So the great thing about having a blog is being able to refer back for information. Say for example the last time you might have done your filing. In my case that was quite some time ago. Almost 11 months ago to be exact! I know, I couldn’t believe it either. For those that don’t remember I have a basket that defines for me when my filing needs to be done. When the basket is full, I file. End of story. My mom always gives me the gears about not filing right away but I really hate filing so I like to save it up until I have a whole stack that I can take with me and sort into piles while I watch TV. Are you starting to notice a TV watching trend here? It’s how I get things done, what can I say. So here is my basket on the floor in my living room ready to go.
That is 11 months worth of filing and the basket is just now full. It’s really not a big basket. As you can see I don’t keep a lot. The bare essentials only. Took me about an hour to get it sorted (like with like) and put away into the filing cabinet. As I put the new stuff away I pull out the old stuff for shredding.
Such a good little system this is for me that I’m going to look forward to doing it all over again come this time next year.
Sorry Mom!
To see what others are tackling visit 5 minutes for mom!
~Amy says
I created a mail center lastnight. It looks so much better. I even made a folder for filing. Yea! I’ll be doing what you did today in a couple of months with all the stuff I’ve been sticking in the “to file” section.
~Amy
butterflygail says
Wow, you don’t keep much!! So if you have that small of an amount of filing, why not file as you go? I recently moved to expandable pocket folders – one for my desk top (action, enter on computer, needs attention, read sometime, etc.) and one alphabetical for my current files. I also have 2 baskets – one for scanning into the computer and one for shredding.
I’m still going through boxes of papers that were stashed, but I’ve been trying to go paperless as much as possible the last year or so.
Org Junkie says
I know that would totally make sense wouldn’t it…lol. I didn’t realize it had been that long since I filed last. I just go by how full the basket is. This was my year to cut back on paper I guess.
Julie says
I am so impressed that you only file once a year or so! I have paper coming out my ears! With 7 children who seem to bring home lots of paper from school and church, plus all the mail we get and bills I keep, there is way too much paper around here. I could probably fill up a 30-gallon trash bag with the paper I have laying around.
I need to go back and read your original post about filing.
Thanks for the inspiration!
bohgirl says
I’m soooo bad wiht my filing, but a basket would be a great way to contain it. I have one now for the mail that I have to go through to shred, so the obvious next step would be to transfer it to where I would file from!
JEN says
We have organizing bins in our office area for bills and junk mail…it helps us to sort through as we go along everyday life.
Candi says
Wow–that is great!! I hate filing!! I haven’t gone through my cabinet in over two years!!! I have stuff to file, but need to pull out the old stuff to make room.
I organized/re-did a wall in my living room that was driving me batty!!
Deb says
Yeah! Happy Tackling! Mine is done, but I still need to re-pack for my cruise Dec 8! I pack once, then do a once over a week before! Im going with BFF!!! WOO HOOO!
Susanne says
I still need to pick up one of these baskets. My youngest sat me down last night and gave me the same talk I’m always giving them because of the piles of paperwork I leave everywhere. And I know this is a bone of contention with my hubby, too. I thought computers were supposed to get rid of the paperwork. Hasn’t happened at my house. In fact, it seems to breed. 8vO
Tyra says
Ugh, filing, I’m here at work staring at a pile of papers that need to be filed. Great job!
Alexandra Stephenson says
Great tackle! I have a rather similar basket sitting her next to me…
Scrapping Servant says
I have a “catch-all” filing basket too, it really helps for the mix of my business related stuff on top of my personal paperwork!
Q&Q says
I have lots of filing too. I usually get it done on Wednesday. Your annual basket looks like my weekly basket!!!
Ornery's Wife says
Come check out my office. I finally got “after” pictures posted, and I linked to you. 🙂
TM
Mercy says
You have GOT to be joking! THAT is ALL your filing for ELEVEN whole months?!?!?
Obviously this is an area I struggle with. I have BOXES (with an ‘S’) from 11 months ago to be gone through.
It’s the decision making process I struggle with. Then it all gets set aside until I get really tired of seeing the piles…then… I can get ruthless. Plus by that time, most of my decisions are already made for me because the time has passed.
It’s apparent I need help, isn’t it?
Marcia, Organising Q says
I am so proud of you! And you obviously don’t need my office organising book LOL
I would understand if you had lots to do but you have so little I’d just do it every week.
I file weekly but I clear out every 3 months or so because I only keep 3 months’ worth of invoices 🙂
Twisted Cinderella says
I have a little pile of filing I have to do as well.
Lazy Organizer says
Ok, you’ve guilted me into going through my mail basket. I won’t tell you how big it is. Not that I will file any of it but I will at least sort out the junk mail. I think I can handle it!
Bonnie Walker says
I too hate filing, but after reading this I got the motivation to do mine. I like the basket idea b/c usually mine just ends up on top of my filing container for months anyways. Also, You don’t know me, but I needed to tag someone for the meme I was just tagged for and I really enjoy your blog. So I am tagging you! (I apologize if you hate tags!)
Shannon says
Simply amazing… Have you posted or will you post your process?
I think many people, including myself, would benefit.
Linda Parker says
I collect all that,too. I go through it at tax time, but some of these things have to be kept a certain number of years. People do hang onto way too much- pardon me- crap. I have no cabinets in my new kitchen. It’s all deep drawers. Things are so much easier to get at and I use the baskets, etc. to keep like things together. I am so happy to an organizing buddy…
Linda Parker says
I collect all that,too. I go through it at tax time, but some of these things have to be kept a certain number of years. People do hang onto way too much- pardon me- crap. I have no cabinets in my new kitchen. It’s all deep drawers. Things are so much easier to get at and I use the baskets, etc. to keep like things together. I am so happy to have an organizing buddy…
Lanne says
YES! Finally I find a kindred spirit. I file like this. Incredibly succesful for me too!!!!