Creating Your Home Filing System
You've gotten your papers together in one place and shredded those you no longer need. Now what? The pile still looks daunting. Don't worry! The most satisfying part of this project is yet to come-getting it all organized. We've assembled some tips and checklists that, with just a little planning on your part, will make it all come together easily.
Top |
Stick to the Basics
A few simple
supplies like a sturdy cardboard file or an inexpensive file
cabinet, manila file folders, and labels are really all you
need to get started. Generally, your home file should include
all the items you refer to frequently. These files would include
bills, warranties, bank statements, etc.
Don't forget
that you also need a secondary
storage location for your more important, difficult
to replace papers such as passports, titles to vehicles, birth
certificates, etc. A fireproof safe may be one possibility,
but it's better to store those records in a location away from
home such as a bank safe deposit box.
Top |
Your Filing System
Your system
is just that, yours. Design
it in a way that you can understand and manage.
Keep it simple. However, don't get too general in how you label
your files-you may find yourself putting everything in that
folder labeled "financial" when you would be better off having
several folders labeled with language like "bank statements,"
"credit card statements," and "retirement fund."
One member
of your household needs to be appointed the file manager to
take responsibility for keeping the filing up-to-date and consistent.
However, in case of an emergency everyone in the household needs
to be familiar with the system, including children old enough
to understand how to use it.
Develop
and stick to a regular filing
and paperwork schedule. If you don’t, you’ll
most likely find yourself back to where you started, having
to sort through several weeks or months of backlogged papers
and spending more time then you would have if you’d just
spent a few minutes once or twice a week on your record keeping.
Top |
|
Scan Your Documents
Declining
prices coupled with improvements in digital scanning technologies
make scanning
and storing your documents electronically an alternative
worth considering. Scanning will allow you to still have easy
access to your documents and allow other features such as being
able to transfer them via e-mail. Generally, you still need
to retain the originals for legal purposes, probably in your
offsite storage location.
Top |
 |
|
Outside Help
If you
don’t have the time or the inclination to take even these
basic steps, or have realized that the task is too much to handle,
consider bringing in an outsider. If you’re feeling overwhelmed,
an outsider (a relative or family friend) may help you focus.
Or, you may want to consider hiring a professional. A professional
organizer can provide information, structure, solutions,
and systems, and help you gain a sense of control.
Top |
Other Resources
This is just a brief
overview. For more information, check out these resources:
Read these publications online
:
Websites*:
* Names of resources and
organizations included in this online article are provided as examples only,
and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the Savvy Consumer
Information Center or any Government agency. Also, if a particular
resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that it
is unsatisfactory.
Top |
|
For more information on other popular consumer issues check out
our Consumer Focus
Archive.
Top |
|
Get the Savvy Consumer Newsletter! (FREE)