Organising Paperwork

Here is everything you'll need. A large file with dividing sections, all your paperwork (be sure to gather everything from all the different places it's been dumped around the house so you can be sure you're tackling the whole problem not just bits of it), a pen and some paper, and some cut pieces of card to act as labels for the different sections of your file (lots of files come with labels you can just write on. If this is the case it saves you a job).

First, split your pike of paperwork into categories. Remember to leave a big space for a 'recycle' pile, because no matter how good you THINK you've been at getting rid of things as you realise you no longer need them, there will be lots that can go! Your categories will be personal to you. My husband and I have a car each, and we have pets. Maybe you have a teen with a car and you have no pets. Try to fill each section of your file to allow for maximum separation and organisation.

These are my final categories. Important docs covers things like birth certificates, passports etc. Other covers things like receipts and warranties. Once you've decided your categories, write your labels.

Put all the labels into the slots in the file and sort your pre separated papers into the relevant sections.

There you have it! A minimised, organised system for allll things paperwork. It really is so much easier to manage admin jobs when everything is in one place. The file then becomes an annual or twice yearly job to clear out outdated things and add in any papers which have been overlooked and dumped in a drawer etc in a hurry.