| | Clutter-free living. Weekly Tips
October 2016
Archive Your Files With Ease
What shape is your filing system in? Are your filing drawers stuffed so full that it’s nearly impossible to get another piece of paper into — or out of — them? Once a year, you should take time to review your files and purge as much as possible, leaving room for next year’s papers.
1. Determine what to keep. As you sort through papers, ask yourself, “When will I really need this again?” “Can it be easily recreated or retrieved elsewhere?” Don’t hang onto things unless you have a really good reason! Be ruthless — remember, 80% of the things you file will never get referred to again!
2. Keep records retention guidelines in mind. Your accountant, attorney, or professional organizer can tell you which documents you should keep for legal purposes.
3. Keep only day-to-day paperwork at your fingertips. For rarely-used files that must be kept, archive them in an out-of-the-way area, such as a closet, basement, or off-site storage facility.
4. Some things can be immediately tossed. Instruction manuals for products you no longer own, old research materials, previous drafts of letters, out-of-date magazines and articles, and receipts for items past their return date can be discarded.
5. Stash important documents in a safety deposit box. It is imperative that you stock your safety deposit box or home safe with the following papers: adoption and citizenship papers; passports; birth, death, and marriage certificates; deeds; divorce decrees; insurance policy papers; lease agreements and loan documents; mortgage papers; personal property appraisals (jewelry, collectibles); Social Security cards; stock and bond certificates; vehicle titles; copies of wills; and powers of attorney papers. And don’t forget to LOCK your home safe. It is NOT fireproof unless the lock is engaged.
© 2016 Articles on Demand™
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Monthly Archive: Check monthly for Terri’s advice on residential professional organizing!
- September 19, 2016
Use up Consumables - August 29, 2016
Kitchen Clutter
- September 12, 2016
Small toiletries
- September 5, 2016
Organize for 10-15 minutes every day - August 29, 2016
Kitchen Clutter
- August 22, 2016
Dealing with Memorabilia
- August 15, 2016
Desk Top File Sorter
- August 8, 2016
Color Coding your Closet
- August 1, 2016
No need to rush out to buy organizing items
- July, 2016
Conquering Procrastination
- June 27, 2016
Organizing your filing cabinet
- June 20, 2016
Organize your day the night before
- June 13, 2016
Start a Technical Instruction Notebook
- June 6, 2016
Multitasking and Focus
- May 2, 2015
Find a Clutter Buddy Back to the Home Page
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