The Peaceful Mom

By

How to Organize Paper Quickly

Affiliate Link Disclosure B

Drowning in paper? Let me show you how to organize paper quickly — in just 5 to 10 minutes a day. PLUS enter a fun giveaway at the end of the post!

 

The Paper Problem

Paper, paper, paper. It’s everywhere, coming into our homes on a daily basis from mail to magazines, newspapers to notices, school calendars to sales flyers.

And because the paper is flowing into your house at such a fast rate, you need to have systems to deal with it or you can quickly become overwhelmed.

 

How to Organize Paper Quickly

To organize your paper piles, follow these simple steps.

 

Create an Inbox

One of the basic tenets of organization is “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Part of the problem with paper is that it comes from different sources and we tend to pile it in multiple spots in our home. The mail ends up on the entry way table; kids’ school papers on the kitchen counter and bills on the dining room table.

But all of these piles represent a mental and emotional drain on you because your space is cluttered and the papers remind you that you need to take some kind of action.

Your first step is to immediately decrease your stress by creating a specific “home” for all of your papers. I suggest a shallow basket, box or bin on your desk or near the area where you do your paperwork. Once the paper comes into the house, it goes into the inbox.

 

Set Up Binders & Files

Your next step is to set up binders or files for the main categories of papers that are coming into your home. Start with the following basic categories and add additional binders or files if necessary.

Home Binder – This binder is for home maintenance records, contact information for services you use and

Budget Binder- Use this binder to track expenses, file bills to be paid, and set financial goals. Read How to Make a Budget Binder for details.

Official Records –  This binder or filing system is for official documents like social security cards; financial records like deeds and tax returns; and other important papers like medical records. Read How to Set Up an Essential Papers File.

Kids’ School Paperwork- Use this binder to hold all of the school papers you need to reference. For more information, read How to Organize School Papers.

 

Process Paper Immediately

Once you’ve created “homes” for your paper, your next step is to create the habit of processing paper immediately. All those papers fall into five basic categories:

Trash – papers that can go immediately into the trash bin such as solicitations, junk mail, etc.;

Shred – papers with personal information like credit card applications;

Reference – papers you need to look at again such as school menus or calendars;

Record-Keeping- papers that need to be filed and kept for a certain period of time such as tax returns;

Action – papers that require you to take an action such as bills that need to be paid, invitations, letters you need to respond to.

 

When paper comes into your home, if it falls into one of the first four categories you can process it within five minutes or less. For example, I open mail immediately, throw away any trash, place items to be shredded in a box in my office and place papers that require action or need to be filed in my inbox.

 

 

Schedule “Desk Day”

Once you have a place to keep your papers, and you’ve established the habit of processing paper immediately, your next step is to schedule a time to for filing and taking care of action items.

Friday is payday so I have chosen that day as my “desk day”, the day when I process all of the papers each week. I pay bills that are due the next week, and place bills with a later due date in the front pocket of my budget binder. I then mark the date on the pay day before the due date on my calendar to make sure I avoid late fees.

I also take care of any papers that need to be filed. If I don’t have time to file them immediately, I place them in my “To Be Filed” folder which stays on the shelf next to my desk.

 

 

Eliminate Paper Whenever Possible

In the past I used a printable grocery list and printable meal planner on my fridge, and you should continue to do that if it works for you. I have found that using the Evernote app to keep my shopping list and menu for the week simplifies my life because my phone (and the app) are always with me. I also use Evernote to create a master to-do list for home and business, and to help plan my week.

You can read more about how I use Evernote HERE and sign up for free.

 

 

Deal With Your Backlog

If you have a huge pile of papers that you need to work through, you are not alone. I had a paper pileup after I was involved in a car accident. Once everything calmed down, I created the 10 Minute Paper Pile Fix to help me quickly get a grip on the backlog.

You can read the details of the 10 Minute Paper Pile Fix HERE.

{Contest Closed}

Just for fun (and to encourage you to clear your desk!), I’m giving away this cute stationery set from Target and a $25 Target gift card.

To enter to win:

 

Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite paper organizing tip or how you would use the Target gift card. (eMail readers will need to click through the title of this post then scroll to the bottom of the post to leave a comment.)

