BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Organization Setting up a Filing Cabinet

I just picked up a File Cabinet and am now finally thinking of getting my papers organized. I am the least organized person I know and seem to be constantly de-cluttering and never getting ahead. So - I want to at least get all these papers organized!

I know once I start organizing, I will think o more categories, but so far, here is what I've thought of.

under Personal - taxes, dentist, doctor
under House - taxes, insurance, bills, receipts/warranties/userguides
under pets - vet, license
under car - maintenance
under financial - bank statements, mortgage.

I know I'm missing some things - suggestions?

I know I could put bank statements under personal and mortgage under house if I need another category, but I'd like to keep it at 5 sections.

Honestly, I tried and tried and tried to get my papers organized and I am a VERY organized person--but papers never made it where they needed to go.

I broke down and spent the $30 for the JOYS system and so help me--it was the best money I ever spent. You will never look at categorizing your stuff the same way again. It's a set of filing tab labels, but it's the 10-step instruction booklet (about 30 pages) that's worth the money REALLY.

Not a fast process if you have kids and work, but one that sticks.

I no longer have piles. Anywhere. It was a system that accommodated me instead of trying to change me. And I'm a paper hoarder--so that's saying something.

I have two file cabinets for my "this year" files. One is a portable one so I can take it to the couch when I am keeping Bob company. So that is a plastic one. the other sits by my desk and holds all the banking records. That's only because the plastic one isn't big enough, it gets jammed by the end of the year and gets really frustrating.

I have a folder for each area I do things in. So origami, gaming receipts, low carb receipts, utilities, and so on. I really try to file things right when they come in. Right now my office is a giant mess but I have like 8 plastic bins in here ready to organize things. I am going to throw every piece of paper into a plastic bin by type and get it all sorted out. I am working on the kitchen right now so once the kitchen is organized (another few days) this is the next task.

I really recommend getting a filing cabinet set up and putting things away quickly - the longer you wait, the messier things get!