How to Organize Your Paperwork

1. Temporary Baskets for paperwork:
   • Basket (1) – TO DO
   • Basket (2) – TO FILE
   • Basket (3) – TO PAY
   • Basket (4) – TO READ

2. Filing must become a habit. Make a specific time once a week to file things away that are in your Temporary Basket. If not, before you know it, you are sitting with an overwhelming mountain of paperwork.

3. Always keep important papers Safe:
   • Automobile information
   • Bank account numbers
   • Birth certificates
   • Credit card numbers
   • Deeds
   • Important receipts
   • Instructions
   • Insurance policies
   • Loan agreements
   • Marriage/Divorce certificates
   • Medical records
   • Mortgage agreements
   • Passports
   • PIN numbers
   • School transcripts
   • Service contracts
   • Tax returns (last 5 years)
   • Warranties
   • Wills

4. Use Different color Folders/ Tabs or labels: Group – Like – Subjects the same color. This will make it easier to find a specific folder when needed.

5. Invest in a good quality Filing Cabinet. Look for one that will be dependable but also not look unattractive in your home.

6. Recommended length of time to keep specific documents, varies:
   • Keep Forever: Permanent or Original documents that do not change over time. E.g. Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Social Security.
   • Keep for many years: Records of proof of Payment or Transaction. E.g. Tax Returns (3 to 6 Years), Car title, mortgage etc.
   • Keep for one year: Yearly Budget, bank statements, Auto Insurance Policies that expire.
   • Keep Temporarily: e.g. Credit Card receipts or account receipts, until they match with a new bill showing your last payment on it.

7. If all else fails, call Chaos 2 Organized to help you get a handle on your paperwork.

View this video on Office Organization

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• Posted in: Paperwork ♦ Stress and Clutter
• Tagged: Baskets;, blog, chaos 2 organized, documents;, filing cabinet;, Filing;, Important Papers;, organize;, Paperwork;, professional organizer