 

Contest Rules:

One entry per person. Contest ends Monday, May 1st at 9 a.m. EST and is open to U.S. residents only. One winner will be randomly selected from the comments on this post and notified by email.

 

Here’s to Purging the Paper Piles!

Kimberlee Heart Signature 3

 

 

 

 

  You May Also Enjoy:

More Organizing Tools

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I would use the Target gift card to purchase the supplies I need to get my papers organized! Thank you for all your helpful info!

  2. HI, Kimberlee! I would use the Target card to purchase decorative file folders for use at my desk. There are papers that I need to keep handy but want the desk area to be attractive as well. Thanks for the opportunity!

  3. I can’t wait to start to use Evernote and see how it can help me be organized. With the $25 Target gift card, I would like to purchase a fire safe box to keep important records and computer passwords in, and digital backups when I get to that place in my organization. Thanks so much for the organization tips!

    • You are very welcome Catt — and yes, a fireproof box is a must-have item.

  4. I too love evernote but need to rearrange my notebooks/stacks now that I know how I’m using it more. With the Target gift card, I’d love to get a fire safe box. Working on minimizing paper but that also means digital backups and I’d like to keep them safe!

    • I have had to re-arrange my notebooks and stacks a couple of times too Lynne. 🙂

  5. This is a great list of tips and helpful suggestions. Thank you for posting!! I currently have an extendable file with a close top lid for all the immediate receipts. Looking forward to trying some of your tips!!

  6. I’m so excited I found you, Kimberlee! I’m always trying to find new ways to organize. I currently have a 2 drawer filing cabinet in our spare room closet that I got for $5 at an auction and I love! It keeps all the papers I need to keep in an organized spot and it’s easily accessible, but not an eye sore! I’d love to use the Target gift card to get more organizing supplies. Thanks again and I hope you have a great day!

  7. I am notoriously disorganized with mail. Out of sight, for me, is out of mind. So, I’ve found that keeping sorting folders or binders on my kitchen counter is a must! Otherwise, bills and important papers can get lost in the shuffle. Great post and great suggestions!

  8. I have a fireproof box that holds file folders that are labeled with importment things that need to be kept long term and safe then a “31” file holder that I kept short term and need action folders labeled so that are easily accessible.

  9. I keep hearing about Evernote, so will look into that, as I am notorious for collecting bits of lists here and there, and then they become a pile of their own, ugh! Also the idea of planning desk time, which I think I already do but realize it’s all mental and not enough follow-thru, and therefore I feel I’m always spinning my wheels and don’t have much to show for my time. I really like how you break it down for us into micro-‘no brainer’ steps yet you encourage our own creativity and flexibility. I am a sucker for all things office supply/paper related, especially cute folders, note pads and fun clips!

    As far as my 2-cents, I found a set of large clips somewhere of different colors and labels such as “urgent”, “file”, “follow-up” etc. and use those for sorting important items/bills to pay, etc., also any cute folders I’ve come across for categories helps things stand out in the eventual piles that occur. We also found a tiered vertical sorter stand so that ‘hot topic’ folders can stand up and all be visible at once, in way less space than a horizontal one or precarious trays. Getting my hubby on board with helping with mail and filing has been a blessing and while we’ve come a long way, there’s still room for lots of improvement!

  10. I like the idea of using the Evernote app. This is something I am not familiar with. Thanks for providing info on it. As for the Target gift card, I would use it toward purchasing organizational items for my daughter, who will be entering college in the fall. Thanks for all of the helpful information!

  11. I have a basket that I keep all my incoming stuff in. On Friday evening or Saturday morning I go through it an sort, toss and file. If it needs an action – I write it down in my planner about 3 days before its due so that I do not forget it.

  12. I am currently in the process of putting some systems in place for all of my paper clutter. I would love to use the Target gift card towards some file folders, avery labels and baskets.

  13. I have three cardboard magazine boxes on my desk that I use to file papers temporarily until they can go to their home. Time sensitive, low priority, sentimental/keep. I would like to buy something more permanent to organize my desk and keep my to do lists together.

  14. Online Bill Pay and never bringing junk mail into the house are my 2 best ways to keep paper clutter down! 🙂

    • Yes! Online bill pay is a great way to keep the paper clutter at at bay. Thanks for commenting Janet!

