I remember when computers were becoming really popular and we all thought they would take care of our paper work pile ups. A man working next to me said he thought they would create more paperwork nightmares. From my observations this has become true.
I have 9 tips on how to declutter paper in our homes and offices:
1. Create a filing system that works for you. I use Freedom Filer that is based on placing everything in color coded categories. The first step is to gather up all your lose papers. Sort through every piece even though you might think you know what is in that stack—a bond or some other important piece of paper could be hiding.
Create a system to handle your mail by finding a home for your mail. This could be a basket, bowl, shoe box etc. someplace that you always place your mail so you know where it is and where to go when your ready to sort through it.
3. Do you wonder how long to keep papers? Utility bills only keep one month until you get your next bill and verify you have received credit for payment. If you can prove two different ways that you have paid the bill you don’t have to keep it past one month. The exception to this is if you want to compare last year’s bill to the current year. After you have done this, recycle, shred or trash them.
Anything that has to do with taxes put with the tax papers, don’t keep in separate folders.
Keep your will, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, adoption papers, military records, citizenship papers, power of attorney and copies of your 401D accounts along with the names of your beneficiaries, property titles, deeds and mortgages forever—to name a few.
Go to IRS.gov for information related to how long to keep tax records. They are usually to be kept for at least 7 years.
4. Use your computer for filing instead of printing off everything you receive. Keep the information in a folder on your computer. If you need to print it out you can do so if and when the need arises.
5. Pay your bills on line. Sign up for electronic bill pay and notify the company to send your bills via the internet.
6. Get your name off junk mail lists. Go to Google and search junk mail for several places you can sign up to get off lists. This will really help you organize clutter as you’ll have a lot less junk mail to organize.
7. Handle each piece of paper only once. Make a decision at the time you first pick up the paper and act on that decision.
8. Declutter paperwork by canceling magazine and newspaper subscriptions you don’t read. How to declutter magazines that are stacking up around your home is to go through them every three months and recycle them even if you haven’t read them, you can always find the information online.
9. Keep your inbox under control. Don’t let it overflow with papers that need filing. File on a regular basis so paper work doesn’t take over your life.
By taking care of paper that comes into your home a little at a time can free you up to do what you want to do and will help you declutter your home and life before it becomes a burden to you.
Marilyn is a professional organizer and invites you to visit her website , She is a sought after public speaker and author who is passionate about teaching ways to organize your life and how to reduce clutter. She works with women in their homes and offices. On her web site she teaches you to get rid of clutter by using her Lights On Organizing System. She provides practical information on how to declutter your home, office and life. In her blogs, articles, and videos she gives timely tips on how to clear clutter and how to declutter everything in your home and office. She is the author of a book called Go Organize! Conquer clutter in three simple steps which will be in major bookstores in December 2009.
