• Baby Boomers
• Family
• Green
• Home and Auto
• In Critical Condition
• Just Starting Out
• Lifestyle
• Money

1) Make an assessment of the room that is accumulating paper clutter. This will help you set goals.

2) Write your goal and be specific. I want to eliminate the clutter in the _________________.

3) Set a deadline. I would like to conquer my clutter by Christmas/ Thanksgiving.

4) List what is needed to achieve your goal.

• desk/table/writing surface( make sure you have enough surface space to write and spread out materials.
• filing cabinet 2/4 purchase one that will grow with you.(good quality) - waste basket
• caddy or basket for supplies
• file folders and/or hanging file folders(frames) Other Supplies
• Bulletin Board
• Shelving units/bookcase. ( books/ magazines) - Desktop organizers for supplies and paperwork Set-up/Layout
• Spare Room, Corner of a room
• Placement of equipment(left handed, right handed) -Extension Cords Equipment
• Phone(speaker phone)
• Fax
• Computer

Establishing a system

• Keep is simple and easy to understand.
• Make it easily accessible to family members.
• Invest in a good filing cabinet or file storage boxes.
• Alphabetize, Color-code, categorize-financial( green), health(yellow), school(red), work(purple) Paper Management- Always remember piles are created because we delay in making a decision on the paper we receive.
• Have a waste basket by your side-we never use 80% of the papers we collect.
• Decide what is current information and what can be stored elsewhere.
• Working File(Bills, Action)
• Retention Schedule( how long will you keep information).

While working through the papers ask yourself- - Did I ask for this information?

• Is this the only place the information is available?
• Is this information recent enough to be current?
• Can I identify the specific circumstances when I would want information?
• What is the worst possible thing that could happen if I trashed this paper?

Items To Discard-Duplicates, Dated, Have no time to read - Salary statements after checking w-2 forms at year end.

• Canceled checks for cash or non-deductions & warranty items.
• Expired warranties and those manuals to equipment you no longer have.
• Coupons after expiration date.
• Other records no longer needed.

5 Things that can reduce your paper clutter - Get off mailing list.

• Open mail near wastebasket.
• Consolidate credit cards.
• Instruct companies not to sell or rent your address.
• Don't order magazines you don't read.<

Preventing paper clutter

• Schedule time 1-2 hours a week to eliminate clutter.
• Keep the trash can handy.
• Always evaluate, categorize, file and throw out papers.

Health Records

• Create a chart or use 5 X 8 index cards to keep track of:
  • visits to the doctors
  • reason for medication
  • reaction
  • immunizations
• File bills, medical insurance information in your health section.

Financial records

• Place canceled checks in folder or box.
• File statements once you have checked them for accuracy.
• File tax information together.
• Create a filing system with your accountant to keep track of financial information.
• If you are selling your house within a year you may want to keep utility bills for potential buyers.

Kitchen Clutter

• Organize recipes in recipe boxes or photo albums with dividers.
• Create an office center using a storage box or caddy for scissors, tape, stamps, etc. paper
• Organize coupons in accordion pouches or boxes

Travel & Papers

• Organize your maps, brochures and travel information.
• Create a packing checklist for your trips to remind you what to pack.
• While on your trip take a file folder or large envelop to place all paper you accumulate while traveling.
• After each trip set aside time to go through paperwork, file information and receipts you need for tax or reimbursement purposes.

The Mail

• Choose a specific time and place to process your mail, and have a large waste basket handy.
• Sort mail according to family members
• Establish a set spot for leaving each person's mail( bedroom, home-office).
• If a family member is out of town store his or her mail in a box or manila envelop.

Sorting Mail/p>

• Dump-throw it out.<
• Action-to pay, write, or call.
• To-Read-catalogs or magazines
• Filing-spend time once a week filing.

Helpful Tips For Sorting Your Mail

• A reminder for a 6 month check-up( mark calendar).
• Upcoming event tickets( create an event folder).
• Remove from mailing list-create a form letter and make several copies.
• New catalog -scan.
• Magazines-rip and read

Keeping Track of the Bills, Bill, Bills - Create 1 pile.

• File receipts.
• Open bills and write the due date on the envelop - Make a note to yourself on your calendar when bill is due.
• Create a list to keep track of all bills.

Conquering Your Reading Material

• Be selective and set limits on what you read.
• Incorporate reading into your daily life.
• Prioritize your reading materials.

Maintaining Your Files

• File regularly.
• Keep files lean & current by moving out information.
• Shift through papers every time you pull it out.
• Once every 6 months go through papers.
• Retention Schedule

• Process each piece of paper as it comes in.
• Refile things.
• Put loose papers in clearly marked files.
• Use a bulletin boards to post flyers or information about events.
• Create a location to pay bills, write letters, make calls.
• Set aside time to work on paperwork weekly.
• Clear work space each time you are done.

Totally Organized is a professional organizing firm founded by Janet Taylor, Professional Organizer and Personal/Professional Coach. Totally Organized provides organizing, one-on-one coaching, seminars and products all devoted to help you organize your life. FREE monthly electronic newsletter. Send an email to list_TotallyOrganized-subscribe@topica.com to subscribe. Totally Organized, P.O. Box 54091, Philadelphia, PA 19105-4091, (888)321-8263. email- TOrganized@aol.com.

Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips@stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!

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