  15. Paper, paper, everywhere! I definitely like the ideas of opening the mail over the trash can and having a designated day/time to handle the paperwork. I would use the giftcard toward a new shredder. My paper shredder broke a few months ago and things have been so busy that mail and papers in general have just gotten out of control. Thanks for all the ideas.

  16. Thanks so much! My life is filled with paperwork! I was a pack rat when I was teaching. I’ve taken an early retirement and am living on disability benefits. I have medical papers, disability paperwork, insurance forms, bills, and all sorts of paperwork everywhere! I love the idea of the 3-folders! It’s making sorting through mail so much less stressful. It also feels like there’s less to mess with because when it’s sorted into 3 piles & not just 1 tall pile. I will visit with you and your resources daily!

    • So glad to help Suzy! You probably already thought of this, but it may be helpful to put your medical/insurance papers into one binder for easy access. You could use dividers for disability information, medical bills, etc. Hope that helps!

  17. I love the “desk day”! When I was a SAHM , I was on top if paperwork, bills, etc… Now that I am working again, we have moved, our son is older and involved in more, I just do not have the time to be as organized as I was. Our budget is worked at end of the mo th for the following month, but the reality is that I cannot get on a schedule to handle it all during the month. Definitely printing upyour Budget Binder today, because this isn’t the “prettified” way of doing it. It’s fun, quirky and “real”. Thanks!!

  18. I would use the Target gift card to buy some cute office supplies in happy colors to help me get organized!

  19. Kimberlee!!! I swear you must have had esp! I have stacks of paper… And I thought, I need to check the peaceful mom.com because she is practical and wise!!! And boom! Here it was in my Instagram feed!!!! I would use that $25 to get a few things to make me LOOK FORWARD to desk time 🙂 haha!!! Your tips are ALL so helpful!!! Thank you! Now, how do you find “desk time” when you have three small children??? Or maybe you’re free for babysitting?????

    • Ha! So glad to help you Alicia. 🙂 As far as finding time for paperwork with littles, it is a challenge. A couple of ideas are sitting them down for a few minutes with a video; asking a friend or your hubby to take over for 30 minutes or an hour if you need it; and taking a few minutes during naptime, although with three it’s a challenge to get them all on the same schedule. Have you seen my post How I Survived with Four Kids Ages 5 and Under? I have some helpful tips including a Preschool Mom’s Helper printable.

      You can do this!

  20. OH PAPER!!!! With a target gift card I would buy stackable in boxes for each category. Our biggest pAper problem is the kids school papers. Way too many!!!! Instead of keeping everything I have them pick out their best ones.

  21. My current system which seems to be the best yet for me is Evernote. Have been using for close to 3 years now and it works wonders. I do everything in Evernote! Most of my mail is electronic and I am a little OCD with not wanting to lose anything so I download a copy of my bills as a pdf and store it on an external drive labeled finances and in folders by year then I will either drag the pdf into Evernote in my Receipts Notebook and tag it with the year and the company or use the web clipper if it is an email invoice.

    I do keep a log of my bills, amt, due date and if automatic, the date it comes out of my account but that’s also in Evernote.

    This system has saved me loads of time in filing and processing mail – no clutter and takes me less than 5 minutes a day or as bills hit to maintain and quick access is a real plus. With the phone app, I can look up anything, anywhere.

    Also really helpful when you have issues with an account. I have all my correspondence and call logs etc. all in Evernote.

    My desk day (love calling it that now, thank you!) is now down to twice a month as a review and planning session to make sure have all, reconcile accounts and update any logs and calendar notifications for due dates and changes. Any hard copy bills get scanned and filed electronically in both places. When I do need to find something I go right to Evernote … easy peezy.

    If I need a little tweak before then it rarely is more than 10 minutes to add or setup for new items that need to be paid that are not automatic. I will go online and schedule the payment or if I have to, write a check – stamp, address and put the mail date on the back of the envelope so it is ready to go.

    Love your tips, ideas and posts Kimberlee! Your ideas have helped so much and are really useful. Me and my home appreciate it!

    • It’s my pleasure Danne. I love to help. 🙂 It sounds like you have an amazing system that really works for you!

  22. I would love to use the Target gift card to purchase a few things to get MORE organized! I am a single mom with three children on a very limited income. It would be a wonderful blessing to win!

    Thanks for the share! God bless!

