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Maria Gracia

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A GON Reader Asks

Hi Maria,

How do you organize all papers the old fashion way? I am not good on the computer! Thank you!

This Reader Question was submitted by:

--Karen


Maria Gracia responds...

Hi Karen,

Thank you for your question. While scanning documents and going paperless is popular these days, I definitely understand that there are still many people who want to manage their papers in the least digital way possible.

Just as a side note: The resource I created that is mentioned below in this newsletter (My Oh-So-Organized Filing System) is actually focused on what you're referring to as the 'old-fashioned' method...which is actually the tried-and-true, incredibly effective method. It 'includes' information that allows you to print your labels, using your computer and printer if you so choose to do so. BUT in it, I actually recommend to just write the already-thought-out file categories by hand and eliminate the need for any technical savvy.

That all being said, to answer your question, there are just a few steps for organizing paper...no digital means or former filing knowledge required.

1) Weed out: Your first step is going to be weeding out papers you don't need. In a nutshell, any documents that are current and that have information that identifies you, something you own, or something you're legally or financially responsible for, must be kept. This may include your birth certificate, marriage/divorce certificate, passport, deed, will, car ownership papers, recent bank statements, an unexpired warranty for a refrigerator, tax paperwork, and the like.

Most of these documents must be kept forever, or in some cases, a fairly long time. For instance, tax documents should be kept at least 7 years back...and maybe a bit longer depending on your personal situation. Your warranty for the fridge should be kept as long as it's not past the year that warranty expires.

Any documents that are expired, are for items you no longer own, include outdated information, have no financial or legal ramifications if you part with them, are nothing more than advertising messages, and the like, are all candidates for your recycling container.

If you have an overload of papers, I would recommend you go through a batch of papers every day...10 papers, 20 papers...whatever you can deal with, without getting overwhelmed. Yes, this may take awhile, but small progress is always better than no progress.

2) Come up with main categories: Your next step is going to be setting up your home filing system and organizing with main categories, like Personal, Financial, Travel, etc. I suggest anywhere from 5 to 10 main categories. These should be broken up with plastic file tabs in your filing system so you can immediately see each category.

3) Come up with sub-categories: Categories like Personal, Financial, Travel, etc. are pretty large categories. So, by breaking them down into smaller categories if the amount of paper you have necessitates you to do so, it makes it that much easier to find what you're looking for in your filing cabinet or portable file box. You may break the category of Travel, for instance, into Disneyworld, Frequent Traveler Information, Maps, etc. Sub-categories should be filed alphabetically behind each of your main categories.

Just a few other tips:

Incoming mail should be gone through, sorted, and recycled, dealt with, and/or filed on a daily basis so it doesn't continue to get out of hand. Get off of mailing lists that you're not interested in being on any longer. The less paperwork you have coming in, the less you have to deal with.

Be careful about paper shuffling...not knowing what to do with a sheet of paper, so it is constantly being moved from the table, to the counter, to the bulletin board, etc. without any action being taken on it.

If you're in the middle of working on a project that requires a stack of papers, keep those papers neat and together in a project folder or project binder, rather than scattered or in a pile on a table.

If the paper can be easily accessed online, and it's not a legal document with a raised seal, for instance, the actual paper copy of that is generally a good choice for your recycle bin. Again, the less you have, the easier it is to keep your paper managed.

I hope this helps you get started.

--Maria

To fast-forward to My Oh-So-Organized Filing System Deluxe, visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-mosofs.html

There is tons of paper pouring into our homes every day....bills, warranties, receipts, important documents, user manuals, bank statements, letters, promotions, insurance papers, employment and medical information, school papers, magazines, newspapers, etc. etc. etc. This never-ending paper monster grows on tables, countertops, desks, and dozens of other surfaces and drawers, until it's seemingly too overwhelming to conquer.

If you're sick and tired of the piles of paper taking over your home and your life, I have great news. I've just released the perfect solution for you to get it all organized once and for all, in no time, with little effort!

I am thrilled to announce My Oh-So-Organized Filing System Deluxe sold exclusively on the Get Organized Now! web site. It is ready to help you get your piles of paper organized so you can get your papers in perfect order AND find what you need within 10 seconds or less.

My Oh-So-Organized Filing System Deluxe is my NEW, affordable, and easy- to set up and use filing system for your home. In fact, it's not just a filing system. It's actually a Filing System AND an Organizing System rolled into one. And the best part is...no thinking required! I've thought of the easiest method for you to follow, along with all the categories you'll need and then some!

Here's what just one person who LOVES My Oh-So-Organized Filing System Deluxe had to say...

'I never realized how much information I kept scattered around the house. Now it's all in one place--easy to find and easy to use. The day after I finished setting up the system, my husband needed a manual for one of our appliances. I was able to locate it within seconds. Boy, was he impressed! Thanks again for such a great product.' --Cate Brizzell, Author of 'Real People Don't Diet'

The 3 main components of this system include the filing system itself and a full explanation of how to quickly get it in place, the 'Never Forget to Do Anything Ever Again' Tickler File System (to ensure you remember and handle everything you need or want to), and the Paid Bills Organizer System (which will keep bills due...and all paid bills...in one organized place.

PLUS, as a HAPPY SUMMER SPECIAL...until FRIDAY, JULY 24, when you get your hands on a copy of My Oh-So-Organized Filing System Deluxe, you'll also get 7 COMPLIMENTARY eBook BONUSES, all brand new and all created by me, as follows.

1. Find It Fast: You'll know instantly which file folder your document is in.

2. Easy TO DO Tool: It's the tool I use each and every day -- and it never fails to help me get a `ton' of TO DOs done...fast!

3. How Long Should I Keep This? Paper Retention System: Have you always wondered which papers you need to keep and for how long? Wonder no longer...here's the answer

4. Mini Money Tracker: To help you stay on top of your finances

5. 30 Doable Ways to Go as Paperless as Possible: You can actually eliminate a lot of the paper constantly bombarding you

6. Perpetual Calendar: You will never have to buy or create another calendar again

7. Prevent Identity Theft: Documents to Shred Before You Recycle: Beat identity thieves before they make you their next victim

P.S. Get your paperwork in order once and for all. And don't miss out on these NEW COMPLIMENTARY BONUSES. For more details, visit:

getorganizednow.com/rd-mosofs.html

Access EVERYTHING BELOW (and more!) on my Home Page. Visit:
getorganizednow.com

GON Health If there's one thing you don't need in your life, it's stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, 'Stress that's left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.' Stress also can be a springboard for headaches, stomach aches, loss of sleep, and greatly reduced productivity. Here are 5 ways to release, or at least reduce, stress in your life...

GON Cleaning It is a terrible feeling to be in chaos, especially if you have zero time to deal with it. Here's how to tidy your home when you have zero time...

Access EVERYTHING ABOVE (and more!) on my Home Page. Visit:
getorganizednow.com

'Cleaning and organizing is a practice not a project.' --Meagan Francis

I'd love to hear from you.

Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

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