The Care and Maintenance of your files

The Care and Maintenance of your files
Filing is one of the most hated tasks of my clients and probably for all people over all the world. The most common reasons I’ve witnessed are because files are overstuffed, irrelevant to current lives and labeled incorrectly. The sad fact is that files need to be cared for. Here are some tips to help you start a useful file system or revamp your current one.

Purging files is the easiest way to make your files useful to you again. It creates room for more current paperwork as well as reminding you what you do have in your files. I go through my files once a year, after I’ve filed my taxes. I can then safely group all my supporting tax documents (bills pertaining to my business etc.) and put them in a large manila envelope out of the way of my day to day filing. I recycle/shred what I don’t need any more. If I can’t identify what it is, if it is out of date or it just isn’t required in my life anymore (an impractical hobby,say) it goes away. The last thing I do is create any new files that came up throughout the year. Most often, I put new papers that don’t have a home in the front of my filing cabinet. I know that within the year I’ll be dealing with it so I don’t worry.
Make sure your files are labeled with words that make sense to you. If the term “Oakland hotspots” doesn’t make sense to you, what does? When you are holding a piece of paper in your hand ask yourself “Why/when would I look at this paper again?” Is it because you want to get ideas for a fun weekend in Oakland with out of town guests? Then labeling it “Weekend Fun in Oakland” might work better.

Need more help getting started?

Email Emily at rippleeffectorganizing@gmail.com or just give her a call! 510.703.1093