Welcome to Day 6 of our 35 Days to an Organized Home Challenge! Tonight we’re going to be looking at helping you get started on organizing your paperwork! We’re going to show you how we file, and the basics you will need to get started!   We know that many of our readers will be at varying levels of paperwork organization, so we’re going to give you some levels of Paperwork Organization and you can see where you fall!!  We even have a video to show you the basics of how we file! Also, make sure you check out our posts on How to Organize Receipts and Organizing Your Automobile Care Receipts & Warranties

Level 1: You have papers scattered everywhere: on your desk, table, counter tops, etc.  Much of this paperwork may be unopened. You may have a filing system, but you aren’t currently using it.

Level 2: You have a small amount of clutter on your desk and counter tops, but you have an active filing system, and you just haven’t tended to it in a few days or weeks.

Level 3: You have an extensive filing system, and you use it regularly. You also file mail as soon as you open it.

Depending on where you fall in these areas, you will need to decide next steps. If you’re at level 3, you may want to kick it up a notch and purchase files of all the same color and style. You may want to add decorative labels to your files that are printed and look professional.  If you’re at level 2, you just need the motivation to get back into the habit of filing. You may also need to just set aside some time in your schedule to open your paperwork and file. You probably don’t need to purchase much at this point, unless you want to kick it up a notch as well! If you’re at level 1, you may need to purchase some sort of hanging file system.

Please know that keeping your paperwork organized is a guaranteed way to save money! Knowing where to locate receipts will help you when you have to return items to the store. How many times have you purchased an item and couldn’t take it back because you didn’t have the receipt? Maybe a part for your car broke, and it had a warranty, but you couldn’t find the paperwork? These are just some examples of how you are missing out on savings when you aren’t filing your paperwork.

Walmart.com actually has hanging Sterlite hanging file crates like the one pictured above for $4 each ($24 for a set of 6)! You can also buy them in the store for $5-$7 each!  These stack on top of each other, and are cheaper than a filing cabinet if you can’t afford that right now! You will also need to purchase hanging files! Our recommendation is to purchase all one color, because it creates a streamlined look. However, you may want files of multiple colors to help you know various file categories. This is really up to you!

You will also need manila file folders to place in the hanging file folders. This is great for subcategories!  Depending on your budget, you may need to purchase your hanging files at Walmart. Staples also carries a nice line of hanging file folders & manila folders, but can be a little more pricey! Once you’ve decided on a filing system, you are ready to open your mail and start categorizing!! Check out how we file in the video below! Then keep reading to see some of the major filing categories you may want to use!

Once you start labeling your files, its best to use major category headlines, then sub-categories into manilla file folders.

CATEGORIES:

*Auto

-Auto Insurance

-Auto Maintenance Records

*Bank Statements

-Bank A

-Bank B

*Bills

(This is a hanging file for bills that you pay on a monthly basis. You may use many hanging files or a combination of hanging files and manila files).

-Utlities

-Phone/Cable/Internet

-Cell Phones

*Credit Cards

-Credit Card A

-Credit Card B

*Electronics

-Manuals, receipts, and warranties

*Home

-Home owners insurance

-Mortgage/Loan Documents or Renters Agreements

-Home repair receipts/warranties

-Refinance documents

*Medical

-Doctor’s receipts

-Prescription information

-Health insurance Explanation of Benefits

-Hospital bill stubs (This could be cross-filed with monthly bills as well)

*Receipts/Warranties

*Savings/Retirement

*Taxes

Check out our other Organizing Posts!

35 Days to an Organized Home (All Lessons on One Blog Post + Our STARTER VIDEOS!!!)

Organizing Your Paperwork (Getting Started)!
Organizing on a Budget + Dollar Store Deals
Create your own Non-Slip Hangers
Organizing Your Batteries
$4.00 Medicine Cabinet Redo
Organize Your Ribbons for $1.00!
Organize Your Jewelry for $3.00 or Less!
Closet Reorganization: Tips & Tricks (Day 1)
Closet Makeover: Day #2
Tablecloth Organization Tip
How to Organize Your Food Containers
Magnetic Cupboard Doors Video (Make sure you subscribe while you’re on our You Tube page!)
How to Organize Your Finances! (We have a TON of FREE resources for this one)!
How to Organize Your Refrigerator
How to Organize Your TIME!
How to Organize Your Child’s Toys! 
How to Organize Your Mail
How to Organize Your Receipts

Check out our other DIY/Frugal Posts!

DIY Ice Melt (Safe For Pets)
Hydrogen Peroxide Miracle Cleaner
Homemade Laundry Detergent
Homemade Fabric Softener Crystals
Hydrogen Peroxide & Dawn Miracle Cleaner
DIY Homemade Window Cleaner
DIY Homemade Fabric Softener
DIY Homemade Febreeze Spray
DIY Foaming Hand Soap