Paper Hoarders.

When you can’t find that one certificate that you swear is buried in this pile of papers, only to realise it’s in fact in a different pile, it’s time your filing system needs reorganising.

We all have those piles. Most of us realise when it’s time to sit down and thoroughly investigate what useless information we’ve kept. But for some of us, we simply put them in a place where we can’t see it. The thing is, you know they’re still there, just one pull of paper away from tipping over and spilling all over your floor.

If you run a business from home then a filing system is must, and even investing in a filing cabinet will help ten-fold. For others, a few A4 boxes or a small cabinet will do (see the photo on this blog for more ideas!). Also get yourself some plastic folders, preferably those with two sides open, as trying to get more and more A4 papers into one opening is not worth the hassle and effort.

Here’s one way to get started:

Get everything out! That’s right, every piece of paper and strew them all over your floor, being careful not to trap yourself into a corner.

Grab yourself an open top tray, that’s your activity pile. Everything that needs to be dealt with, put it in the tray. That way, you can see what you’ve got to do, and they’re easily accessible.

Now make some categories, any categories that fit in with your pile of papers. It could be certificates. Then insurance. Then bills. Then your child’s stuff. Keep going. Don’t make the categories too niche. The bigger the better. Write (in pencil) those categories on some labels that you’ll stick onto the plastic folders. If you think your category needs it own draw/box then go for it!

If you come across things that are from years ago, but you still have to keep for the pesky tax man, then put them in a box altogether and store it far away, i.e. in the loft or attic. Don’t forget to label!

Also, put the papers you’re throwing away straight into a recycling bag, and then into the bin on the same day.

You’ll thank yourself down the line when, with absolute ease, you grab your car insurance out of that folder named ‘Car’ and smile at saving precious time.

#filingsystem #decluttering #hoarding