  23. I appreciate all of your tips, but especially like the idea of scheduling a “desk day”. Going to start scheduling a desk day every week! Thanks.

  24. The biggest paper saver for us has to been to automate every bill so that it withdraws from the bank automatically and any mail is sent electronically. That cuts down on the number of papers that I have to keep track of, and I don’t worry about whether or not I paid a bill. They are budgeted in each month so the money is always there in the account.

  25. I have a special place to put all of my “keeps” paperwork I receive. Then I go through them about every two weeks and place them in a plastic folder holder, which has hanging folders labeled for specific “keeps” papers!

  26. My best paper organizing tip is, shred what you don’t need, period. I find that most of my paper clutter is “stuff” I don’t need. Another is, don’t print what I don’t need or won’t use.

  27. I recently relocated my paper shredder to a more centralized location, so now I can immediately shred the items that come in the mail that shouldn’t just be recycled. That cut down on one pile of papers. I also have one in-basket. Unfortunately I am not consistent enough yet in dealing with the items that get put there. I am still a work in progress. lol

    • We are ALL a work in progress Diane! 🙂 That’s a really brilliant idea to move your shredder to a more convenient location.

  28. Thank you for the tips! I struggle with clutter and papers constantly. I may have to work through the “30 Days to Organized” series more than once. I could definitely use the giftcard for binders, folders, and other office organization.

  29. My best course of action with paper is opening the mail over the trash can. I get about ten solicitations for donations every mail delivery (about 50 – 60 of them per week!) and if I don’t cull them on arrival and start letting myself feel guilty over the pictures and captions on the envelopes, I put them aside for a ‘flush-with-money’ week (which never arrives) and consideration for future donations. This is unrealistic and the road to paper hades is paved with good intentions for me…so if they go O-U-T before they get into the house, I cut down on a lot of paper (and emotional) upheaval.

  30. I would use the gift card to help organize our homeschool papers. Never enough space in our home lol

  31. Great tips! Organizing paper that comes in our house has been a big challenge! I need to figure out a way to store school papers better and art work that the kids do. I try and eliminate papers that come into our house by going ahead and putting junk mail from mailbox into recycling bin. We installed a wire organizer with colored folders on the side of kitchen cabinet and that has helped contain school papers with info I need for upcoming events and also contains a “fun” folder with upcoming Community events, park schedules, etc. Thanks for your tips!

  32. Such great ideas! I am always looking for ideas on how to control my clutter. I would use the gift card to buy some organizational products to help me get more organized! ?

  33. My favorite paper tip is accordion style binders. I like being able to organize my paperwork and have the ease of sliding things in and out. I think I might get a few more and organize them in the categories you suggested so that I don’t have everything in one place.

  34. I really need to clean off my desk! I have a problem with flat surfaces – they become drop zones. I would use the Target card to reward myself for clearing off my workspace!

  36. I need a good plan I can stick with 🙂 I have tried so many but nothing seems to work long term. Hmmmmm maybe I need something fun to keep me motivated to keep it looking nice.

  37. I would use the Target gift card to get the listology book. I love that kind of stuff. And I’m glad I saw this article. Paper is out of control in my house!

  38. I keep my bills in a mail holder and I have a 2 drawer filing cabinet for papers I need to keep.

  40. I literally just finished cleaning out my “area”. Which included mail, old mail, school info, pictures etc etc. great advice and I’m super ready to organize it all! Especially get it to where I can keep up with the clutter!

  41. Paper piles are so difficult to keep up on because it comes in from everywhere! First, I went paperless with all our utility bills, so we don’t get those in the mail anymore. I go through the mail immediately when I get it in the house, throwing away the junk mail (or giving it to my toddler to open and look at) and deciding the priority level of the other mail. Important things (mail, handouts from school or the doctor, etc.) go in my planner to remind myself to deal with it quickly, and other things (magazines, etc.) go in a box next to my recliner to flip through at night or while watching TV. After I’m done with something, it immediately goes in the trash, in the shredder, or in a keepsake box to be scrapbooked.

    A Target gift card would go toward further organizing our house… I would get a file cabinet to better organize birthday cards, information we’re keeping for taxes, special artwork by our two kids, and the like. It would help to clean up our desk so it doesn’t get cluttered so quickly!

