The way I had things filed previously were in pretty good order, but there were some things that weren't, so there were certain things I always had trouble filing away.
My file cabinet has 2 drawers - it's just a cheapo, heavy-duty plastic one, but I've had it for years and it's held up so well and seems to work for me. It's located in my craft room in a previously unused corner - it's actually the perfect spot for it. I decided that the bottom drawer would be for important papers (since it's the heavier drawer) and the top would be for other, misc items.
Here is how the 2 drawers looked before I re-organized.
Not too bad - most everything has a place, but you may be able to tell that some files have labels, some don't, some are typed, some are handwritten, some are scratched out. Not too pretty.
I started by going through all of the files and grouping them into categories: home, utilities, $$$, travel, crafts, and old archive information. I used the plastic tabs for the hanging files to separate them. Then, under each category, I made file folders for the different items and made sure to give each item their own folder (previously, I had some items sharing a folder which didn't work out too well). There weren't enough of the different color file folders per category, so I just used up the colors as I went. There was no rhyme or reason to how I used the colors. I just made sure to group the same colors together - this gave the drawers a more uniform look. When I made the tab labels for the file folders, I matched the pen color with the file folder color. Nothing too fancy, but it looks nicer having them match.
And while I was at it, I purged some more paperwork.
That's a pretty good amount of papers that I got rid of. I also got rid of some of the large envelopes that I was keeping stuff in - that made a big difference on how the files looked also (they fit into the hanging folders and file folders much better).
I will probably buy more file folders next time I go to Walmart just to give the top drawer a more unified look with the bottom drawer. It's not perfect and not the prettiest, but it's much better than it used to be and I have a bit more room in there now. Ahhh, another thing checked off of my long list!
Linked up to:
I Heart Organizing's Home Office Organization link party
Delightful Order's Paper Organization link party
That's a pretty good amount of papers that I got rid of. I also got rid of some of the large envelopes that I was keeping stuff in - that made a big difference on how the files looked also (they fit into the hanging folders and file folders much better).
I will probably buy more file folders next time I go to Walmart just to give the top drawer a more unified look with the bottom drawer. It's not perfect and not the prettiest, but it's much better than it used to be and I have a bit more room in there now. Ahhh, another thing checked off of my long list!
I Heart Organizing's Home Office Organization link party
Delightful Order's Paper Organization link party
Stumbled onto your blog and just wanted to show yous some blog luv! def enjoyed this post :)
ReplyDeletedef a great idea! def a goal of mine to get more organized!
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Great job you! Organizing papers isn't always the most exciting job, but you did a fab job!!
ReplyDeletexo,
Jen