Organizing Paperwork and Documents

 Organizing your records and paperwork is not always the easiest thing to do.
Before organizing your files determine what you are going to place your files in and how you want them arranged. Some people prefer to keep files in binders* or accordian type file folders** or in file cabinets***
1. The first thing you must do is review the paperwork that you have. Determine what things you can shred, what things need to be placed in a safety deposit box (bond information, cd information, important documents that can't be lost), and what items that belong in your personal files at home.
2. After you have divided those documents take the items that you want to keep in your home and divide them into categories:
EX: Medical, insurance, banking information, real estate (properties etc), Tax information, utilities, Financial information, etc.
3. Then take the categories and make sub files. EX: Medical files would include HMO/PPO information, Lab work, doctor information, DNR information, directives for next of kin, etc
4. After you have made sub files then you are ready to place your information in the system you chose before organizing.
*If you have chosen Binders: Purchase a binder for each Category (you want to purchase these by size for the amount of information and documents that you are placing in the binder); purchase dividers for the sub files (there are several: tabbed, sleeved, etc); name cards or labels for the outside of the binders. Insert the dividers into the binders and label them according to sub file. Place the documents behind the dividers.
**If you have chosen an accordian file (you can choose lettered, numbered, or clear) you need to determine if you want an accordian file for each category or if you will use one accordian file for all categories.This makes things difficult to organize because you can't create sub files as easily.
***If you have chosen File folders and hanging files you want to be sure to purchase the size that is appropriate for the filing cabinet or filing box that you are using (you can purchase really inexpensive filing boxes at your local big box store, or you can purchase a filing cabinet based on your needs and budget). You also want to purchase labels to fit the file folders (for an organized and neat look type your labels). Hanging Files are for categories & file folders are to be used for sub files. After you have labeled your hanging files and file folders place your documents in the file folders and then place the file folders in the hanging files.

More tips to come...