    • That is such a smart idea to add the important mail and papers to your planner! Thanks for the tip Ayla!

  42. Need to find a system for kids papers from school. I have a tote that i am putting them in right now. Maybe i could use the target gift card to find something.

    • Hey Niki – Lots of my readers have that issue. Have you seen my How to Organize School Papers post? Click HERE. Hopefully that will help. 🙂

  43. My favorite organizing tip is to schedule a Desk Day. I’m still trying to figure out my best day for it, though. I only get paid twice a month, and of course I need to deal with paper more often than that! I also like the idea of using an inbox. I have one on my desk, but it doesn’t seem to be in the right location at the moment. Papers still seem to pile up no matter where I have it! LOL I’m sure I’ll figure it out eventually. Thanks for your tips. They really help!

  45. Love your 10 minutes a day system, and the idea of separating papers by now, 10 min a day or file but by first putting all the paper in one place – a physical inbox. For my own filing system I prefer to keep everything in one place in a file folder that has individual folders for school, medical, banking etc. When I run my own household in the future I think binders will be more necessary but for right now its just me.

    • That’s fantastic that you have figured out what works for you Amanda. Thanks for commenting!

  46. I use an inbox, an outbox & a needs attention box & throw away junk as it comes in, but I still need help getting my desk clean & more organized! gift card would be awesome to get new containers for all the little things!!!

  47. Reading this I realize that I need to create one place for my paper. I try to deal with all the junk as soon as I get it by throwing it out or shredding it immediately, but I end up with piles of other stuff in various places and I need to corral it and then start doing a desk day. Thanks for the tips!

  48. I keep important papers in two rigid thirty-one office organizer bins. Important (bills, etc.) stuff in one and kids stuff (school, etc.) in another. Every January, I file all of the bills in one clasp envelope with the year marked on it then stash it away with envelopes from previous years. (I can only name one or two times I have actually had to go back and look for something from a past year, but I was so happy it was there!) I tried scanning and shredding, but that got old fast! If I won the target card, I would get a really cute tote to carry my “office” with me to and from work.

  49. My favorite paper organizing tip is to deal with your mail immediately as it comes in. I’ve been doing that two or three years now and wow! What a difference it makes!

  50. I have a special needs, young adult son, and I deal with all kinds papers regarding his health, services, etc. So files and/or binders is the way I could use the gift card. It would help from feeling overwhelmed all the time by all the paperwork that is generated.

  51. I love the idea of “desk day”! What a fabulous suggestion. I need to implement a lot of what you shared here. Thank you for the ideas and inspiration!

    If I won, I think I would use the gift card toward creating a home management binder. I’ve had one in the past but kind of abandoned the idea. I definitely need a place to store receipts and keep track of expenses. I do use printables that I keep in a magazine holder I created from an empty Amazon box, but the whole thing is rather a mess and a bit unsightly!

  52. I would use the gift card to buy supplies to organize my desk. With Adhd, I find it very hard to get motivated to tackle big challenges and this pretty kit you have here would motivate me to start this challange.

  53. I love the idea for the different binders! I currently keep most of our paper in files in our filing cabinet (besides the huge stack waiting to be filed!) but I do like binders. I think it will make it much easier to reference and file. I also love the inbox idea. So simple but so purposeful!
    As for the Target giftcard I would use it to buy more organizing supplies for the office/home.

  54. I really enjoy organizing papers, but I don’t often have time. This was a great post to remind me to get organized again! Thanks!

  55. I don’t have a system that works for me yet!! I’m just starting out on the decluttering my home n organizing everything. I’m very unorganized, so I would use the gift card to help with me buying new little organization baskets and anything I can to help with my organizing task. Thank you for the post I haven’t tried to manage all my papers this way yet. I will definitely be trying it to keep track of my households papers, which includes 6 kids me n my husband.

  56. Thanks for sharing, Kimberlee. You always have great new ideas and I love learning from others too!
    I have a few ideas:
    1.) when bills come in I open them and write the due date on the outside of envelope then file them in a “bills to pay” folder in order of when they are due.
    I manage finances for my own family and manage my mother’s finances as well and I work 50+ hours a week in healthcare , so keeping up with this is essential to avoid late charges, etc.
    2.) I set up folders to use all year that helps organize our papers for tax time and flexible spending- one is for paystubbs, healthcare(medical and dental) reimbursement, taxes( includes documentation for donations, taxes paid, etc),.
    3.) I cut coupons and keep them in a small accordion file that fits in my purse- purge outdated ones every Sunday afternoon when I have my version of ” desk day”- I pay bills, file papers and get organized so I am ready to start all over again on Monday!

