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How to Containerize Your Papers for an Organized Life. Print E-mail

How to Containerize Your Papers for an Organized Life.

Most papers are never referenced after taxes are filed. However, some papers must be kept for years. To keep your filing system from clogging up, give important papers a home of their own.

An effective filing system will help you...

01. Keep current information easily accessible and maintainable.

02. Keep support records from being lost in piles of reference materials and everyday information.

03. Keep vital documents safe and secure.

Home Filing System File Set Up

01. Create an Action Center or Tickler File.

An Action Center or landing pad will help you make a decision to act, use, file or immediately toss papers as they enter your home. Find out how to create an Action Center or Tickler File with this step by step article.

02. Create an Everyday File.

An Everyday File collects all the current years records for tax purposes and frequently referenced information. A file box near the Action Center provides a good solution.

03. Create a Reference File or Files.

Reference Files help you organize household manuals and other items that are infrequently accessed and not considered important. Place this file anywhere conveniently out of the way. Don't mix important papers with reference papers. Examples of Reference Files include a recipe binder, a household manual file or a garden journal.

04. Create an Important File.

The Important File holds all the past years support records. The IF file, if there is an emergency or if the IRS comes calling. A locked filing cabinet in a safe out of the way place is a good container for the Important File.

05. Create a Vital File.

The Vital File keeps vital documents safe. These documents are rarely, if ever, referenced but would be needed in an emergency. Put careful thought into where these papers will be stored. Consider a fireproof safe or a safety deposit box. A safe deposit box is a good choice for many but not all of your vital documents.

06. Create a Household Notebook.

A Household Notebook collects all the names and numbers referenced daily. Keep this near your Action Center. May we suggest the Life JOYS Household Notebook?

Checkout Filing:JOYS if you would like more specific step by step instructions, including pre-printed filing labels. The ten step instruction booklet will explain in detail how to set up a home filing system.