How do you keep your home office organized?

Diana&Derek · March 2011

I'm finding that I have a ton of papers saved that I'm not sure if I really even need and I'm starting to get a little overwhelmed. I have about 3 Target bags full of papers! I've filed stuff in the past, but over the past year or so, I've got so lazy with it. I realize once I go through it, it'll be easier to keep up, but I need to get to that point....

What kind of filing system do you use? Do you keep a different folder for each type of bill/slip/statement? How do you have everything organized in your home office? All in filing cabinets or bins? Help! Thanks

Temp6313048411121614 · March 2011

I keep very few papers. I keep the current's month bills until they're paid, then dispose of them. The only papers I really keep are tax papers. Receipts that you think you may need (or any other papers you can't stand to get rid of, scan into the computer). GL.

101709lovey · March 2011

I agree w/ pp. I keep as little as possible. I keep my current bill until its paid, then take it to work and shred it. For receipts that I need to keep for a short time (such as for clothes purchases, household items, etc that have the potential for needing to be returned) I will put them into a mini accordion folder until that return time expires. Everything else I keep in a larger accordion folder and keep it on a bookshelf in the office.

I have been interested lately in those decorative type baskets to make it look nicer while staying organized. HTH!

britneyg619 · March 2011

Aussie*s_Mom:
I keep very few papers. I keep the current's month bills until they're paid, then dispose of them. The only papers I really keep are tax papers. Receipts that you think you may need (or any other papers you can't stand to get rid of, scan into the computer). GL.

This!

dairygirl19 · March 2011

I have to keep a ton of papers (actual copies, not just scans) for tax bus. reasons.

We use those Sterilite, file boxes. Handy and easy. We have the filed labels according to certain topics. Not to general we can't find anything, not too specific it becomes a PITA. At the end of the year we stack in the closet shelf for future reference. I think I can get about 10 in there, and by that time we can start pitching and start over. Cuts down on the papertrail because it's easy.

For house bills, ditto pp. I only save a year at a time in an accordian file which all fit in my bottom drawer. Then I dump and scan the most important.

Baskets, canisters and hanging shelving wherever you can also helped us.

I also like stackable file trays for stuff I need to dig through daily.

Daisy07gray · March 2011

I used to group files by type (medical, auto, home, spending, school loans, etc) and then sub-group (credit cards, dental/dr, cars). I'm not totally sure/ on board with MH's organizing system but my system worked great for me in the past- now I just ask for papers :-P

lilqtfox69 · March 2011

I have 1 accordion file system for all bills, and keep about a year of each. Most of ours are auto pay so we don't get printed statements often. I have another accordion system for all medical stuff and important papers such as: doctor, dentist, passport/birth certificate, credit reports, etc. It works great because my husband knows if it's a bill its in the green file and if its other paperwork its in the brown one. I keep receipts in a small basket with papers used often and throw them away after the return period expires.

How do you keep your home office organized?

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