Drowning in paperwork

Triggles

I have switched over in the last year to scanning statements and paperwork such as instructions and such, then throwing the original. I keep a copy on my computer as well as an online backup. I am slowly working through my older papers doing this and organising it into files on my computer. It has REALLY cut down on the amount of paperwork I have floating around the house! (I have to say the instructions booklets are great for scanning - so many of them are huge booklets, but only a page or two in English as they have instructions in tons of different languages in the booklets. This way I have no paper copy, but a very short page or two scanned! And when I get rid of the item, I delete that particular file.)

That just leaves specific things that you need to keep originals - birth certificates, insurance certificate, car paperwork, things like that. I've even scanned some of DS2's artwork so I can look back at it, but not have stacks of coloured or painted pages! It works great!

allydowd

I file away all my essential paperwork in one of those folders that has a section for every letter of the alphabet. The folder has a handle so I can carry it easily. I think it was about £3.99 in Tesco.

And then every few months I shred what I no longer need to keep. And I try to always deal with my post immediately.

jenster

hello all happy new year
need some help whats the best way to decuter paperwork -- apart from the obvious - ( bin what u dont want) LOL

has anyone got a full proof method of organising paperwork and how long do u keep things for ? you know the post that comes and is put down ect ect till u cant see the coffeetable anymore

and hows does everyone file theres ?

and sugestions greatfully received

Kimitatsu

I run on a 3 box system - any post that comes in or any paperwork either goes in the bin/shredder, needs to be addressed so goes on my desk in the intray or needs to be filed. Things like bank statements I can see online so I dont tend to keep them after a couple of months (and at one bank have paperless billing anyway), bills I tend to keep although they are on DD until the next one comes in, just so I have a record of account numbers etc.

I still tend to find though that once a year or so I have to have a really good clean out and chuck out a fair chunk of the stuff I have kept mind so its not an infalliable system!

Souk08

Hi,

I'm a demon for all this so I read it and then file it in one of those expandable file things which I have tabs on saying things like Storecards, Council Tax, Phone, Internet. Foolproof and dead easy!

Penelope_Penguin

I have:

• a small filing cabinet for really important stuff (insurance docs, wills, health records, etc)
• a file for things I'll need in the next few weeks (dental appointments, school calendars, bills to pay, etc)
• a lever arch file for filing bills (though I'm moving to scanning them and storing electronically )
• various boxes for papers (recipes, work documents, children's stuff, etc)

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add it to the existing thread to give you more ideas.

Penny. x

Primrose

I spent yesterday morning clearing out a four drawer filing cabinet and was shocked at some of the old receipts I found - for equipment bought about 30 years ago, stored with the intention of being kept until the warranty ran out. I've had previously intermitten attempts at clearing paperwork but usually lost the will to live before completing the exercise. I've now scheduled an annual clear-out day in my diary to try and keep things in order for the future.

charlysez

i think i am missing something here, i hate paperwork, all my bills are online, i do get bank statements but once i have read them i shred them. any junk mail goes straight in the shredder too, unopened, unless there is an annoying free pen in it, which wont shred!

companies can provide copies of invoices/statements if they are ever needed, so why not free yourself up some space and dump it all?

kymbo82

My filing system is awful, I put it all in a cupboard and that's the lot, I have bought a filing folder to sort it all out but am unsure as to what to keep and what to throw?
My husband gets paid weekly and has payslips going back 4 years..hundreds of sheets. I know we had to keep his P60's but really all the payslips?
Also same for bank statements etc?
Any idea's on how to be organised with paperwork would be gratefully received also.
Thank you

kimmy112

i have this big case folder that i use for mine, it has different labelled sections for each bill, payslip etc.. it cost me £3 in Tesco