    We are getting ready to send our second child to college this fall, so I would use the Target gift card for her to start purchasing things she will need when they are on sale and get organized in advanced. Teaching my children how to be frugal is a gift , I believe. Thanks for all of your help!!!!

  57. I just love your blog!!! Gotten alot of great tips and ideas from you!
    I would love to set-up the each of the binders and i would use the Target card to buy binders, dividers, and page protectors, etc..

  58. For paper piles I have a 3 slot office box on my desk. Although they are not separated or organized when they come in, at least twice a week I take about 10 minutes and go through and toss the trash, file the bills, and sort through the rest. I have been trying to get most of my mail, bills, etc electronically. First thing in the morning I go through my email, sort and send everything to is own folder for later.
    I have fibromyalgia so daily I have to lay down and rest and that’s the time I use to go through my email folders.
    I would love to put the pretty desk set on my desk! It might keep my husband (I love him but he messes up my system when he try to help) out of my desk if it looked more feminine. Lol

  60. I would use the gift card to buy binders and folders. I am continually trying to get my papers more organized, but now my kids are in school and the paper seems to have tripled. For school papers about events, fieldtrips, fundraisers, I keep them clipped together easily accessible at my desk. When a paper isn’t needed anymore, I remove it from the pile and put it in the recycling.

    • Those school papers can really get out of hand but it sounds like you have a good system that works for you.

  61. I always file and go through receipts and coupons every 2 weeks. It really helps keep things under control! I would use the gift card to add a little joy to my space!

  62. I would use a target card to buy new files and organizers for my desk. and my kids summer stuff. I did a major purge and threw out all the broken, ripped items.

  63. Ugh, I usually let everything pile up and then I do a major purge about every 2 weeks. I definitely could use a better system! At least at work I have a part-time intern who keeps up with my filing (my #1 hated task!)

    • I hate repetitive tasks like filing too, which is why I had to come up with a plan to help myself. ?

  64. I have five boys so alot of paper comes in and out of my house. My favorite tip in this article is creating a space for the paper to go and that’s what I would use the gift card for. To create a space that I want to return to and keep organized.

  65. Great list . My main way to keep paper clutter down is to throw away trash as I open the mail!! I would use the gift card to buy pens and paper etc. for my pen palling : )

    • Thanks Rose. Yes, opening the mail over the trashcan is an awesome shortcut. Thanks for commenting!

  66. When my kiddos were young I had a binder where I kept important papers for each one of them (now you can buy special binders for this type of organization). It really helped to have everything in one place when I needed to find important information. I also have a binder for our vehicles and insurance information.

    • I love binders! So smart to keep your insurance info in one location too. Thanks for commenting Kim!

  67. I love using binders to organize my papers. They are easy to quickly grab and find what I need.

    I’m also pretty geeky when it comes to anything in the office supply section. I get giddy when it’s back to school time and I can get good deals on all that stuff!

    Needless to say, office supplies is where I would head if I won the gift card.

    • Girl, we are kindred spirits. Almost all of my extra spending money goes for office and art supplies. :0

  68. Thank you for your tips. I definitely need to get a basket for my mail. I do try to open the mail over the trash can as soon as I get it. Sometimes life just gets too busy ? One of my favorite ways to stay organized is by using my happy planner. I keep all my invites and bill info in the pockets so I don’t forget about them. If I won I would use the gift card to get more supplies for my planner. Thanks for the chance!

    • Yes! A good planner that works for you is a MUST. Thanks for commenting Nicole!

  69. I share desk space with my husband, who is somewhat less organized than I am 🙂 It is a constant challenge for me to find ways to “organize” his stuff so that I can utilize the space. He is a fan of the “pile it here and I’ll get to it later” approach. I’m a fan of neat and tidy and everything in it’s place. It’s a constant challenge. I need a way to deal with his paper that is simply enough that he’ll keep up with it, but tidy enough that I still have room to work.

