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Blog: Minimizing Financial Clutter
 52 WEEKS TO FINANCIAL ORGANIZATION: #15 – Warranties, Instruction Manuals & Receipts
The reason we take the time to file any type of paper is so we can retrieve it when we need it. In addition to our vital documents and tax-related papers, the most frequently sought-after documents are the instruction & warranty booklets we get when we make a major purchase.
And when we need them, we REALLY need them! If the item is broken, we need to find out how to fix it, and whether or not it is still covered by the manufacturer's warranty. We already have one problem on our hands – we don't need a second problem of having to search for the manual! Some pre-emptive organization is definitely worth the effort.
Paper or Plastic?
Choose your weapon! If you have room on a shelf, and you like to organize things in 3-ring binders, you can use clear sheet protectors in binders to hold your manuals. Because of the thickness and weight of many instruction manuals, be sure to purchase heavy-duty binders and sheet protectors.
On the other hand, if you don't have the shelf space, or don't care for the look of binders, you can file your manuals in your file cabinet or in a file box. Heavy-duty expandable folders work better than manila file folders or Pendaflex folders to hold manuals.
Your Homework for this Week
1. Gather ALL of your warranty booklets, instruction manuals, and purchase receipts (if you still have them) in one location.
2. Sort them into categories, such as:
Major Appliances
Small Appliances
Computers
Electronics
Photographic Equipment
Yard & Garden
Furniture
Home Furnishings
Tools
Home Improvements
Home Repairs & Maintenance
3. Discard paperwork for any items you no longer own.
4. If you have your purchase receipt, staple it to the inside cover of the manual.
5. For major appliances and equipment, record the model number and serial number inside the manual.
6. Choose your storage method: plastic sheet protectors in binders or file pockets in a file cabinet or file box. Use one binder or file pocket per category, and be sure to label it!
7. Obtain your supplies, and store your manuals for easy retrieval when you need them.
posted on: 4/19/2009 11:30:00 AM by Katherine Trezise
category: Finances
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Minimizing Financial Clutter
by Katherine Trezise
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About Katherine:
Katherine Trezise is president of Absolutely Organized, based in Baltimore, MD. She is president-elect of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. Katherine holds a masters degree in business administration, is a Certified Professional Organizer® and a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization®. Absolutely Organized specializes in helping people organize their homes, paperwork and financial records to make room in their lives for the things, people and activities that are most important to them.
Katherine's Website:
www.absolutely-organized.com
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