- Reference – Set broad categories for these. Common categories include medical, financial, insurance, tax, recreation, and memories.
Once you have your papers sorted into categories, start creating files.
- Assess the items in each category. Is it something you’ll need to add to often? If so, add subcategories so that it’s easier to locate information.
- For each item, ask yourself if you need the hard copy- perhaps the statement is online. If you’re unsure what financial papers to save, check with your accountant or the IRS website for current requirements.
- I also recommend having a separate tax folder – anything you’ll need when filing taxes should go here. It will be a time saver during tax season, as all your necessary documents and backup information will be in one spot.
TIP – I have found sorting the loose paper into categories helpful before pulling out anything from file cabinets or boxes. Often systems we had in place need to be updated for our current needs. It’s best to set up the new system and then incorporate the old files into the new system.
Once you begin going through your papers, you’ll better understand the types of files in your home and how best to set up your system. At a minimum, a filing system should include:
- A Place for Paper Coming In:
- Set up a box or desktop file with three sections:
- Important / Action – Items that you need to act on or have a deadline – bills, events to go onto a calendar, calls to be made.
- Reading – Informational items such as menus, recipes, articles of interest, and future events.
- Reference Information – You would place receipts, paid invoices, and statements here.
- Set up a box or desktop file with three sections:
- A Way to Maintain the System – With a few simple steps, you’ll gain the upper hand on your paper woes!!
- Set up your Incoming Box in a spot that makes sense to you. Where do you normally drop your mail? Ideally, it would be near where you process your paperwork.
- You’ll need to set aside some time each week to review and process the files in your Incoming box.
Take your time. It’s normal to get overwhelmed, especially from more sentimental categories. I recommend getting the household papers in shape first and then setting aside time to work on items with more emotional attachment.
Some lessons I’ve learned from dealing with papers are:
- You know what files you need to retrieve information from, so make it easy to access the materials you need often.
- The more we save, the less likely we’ll ever look at it again. Limit yourself to the most special, and store them in a book, binder, frame, or box that you can easily access.
- Be honest with yourself. There’s a difference between recipes saved and meals prepared. Only save what you will truly use.
- Too much of anything is a distraction. Limit the distractions and increase your enjoyment of your home!
Let us help you gain control of your paper piles and set up the perfect system for you! Contact us