Week 9: Organize Your Files

This week's goals:

If you already have a filing system in place, go through your files and toss all useless or outdated information. Keep a shredder handy.

Gather up your papers!! This can be overwhelming, so go room by room and don't avoid stashes you've tucked out of sight. Immediately sort out the junk and toss it. Place the remaining "To File" papers in one location where you will file. Keep in mind that 80 percent of what we file is never looked at again; therefore, chances are it can be tossed. If there is a copy of the document filed in another place or if the information can be easily retrieved from the Internet, throw it away!

Set up a filing system. Set up your files in a "straight tab" format, so that all the tabs are lined up one behind the other. Color code your files based on categories and do not use "miscellaneous" for a category. Here are examples of categories you may want to create:

-Bank statements

-Credit card statements

-Pay stubs/work related expenses

-School information (one for each child)

-Home and auto insurance

-Health insurance

-Tax information

Start filing! Sort through all of your "to file" papers gathered in Goal 2 and separate them by category. Use broad categories so you don't have lots of files with only one or two items each. Each pile should have it's own folder.

When your files are set up, create a master page that lists all the files under each category.

Choose one storage space for your addresses and business cards.

Tips:

Keep a small tray on your desk for the files you are currently working on or keep them in the front of your top filing drawer.

If the information can be found on the internet, toss the paper!

The key to organizing addresses is to choose a system that will allow you to keep up with the changes.

Use a three-ring binder with inserts to store your business cards.

If you create a file for a large event or activity you are planning, remember to purge the file after the event has taken place.

Stay Organized!

Once a Month

File the papers waiting in your "to file" bin

Add any new addresses and phone numbers into your system

Every 3-6 Months

Go through your files and toss anything you don't need to keep.

Once a Year

Every January, clean out your file folders