bills, files, organization in general

Re: bills, files, organization in general

• Kinks

  February 2010

  Instead of going all the way and getting a filing cabinet, you can get a file box that will hold a bunch of hanging folders and just keep it around a computer desk or something. Target has some for about $10. Label the folders, and when you get a piece of paper you need to save, it's easy to just drop it right into the right folder. The categories I made include banking, insurance, retirement accounts, paystubs, medical bills, warranties, academic records, receipts, etc ...anything you feel is important enough to keep.

  For stuff that's really important or that you want to keep safe, I'd also recommend a fireproof safe box. I think a document-sized one might run you about $80-100. We got one as a wedding gift where we keep stuff like our birth certificates, marriage certificate, backup CDs of computer files and photos, and eventually the deed to our house and important legal stuff you wouldn't want to lose if something happened to your house. You can also use hanging file folders with some fireproof boxes, and it locks with a key.

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• thegastons

  February 2010

  When I do take the time to organize, I use file boxes - I have 2. I tend to keep entirely more than I need to though - I even have all my utility bills I receive in the mail even though I can access them online. I am trying to cut down on this though to reduce clutter.

  Although it sounds funny, my old boss (yes a man as you will see in a second) had a method that is generally pretty helpful if you stick to it. Its the F.A.R.T. method . You especially use it when going through mail and such, but could also be used when going through your paperwork. You have 4 categories - Follow Up, Action, Retain, and Trash. Follow Up are things that require you to fill something out or make phone calls, Action would be bills, retain would be your important documents and the trash speaks for itself.

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• Leigha12

  February 2010

  I buy plastic 13-pocket expanding accordian files--they have them anywhere that has school supplies. I label each folder for a month, and use the last pocket for undated items. Then I write the year and where I lived on the outside. They stay in our office closet in case I need something.
  

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• ditzydi_2000

  February 2010

  For the big things like car records, mortage stuff, student loans etc., I would get a binder of file box and then just dedicate sections for each type of bill.  Now for utility bills and stuff, I would just scan them so you have a record of them along with payment and then just shred them afterwards.  I hate excess paper at the casa so, I try to simplify my life by getting rid of everything once I have finished paying it. 

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• MrsRedRaiderGirl

  February 2010

  I have 2 things we do:
  For important papers (birth cert, marriage certs, SS cards, stock purchase docs, passports, etc), we keep these in a security box at the bank.  Its really cheap, and prevents these things from getting stolen, fire, etc.

  For bills - we use two things from pottery barn - one is a key holder with a little ledge, the other is a two slot magazine rack, which we use to hold DH's mail in one slot, mine in the other.  When we get home, we do a sort of mail right away, and dump all of the junk mail in recycling.  The rest of bills stay in the slots until we're done with them.  When we're done paying, they go into a filing cabinet. 

  
  

  Since a filing cabinet may be overkill for you, I'd suggest one of these magazine holders - and using manila folders.  This is what I did for awhile until we got too much paperwork.  For taxes, I set up a folder marked 2010 Taxes (or whatever year), and everytime we get a tax document, it goes immediately in this folder.  Good for selling stocks, donations,  etc so you don't lose the documents over the year.  Last thing I would recommend is getting a label maker if you like to be really neat/organized.  I like the uniformity of printed labels (that's the engineer in me), so it makes my organizing more fun when I print labels and it all looks pretty .

  

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