Portable hanging file folder

Use a portable hanging file folder to store the files or bills that need your attention. You can take it with you, and take any necessary actions when you have the time. If these items are only on your desk at home, the only chance you will have to do the is when you are sitting at your desk. Think about your system you created for your car, and get productive while you're on the road!
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Flat surfaces

Keep the flat surfaces in your home clear. If your dining room table is piled high with papers and clutter, set it with place mats and plates. This will prevent you from placing the dirty mail on the table with your clean plates!
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Action file

If you love to keep magazine articles— don't keep the whole magazine. Rip out the article that interests you and put it in your action file. If you don't read it, or take action on it within two weeks, dispose of it.


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Touch each paper once

New Rule: Touch each paper once. Make a choice about if you are going to file it, take action on it, or throw it away. Don't make an "I don't know" pile. It will keep growing, and will never go away!
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Purchase a filing system

If you don't want to create your own filing system there are professional examples out there already created for you. Consider purchasing one, and customizing it to meet your needs.
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Tons of cookbooks

If you have tons of cookbooks, start going through them and keeping only the ones you use. Donate the rest.

If you make one recipe out of each book, use a scanner and scan those into your computer. Then create your own cookbook with a binder and page protectors. There are also software programs that allow you to store recipes digitally and print them when needed.
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Document questions

For all of your documents, ask yourself the following two questions:
Do I need to store the item, or is another company I do business with already doing that for me?
How much would it cost me to obtain a copy of this document if I needed it in the future?

It makes sense if you think about it... How often could you need to access the electric bill form last August? Probably once to pay it and never again!
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Reduce junk mail

Reduce junk mail by subscribing to the National Do Not Mail List. An Internet search will allow you to see your options for signing up.
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Keep the files separate

If you have a home office as well as a home business, keep the files separate. Use separate colors, separate filing cabinets, and separate email accounts to avoid confusion.
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Getting rid of the paper

Purchase a small scanner to scan business cards, receipts, and other financial documents. Getting rid of the paper gets rid of the clutter. You will be left with digital documents you can then organize into properly named folders.
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Unsubscribe

Take two minutes every day and unsubscribe to newsletters, sale notifications, and email updates that you no longer wish to receive.
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Separate your files

Separate your files into two main categories:
Archives—Things that don't need to be accessed frequently (if at all).
Daily—Items you need daily, or weekly to do your job.


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Consistent planner

Determine what type of planner you want to use and stick with it. Weigh the pros and cons of a paper planner versus an electronic planner. Either way, learn to use the one you chose. There is no right or wrong answer, but remaining consistent is most important.
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Access checks

If those access checks your credit card company sends you make you feel unsafe, call them and ask them to remove you from their check mailing list. Most companies have a zero dollar liability, but keeping them out of the house will help you spend less money and create less clutter.
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Online billing

Contact the companies of your monthly bills to see if they can send your statements online. Most companies would prefer to send your bills by email or post them on the Internet. Until you get used to this system, use your calendar as a backup to make sure bills are paid in a timely fashion.
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Create a menu binder

Have a ton of menus from the restaurants you order from? Create a menu binder. Purchase a three ring binder and place page protectors in it. Slide your menus in this binder and keep it handy. You can group alphabetically or by the type of cuisine. Make sure to tuck in a few dollars so you have cash for tips.
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Create a "dream" folder

Create a "dream" folder or notebook. It's okay to use this to keep design ideas, fashion inspirations, and articles you'd like to read. The important thing is to have a place to store them, and to be honest with yourself about the length of time you will keep these items. Go through it regularly and purge the ideas you no longer wish to pursue.
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Paper sorting

Paper Tip: When sorting through a pile of paper, start by turning the pile over. Now you are sorting from bottom to the top, or from oldest to newest. Chances are that most of the items on the bottom have passed by, expired, and are just junk.
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Junk email

If you receive too much junk email, take charge! Consider using getting a new email address. Then use your old address to place online orders, subscribe to email newsletters, or for anything that you feel might land you on a SPAM list. Use your new address only for personal communication only.
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Filing System

Filing System: Create and label a folder for every month. Each month tuck all of your bills and receipts into this folder. At the end of the year, you are ready to file your taxes.

Once you get around to the month you started with in the following year, go ahead and replace the previous year's bills from that month. Next, shred the previous year's bills once you have removed them from the folder.
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Rent a safe deposit box

Rent a safe deposit box to house back up computer data (stored on discs, etc), important papers, such as wills and marriage licenses, and other irreplaceable documents.
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File folders

When purchasing file folders and other desk accessories, focus on items that are aesthetically pleasing. There are lots of designer options on the market. You no longer need to look at plain manila folders!
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Appliance and household manuals

Use three ring binders and page protectors to create a book of appliance and household manuals. Write what items are included in your appliance book on the front of the binder.
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Store receipts

Carry a small container or envelope with you at all times to store receipts. At the end of the week, shred the ones you don't want and file the rest.
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Color coding files

Consider color coding files. Blue for bills, yellow for household items, red for medical records, and so on. This will help you know where to put incoming paperwork, and where to access a particular document later on down the road.
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Stay clutter free

Have a shredder, garbage can, and recycle bin close to where you open the mail. Shred any documents with personal information, recycle the outer envelopes of bills, and throw away anything that cannot be recycled. Getting rid of the junk items right away is key to staying clutter free.
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The Joy of Organizing

Clutter Fact: Consider that 80% of what we file we never look at again.
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