• About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Mother's Niche

Enjoying the Ride

MENUMENU
  • Parenting
    • PARENTING TIPS

    • PREGNANCY & CHILD BIRTH

      5 Things to Know for Your First Month with a Newborn
    • CREATIVE IDEAS & PRINTABLES

    • THE HARD DAYS

    • HEALTH

  • Marriage
    • 30 DAYS TO A BETTER SPOUSE

    • MARRIAGE TIPS

    • HUSBAND BIRTHDAY IDEAS

  • Crafts/DIY
    • Beauty

    • Gift Ideas

    • Home Hacks

  • Travel
    • DISNEY & SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

    • FLORIDA

    • FLORIDA KEYS

    • HAWAII

    • TRAVEL WITH KIDS

  • Kid's Stuff
    • Busy Bag Ideas
    • Sensory Activity
    • Kid's Printables
    • Quiet Books
    • Summer Fun
    • Party Ideas
  • Home Organization
  • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / How to Organize Papers with this Genius Home Routine

September 11, 2017 By Tina M Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

How to Organize Papers with this Genius Home Routine

For those of you who have been involved in the 30 Day Clean Home Challenge, you are doing a wonderful job decluttering and getting organized! I have loved all of the pictures you are posting in our Clean and Organized in 30 Days Facebook group. One of the repeated questions from this week has been HOW TO ORGANIZE PAPERS.

And I understand why this questions on how to organize papers has been asked so much because paper clutter is a big problem in many homes.

But the good news is that your paper problems are about to be gone because this is the most effective way I have encountered on how to organize papers!

What You Will Need:


At home with the kids? Instantly access any of these printable activity bundles to keep them learning!


  • File Folders (I LOVE the Bright Colored ones)
  • A Portable File Box or Expanding File Folder
  • A Label Maker (I personally love this brand)

How to Organize Papers with a Short & Long Term Filing System

Okay, here’s what you need to do: Figure out where you can store short-term and long-term file folders. Many people have a long-term file system in place (where you keep taxes, birth certificates, etc.), but here’s why you need a SHORT-Term filing system:

1.) To keep paper flow at a minimum

2.) to manage papers with more frequent use

3.) To help with mail clutter

4.) To keep your sanity

My longer-term filing system is in my basement. This resulted in a lot of paper clutter in my home, because often I wouldn’t have the time to walk all the way downstairs to file something. This resulted in…..the kitchen counter getting cluttered, and sometimes important papers getting lost!

How to organize Papers: The Mail

How to organize papers in your home

Here is my routine for checking the mail:

1.) grab the mail from the mail box and walk straight to the outside garbage can. Dump all junk mail, coupons and papers inside

2.) Upon walking inside, sort mail before doing ANYTHING ELSE (this only takes a minute).

3.) Sort into 4 categories: Take action, Shred, “to file”, and Coupons. Most coupons get thrown away, but if there’s one I’m 100% sure I will use, it goes in the coupons file. If there is a bill or something that needs to be taken care of soon, it goes in the “take action” file. If there is a bank statement or something with my account number on it, it goes into the “shred” file. If it is an auto-insurance policy or a tax paper, it goes into my “to file” folder, which will later be placed in my long-term filing system in the basement office.

*I also like to keep a file folder for my husband in case a piece of mail comes for him that I don’t know what to do with.

*Remember to go through your mail folders at the end of each week

 

How to Organize Papers: Kids School Papers

In my short-term filing system, I also have a file folder for each of my kids. This is where important school papers and calendars will go. If the paper involves something that needs to happen within a few days, it can also be filed in the “take action” folder

The best way to organize all your papers

How to Organize Papers: Other miscellaneous papers

I also keep file folders for each month of the year: Jan-Dec. Do you host a family reunion every year in June? This is where your planning papers for that reunion will go. Do you have special Christmas traditions or gift assignments? You will store these papers under “December.”

You will also create any other files needed for your family’s short-term needs. Maybe you have a “family night file”, or a family council planning sheet. Adjust your files according to your family’s needs.

That’s it for now! What’s your best ways for how to organize papers?

 

Transform Your Life With Our Home Organization Guides!

The best ebooks on home organization

Pin this for later:

How to organize papers with a Family Filing System

  • Bio
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Latest Posts
Tina M

Tina M

I'm six-foot tall mother of three and I'm enjoying the view! I'm currently fighting a battle with Lyme disease and am determined to come out victorious. I enjoy warm summer rain, peanut butter everything, having dance parties with my husband and kids, natural remedies and healthy living. Most days I'm just looking for another excuse to avoid the piles of laundry.
Tina M

@MothersNiche

Tina M
Tina M

Tina M

Tina M

Latest posts by Tina M (see all)

  • How to Fly to Hawaii For Free - January 1, 2019
  • The Best Getaways For Couples (Anniversary, Babymoon and Honeymoon) - December 6, 2018
  • Grandchild Survival Kit (Great Christmas Gift Idea) - December 5, 2018
  • The BEST Black Friday Deal for Disneyland and Southern California Vacations (EXTENDED!) - November 20, 2018
Tweet
Pin790
Share8
798 Shares

Related

Tagged With: how to organize papers, organize papers

About Tina M

I'm six-foot tall mother of three and I'm enjoying the view! I'm currently fighting a battle with Lyme disease and am determined to come out victorious. I enjoy warm summer rain, peanut butter everything, having dance parties with my husband and kids, natural remedies and healthy living. Most days I'm just looking for another excuse to avoid the piles of laundry.

« #1 Tip for a Clean & Tidy Home
Get Rid of Paper Clutter: How to Organize Paper Clutter, Mail & Notes »

What do you think? Cancel reply

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

join the mother’s niche

All the best Tips and things I wish I had known (before visiting 3 Hawaiian Islands)

Join the Mother’s Niche



Copyright © 2021 · mothersniche.com ·Privacy Policy