Paper is the toughest type of clutter. It just accumulates so fast and it never stops coming. Here are some more handy tips to keep your paperwork from driving you mad.
Receipts for a Home Business:
• Keep your business receipts in a separate area from your household files.
• If you don’t computerize, create separate folders or envelopes for each category of
business expense.
• Place each receipt or bill in its own folder or envelope immediately as it comes in.
• Every time you put a paid bill into its folder or envelope write down how much
was paid on the front of each envelope or folder, that way at the end of the year
simply add up your business expenses that you’ve already listed.
• Submit a list of expenses to your tax accountant. You won’t have to pay them to
go through all your receipts.
Organizing (Non-Digital) Pictures:
• Sort through your boxes of pictures and eliminate poor shots.
• Give away or toss photos that have little meaning to you.
• Don’t keep negatives unless you really think you’ll be making additional pictures.
• Write a brief description on the outside of the negatives’ envelope.
• Sort photos in chronological order or by categories like “trips”.
• If you have many pictures of one event, write a brief description of the event instead of labeling each individual picture.
• Use albums with acid-free paper.
• Consider using three-ring albums which allow you to add or move pages around.
Schedule Paperwork:
• Set aside at least one or two private hours every week for paperwork. This way
you’ll never get behind.
• Prioritize. First pay your bills, balance your checkbooks and reconcile any
statements. Next do any paperwork that’s left.
• File everything away immediately.
Reduce the Paper in Your Life:
• Cut down on the number of bank accounts you have.
• Reduce the number of credit cards you have.
• Cancel some of your more obscure magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
• Pay any bills you can online.
Bob Farkas is “The Clutter Wizard”, a “hands-on” home and office professional organizer serving The Santa Clarita Valley. His website, www.theclutterwizard.com, has many great hints and tips for staying organized. Bob can be reached via email atâ¯theclutterwizard@gmail.com or by phone at 661-298-9100.