Organizing papers

How do you organize papers that come in - bills (random ones like lab bills, etc that are not paperless), kids fliers, important receipts, things that will need to be put in the file cabinet when you have a free 10 minutes 30 years from now...? I feel like we have papers all over the house and I don't know how to organize them!

Organizing papers

I use hanging files and file folders in a file cabinet, organize by bill/ kid and year

Re: Organizing papers

Re: Organizing papers

In a small section of my kitchen, I have a paper holder with 3 tiers but it's a nice looking one that holds important papers that we may need, coupons, etc. One tier is specifically for my daughter. Then I have this cute basket bin next to it that holds things that need immediate attention such as a lab bill or papers to be filled out for my daughter's school. My to do lists are in there too since I like writing things down versus having it in my phone.

Re: Organizing papers

I have papers all over the place BUT I do have a system (even though I don't always follow it)... I have this red expandable file folder with different sections that I use for papers that are important & will need attention in the near future, or something I really don't want to misplace. Then I usually keep the stuff that needs immediate attention on my bedside table or in my handbag so I don't forget (like something I need to mail in the next few days for example). Then bills I've paid or papers I need to keep long term I make a pile for DH & he files them in our filing cabinet.

Re: Organizing papers

I purchased a lucite file folder with hanging files that I keep in my kitchen. I can put it away when I need to.

Re: Organizing papers

Throw them out!

Organizing papers

I open everything right away. Bills and receipts go in a plastic folder. When I'm done paying bills, I put them in a12 pocket accordion folder. Each year gets an accordion folder. Take up very little space. School paper goes on top of my planner so I know to act quickly. School work fits in a file folder in a large box.

Re: Organizing papers

We have one folder in the front of the top drawer of our file cabinet that is for thing that need to be dealt with. We try to go through it once a week to make sure we don't miss any bills.
We don't have kids, but forms that need to be filled to would go there too.

Stuff that needs to be kept long term goes in the appropriate file, but those do need to be cleaned out eventually.

Message edited 9/18/2017 11:06:56 AM.

Re: Organizing papers

I have binders in different colors for my papers.

In categories such as Auto, health, taxes, home expenses, assests of banking accounts, student loans and other liabilities.

Organizing papers

I save barely anything at work and at home. I do everything digitally. If something is a hardcopy, I just scan it and save it.

Re: Organizing papers

Re: Organizing papers

Thanks for all the ideas! Maybe I'll hit up staples this week!