Organizing Your Files
Organizing your files will mean that you can find the items that you are looking for straight away, without spending hours searching through piles of paperwork. Start a system that is easy to follow and will allow you to manage the paperwork that comes into your home.
Simple steps
There are simple steps that you need to follow that will allow you finally take control of the paperwork. It can be easy to take too long with the preparation and not long enough with the actual system, which can result in failure of the system.
Knowing the place that you are going to store the paperwork is the first step, filling cabinet or storage box? If you are going to be using a filing cabinet, and it is currently full with the paperwork you need to store, then you are going to need to relocate the files whilst you work on one drawer.
The filing cabinet method
Have empty hanging files and a labelling system sorted out before you start; also a great tool to have is poly-pockets and a marker.
Don’t take out of the old paperwork more than you can handle, because sometimes paperwork can take longer to sort than you might expect. As you sort have different files for your items. For instance, you will need one folder for each of your insurance policies; car, home and personal insurance policies need their own hanging files neatly labelled. With your policies, pop the paperwork in a poly-pocket and write on this the telephone number of the company, the date the policy started and when it is due to finish, as well as the price you paid for the policy.
When it is time to search for a new policy, or you need to make a claim, the basic information is already written on the front. This can save time hunting through paperwork looking for the information. When you take out a new policy put the details of this on the front of a new poly-pocket.
Because sorting paperwork out can take a long time, it is a great idea that you take your time, setting aside half an hour a day, this way you won’t get bored sorting the files.
But when you get new post into your home that needs filing, use the system you are setting up, it will save time and it will be organized.
The box method
If you plan to use a box for storing paper work, you are going to need to have files that you can put the paperwork in. Colour code the files for different areas, and this will make retrieval of the paperwork easy. Some storage boxes have the facility to note the contents on the edge of the box, so its contents are quickly identified. Keep an itemised list in the lid of the box, to indicate which colour represents which selection of files. You will need different files for your insurances but they could all be blue, that way you cut down the possibility of picking up the wrong file.
Whatever option you choose, be careful not to rush the task, because you will misplace items and this could jeopardise the whole system. It is important that once you are on top of your files and paperwork around your home, that you are constantly on the ball with putting away paper before it becomes a problem.