    • I totally understand Michelle, except I am normally the piler – ha! I have found that giving myself a container to pile the stuff in has really helped. Maybe you can find a way to create your own desk space, or give him another surface where he can pile his papers. Just a thought. 🙂

      • I did give him some great masculine containers for his piles, and he did like that…then he outgrew them. But perhaps I need to revisit where I locate his containers and make that a bit more accessible and organized – and off my desk space 🙂

  70. Create an inbox is my favorite tip….maybe, just maybe I wouldn’t “lose” my mail! I would use the gift card to buy baskets, colorful folders, highlighters, and all colors of pens. I’m just getting started, so I have a mountain of papers that need sorting.

    • Hey Diane – The 10 Minute Quick Sort that I mentioned REALLY helps when you have a backlog of paper to go through.

  71. Having my filing drawer in my kitchen desk has made it so much more convenient to file items promptly. I’d use a $25 gift card to purchase a new bulletin board for my kitchen desk to post invitations, etc. – items it’s good to be visually available. My current board has so many holes, the pushpins don’t stay in as well as they used to!

    • That’s such a smart idea to keep your files in a convenient location to make them easier to access. Thanks for the idea Peggy!

  72. I love your ideas. I would use the gift card to buy a few binders, basket and pens.

  73. I would use the gift card to buy files in which to keep important papers. We are trying to get more organized too.

  75. I file papers in the in box tiered rack first. Then about once a month (should really do it more often) file each paper. Things that need to be shredded go right to the shred box. I have binders for my recipes that I clip from magazines (I like seeing the colorful finished product in the picture when I first make a new dish). I also have a home maintenance binder, and a separate one for budget/bills. Things that come in the mail (mostly junk or bills) go to the garbage or the bill pile (which is also reconciled once per month). Fun mail (birthday/Christmas cards, magazines) get put up right away. Cards on the mantle and magazines on the nightstand (or bathroom- LOL). I’d use the target gift card for sheet protectors and flair pens. I put my recipes in the sheet protectors as well as other important papers. And I can have never have enough colorful pens for weekly and monthly planning and bullet journaling!

  76. This was a great reminder on ways to deal with the paper clutter. I have actually been dealing with this recently at work, with my business and with my personal files.
    I use a daily tickler file to keep up on things that need to be followed up on and bills that need to be paid. I put the papers in the file for the day that they need to be dealt with and check it every day. Once the item has been completed I file it immediately to make sure that my desk stays clear.

  78. Every day when the mail arrives, I go through it immediately. Junk mail gets shredded/discarded, bills get put in the “bill place” to pay, any personal correspondence is opened & read — it took me a while in my early married life to implement this. But it’s so much easier to take a couple of minutes to go through the small amount of mail that we receive and voila!! it’s done! No bills forgotten about or covered up in junk mail, no invitations lost, any magazines read, etc.

  79. I have used a budget binder for years! I write down all of our bills, what’s owed & the due date to stay on track. It also helps to see exactly where your money is going each month.

    For papers, I have a three drawer plastic tower that I use to organize them. Between bills, important documents, school papers, flyers, coupons, etc it can get overwhelming very quickly. I like the “paper day” idea to go through those drawers each week. Thanks for sharing!

  80. I’ve started opening my mail at the garbage can so I can immediately toss it! Otherwise it gets set down somewhere and no telling how long before it gets touched again. This works great for me since most of the mail I get is junk anyway!! I would use the Target gift card to replace my small two drawer filing cabinet as mine has broken drawers and is hard to even close anymore.

  81. I also appreciate these tips! I have a pretty good habit of sorting through papers as they come in but not every time & I don’t sort them into categories like you recommend which would be super helpful! I also don’t have a pretty bin & that would tidy up my space…and therefore my brain!!

    I would use my target gift card for a cute bin & a new filing box system as my latch just broke on the box I currently use. Sad day!!

  82. I keep a manila folder in my (large) purse. That way I can collect the paper that comes at me during the day: a church program with announcements; a grocery receipt; instructions from the doctors’ office. That way, these stray papers that aren’t coming from the mail box won’t get lost in the bottom of the purse.

  83. We have so much paper and the kids aren’t even in school yet! It’s so bad that I don’t even like to see all the little art activities my son brings home from his various activities, but I do feel like that part is under control, somewhat. I have a specific place in his room for all his art and when it gets full, I purge the ones that aren’t sentimental. I’ll take a picture and throw them away.
    I’ve also (slowly!) started scanning everything that isn’t digital but isn’t necessary to have in paper copy.

