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Blog: Easy Organizing For Active Kids And Busy Parents
 Put an End to Paper Piling at Home
Are you a paper piler? Does your family contribute to these paper piles on a daily basis? Do you think you are in control of your piles, but in reality, your piles are in control of YOU?
As a former paper piler myself, I understand, and I have reformed, and so can you! There are tons of methods out there for managing daily papers, but quite honestly, some of them are not necessarily quick and easy. And, like all things related to organizing, if a system is too complicated, chances are it will not last. What follows is an easy, effective, and inexpensive way to manage the flow of your household paper and finally rediscover your countertops.
Before we begin, keep in mind, this paper management system will not replace your file cabinet; it is NOT for your permanent files of paid bills, reconciled bank statements or other important documents that every household must keep. This is for managing your incoming mail, incoming papers from your children's school, recipes you cut out of magazines, basically all those bits of paper that don't necessarily have a permanent home and, as a result, they camp out in miscellaneous piles throughout your house.
First, let's start with the supplies you will need for this system:
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An "In-Box" (this can be as decorative or basic as you taste prefers)
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File folders
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A small portable file unit, such as the one pictured below:
I like the size of this one because it is large enough to hold a lot of paperwork, but small enough to limit the items and force you to deal with them in a timely manner.
The first step is to collect all, yes ALL, of your piled papers and place them in the in-box. If you have more papers than your in-box can hold, use an empty box to corral the overflow.
Next, you will need to evaluate each piece of paper in your box, one at a time, and sort them into the categories that will eventually become your file titles. Every household may differ in terms of the categories they need, but these are the ones I like to use:
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To Do: These are the papers that require you to take action now (the Christmas card list that needs to be updated, the thank you card you need to write, the invitation you need to respond to).
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To Consider: Just as the title suggests, this folder is for things you are considering taking action on (torn pages from catalogs, or clippings from store advertisements for items you are thinking of purchasing; the picture of the designer living room you want to copy in your own house)
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To Hold: This is for items that you need to take action on at a later date, but you don't want to lose in the meantime (information about the upcoming school holiday show or field trip, your receipt for the girl scout cookies you purchased, an order form for the blood test you need to take next week.)
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To File: This is for papers you need to file in your long-term, permanent filing system. This is just a temporary holding zone for these papers until you have time to file them for good.
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To Read: Place school and community newsletters that you plan to read in here. Maybe a catalog you plan to browse, or even a magazine. When you know you will be somewhere that requires waiting (doctor's appointments, kids activities) just grab this file and go.
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Bills to Pay: File them in order of their due date, with the most recent one in front.
If you manage to accomplish all of this in one sitting, congratulate yourself for a job well done and take a break. However, commit yourself to the process of going through those files the next day, taking the necessary actions, filing those items in the To File category, and taking back control of the paper.
This system CAN work. But there are a few rules to ensure your success. First, all new paper coming into the house should be acted on immediately, placed in the appropriate folder, or, if you are pressed for time, placed in the in-box. Just be sure you do not let the in-box or the file box exceed capacity, or you will be back to the piles.
If you need any further clarification or have any questions at all about this system, feel free to contact me. Good luck, and good riddance to piles-forever!
Coming Next Week:
The holidays are fast approaching, and most of us are short on time. Next week I will have a short but sweet post for keeping things organized and simplified during this hectic time of the year. Until then, have a great week!
Simply yours,
Debbie
posted on: 12/14/2007 9:00:00 AM by Debbie Jordan Kravitz
category: Family
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Easy Organizing For Active Kids And Busy Parents
by Debbie Jordan Kravitz
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About Debbie:
Debbie Jordan Kravitz is a Professional Organizer, Author, and Owner of Virtually Organized by Debbie LLC. She is also a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). Debbie's goal is to help her clients customize, organize and simplify their lives so they can spend less time searching for their things and more time doing the things they love.
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