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3/04/2009

The Perfect Filing System

Remember the post about this:being an art portfolio for Lou La.

Well I got one for myself. Not for my art (Lou La got that from her Daddy) but for my bills. It is hands down the best method I have found. And I have tried a LOT of methods!!

I am a filer. If it is remotely important and in paper for I file it! I used to keep it in a large filing cabinet in the garage, but who was I kidding. There was no way I was walking out to the garage everyday to file paperwork. It ended up collecting on my kitchen counter.

So when my hubby changed offices and brought home a cute little one drawer filling cabinet that fit perfectly in the little nook of my kitchen, I used that. It was close. Convenient. Funny thing. It still piled up on my kitchen counter. I always just slid it in between the sugar and flour containers. They made great bookends. And when the pile got so big that it became a fire hazard, then I would end up shoving it in the filing cabinet to file later because I didn't have time to go through the huge pile!

Then one weekend my husband was flipping through channels and stopped on a morning show where a lady was talking about home organization. She suggested getting an expandable file folder (like the cute one above) and having a slot for each month. When things come in, you put them in the slot for that month. Not by bill type. Just by month.

And I thought she was crazy. Not put all my bank statements together? Have my utility bills in different places? But then I thought about it. And it actually made sense. Usually I am looking for a bill from a specific month anyways. If I don't file them everyday everything that piles up would all go in the same slot! So easy to file! And when the year is over, you have all the paper work for your taxes in one place.

So I tried it! And it works! And I love it! If you need a new system, try it! It might work for you too!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

My friend also uses one of these to organize greeting cards!

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Anonymous said...

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I have a new giveaway on my blog.

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Have a great day!

Unknown said...

I, too, shuddered at the thought of filing by month, but, you're right, that's usually how I search for something. Thanks for the great idea!

Unknown said...

I too use this for bills! It works I tell ya! I'm looking for a cute mini one that I can fit in my purse for my budget categories.

Lora @ my blessed life said...

This is exactly the system that I've started using, too. I blogged about it a couple of weeks ago. It's so easy and makes so much sense, doesn't it?

Reborn said...

Hmmm, this sounds like a good idea for me! I'm terrible at keeping up with this stuff because I'm so lazy! I will have to give this a try.

Lorie said...

Does anyone else think American Folder Company should be paying me for ad space! ;D

Lorie said...

Lora, it does make sense!

Kimm, you will find that you really do love it! It is a lot easier to fing your phone bill out of a pile of other bills that look different then find your March phone bill out of a pile of bills that look identical (if it isn't in the front where it should be...and mine never were!!)

Lorie said...

Misty,

Look in the section that has coupon organizers! They are the perfect size!

Lorie said...

Reborn,

Give it a shot! I really think you will like it!

Lorie said...

Reborn,

Give it a shot! I really think you will like it!

LunaMoonbeam said...

Hmm...this has possibilities! I have one of those files upstairs...I could DO that!!

Jaimie Lea said...

I am going to try this! and possibly save my marriage! jk, but I think my sweet hubby will love it if I actually file the pile o' bills! :)

Lorie said...

Aunt LoLo! Give it a shot! Especially since you already have one! Trying it is free!

Lorie said...

Jaimie Lea - You will love it! I was the same way! And my husband felt the same way too I am sure!

The pile was RIGHT next to the stove! So when it would get too big it was pretty much a fire hazard! So dangerous and so sad that that STILL wasn't enough incentive to file the paper! Now it is all filed away and my kitchen is pretty!!

Shan B. said...

That's how I file my bills...by month, but still in a drawer. Only problem, doing the actual filing, at least this way you only have to sort months. It's way easier!!

Marie said...

I'm very much into organizing the bills and I have always done it by month versus by bill type. I just use a 3-ring binder though and got the monthly label/dividers. It has been wonderful and worked for years!

Renee said...

Love this! And my husband thanks you.