    • Good for you for creating a system that works for you son’s artwork. Brilliant!

  84. Paper seems to multiply like rabbits at my house. I’ve gone to having electronic bills as much as possible but there is still tons of paper.

    • That is a perfect description! At least you have taken the step of making your bill paying digital. Thanks for commenting.

  85. Hi Kimberlee!

    I have a couple ideas to share for organizing paper and bills. The first tip I got from my spouse, so really, he should get the credit. 😀

    As soon as a bill comes in, he opens it up immediately and writes the date the bill is due on his monthly calendar. If the bill gets paid online (most do), then all the rest of the junk that comes with the bill gets tossed into the paper recycling and only the paper bill gets saved. We pay bills every other week, so when bill paying rolls around, the calendar and paper bills come out and all the bills for the next 2 weeks get paid before anything else gets done. After the bills are paid and a notation regarding the reference number is logged on the bill, the bill gets filed.

    The second tip I have for dealing with paper came out of my realization that all do NOT have enough hours in the day to read every piece of paper or email that comes to my door. I only check email at the end of the day (saving a TON of time) and only save the very most pertinent and potentially beneficial pieces of mail to read. Everything else (and I do mean EVERYTHING) get trashed. Life is SHORT and just because someone sends a piece of mail does NOT mean I am obligated to spend my precious and only life reading it. It might sound brutal, but there is so much out there clamoring for our attention and it’s so easy to get sucked in thinking I *might* be missing out. The reality is I am just missing out on someone trying to get me to buy something I don’t need or sell me something I don’t want. DELETE is my new best friend! LOL! And guess what? now I have a LOT more time to knit up those hats for a charity or make an awesome dinner after work or work in the garden or…. you get the idea. Priorities! Whohoo!

    Cheers,
    Kathryn

  87. I love the idea of a desk day. I would love to work on scheduling time in my week to work on paperwork. Unfortunately, I spend my work day doing paperwork so I feel when I come home that I need a break from it (even though I haven’t done any at home :/). I have a lot piled up and I also like the idea of the 10 minute day. This would break down what always seems overwhelming to me that causes me to get stuck. I always feel like paper clutter is my nemesis. It just lurks with a paper or two and the next thing I know it has taken over. Thanks for so many great tips in this post. I am definitely saving this one to try to tackle my paper clutter issue.

    • That would be overwhelming to work with paper all day and then come home to more paper but hopefully the 10 minute idea can help. You can do this! ?

  88. I try to set down on Saturday afternoons to get organized for the next week, but have slipped a little bit in the past couple of months. I am overwhelmed with the mess, and want to get back into the organizing habits. I would use the gift card to help buy a new filing drawer, new pens, and folders to get myself geared back up to being organized

  89. I would use the gift card to buy supplies since I’m just starting out on getting myself organized.

  90. I am clearing out 3 years of paper clutter! My favorite thing to begin to get organized with my papers is using colorful folders and color pens. Makes me happy, while increasing my efficiency!

  91. Several years ago I picked up the habit of putting all of my paper in one large basket and I go through that basket once a week. It’s my Friday basket since that’s the day I do my bills and filing. But you could pick any day of the week that would work best for you.. The only paper I don’t keep in my Friday basket are my paper bills. I am kind of OCD about not losing them so they have their own special spot in my desk drawer, lol

    • You’re right Wendy. It is really important to keep track of those bills. I actually place my bills in my budget binder right away. Thanks for commenting!

  92. I needed this “reminder” to clean my desk. I feel like the paper clutter piles start and before I know it they have taken over my desk, a section of kitchen counter, part of the dining room table….and then from there the clutter continues from paper stuff to kids’ droppings (my polite word for all the junk they leave around-papers, toys, clothes, etc!)….if I could get a good handle on the paper clutter, I know it would set the (clean) tone for the rest of the house/family members! I would use that Target giftcard for some organizing binders/files and those cute stationary items would brighten up my space! I’m really looking forward to working through my piles with these tips-scheduling myself regular time to work on it and processing paper right away will be key for me, I think. Thanks for a great post…again! 🙂

Send this to a friend