OFFICE ORGANIZING How to create an ideal paper filing system.

Checking/savings accounts
Vehicles
Home Insurance
Life Insurance
Auto Insurance
Employer
Education
Medical/Dental
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Investments/Retirement
Credit Cards
Current Year Tax Records
Personal

Notes: All categories above can be subdivided. Example: Vehicles hanging file can have manila file folders with subcategories: Repairs, Nissan Sentra, Toyota 4 Runner, Tax/Tag.

All file contents need to be rotated every year to two years at a time in the active files. The contents can either be shredded or stored away in a bankers box if they are needed for a later use.

Wills
Birth Certificates
Social Security Statements
Marriage certificate
Death Certificates
Stock or bond certificates
Banking account numbers
Credit card numbers
Contracts/Legal papers
Insurance company numbers
Household inventory
Military Services Records
Deeds/Titles
Appraisals

Notes: All Permanent Inactive files should to be stored in a fireproof lock box at home or office. A safety deposit box is another ideal option.

All Permanent inactive files stay the same except for your household inventory, account numbers, and appraisals. They should be updated every two years.

Receipts
Paid Bills
Papers to file
Articles to read
Gift Ideas
Decorating Ideas

Notes: It is important to clean temporary files out once a year. Toss what is no longer needed. Receipts and paid bills can be stored away if needed for tax purposes.

Step 1
Find a spacious workspace, ideally a kitchen table, dining room table or long folding table. Clear, wipe your work surface down and let it dry.

Step 2
Start by setting up your file drawers with hanging files and sub-files. Make all of the labels needed to get you started, place them on your hanging files and manila sub-files.

Step 3
Set up your workstation. Bring your shredder to the work area along with a trashcan. Put a few banker boxes together for items that need to be stored away, such as, past taxes and old medical records. Bring your Sterilite boxes and paperwork to the table. If you have a huge amount of paper that needs to be sorted, then place the "to be sorted" paperwork into a few of the plastic boxes.

Step 4
Jump in & get started by taking a handful of paperwork and begin sorting into separate piles on the table. Shred what is no longer needed with your personal information. Throw away non-sensitive paperwork no longer needed into your trashcan. Start making piles of the keeps that have a labeled file folder or hanging file. Once your piles start growing, they can be filed away to make more room for paper sorting if necessary.While you are sorting and filing your paperwork subcategory labels can be made. This entire process can take anywhere from 8 to 60 hours. It's all according to the amount of work that needs to be done and how long it has been since you organized your paperwork. Continue the process until it is done.

Notes: The Sterilite boxes are great for storing away keepsakes, "to be sorted piles", any documents you do not need at hand and wish to remain waterproof. They are stackable and fit on many different types of shelves.

1. Opt Out.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt063.shtm

2. Switch from paper billing to electronic billing. Go to your biller's web site to switch your account over to electronic billing. If you cannot find the necessary link then call or email your service provider for directions on how to switch over.

3. Online Bill Pay. Sign up for online banking. If you need help go to your local bank and ask them to help you get started.