Household Filing & Avoiding File Piles

Today’s feature tip is from Organizing Junkie:

I know it is time to file when the basket I have designated as my “to file pile” gets full to the top.

That basket is the limit that I set for myself and it is full and so it is time…I must file. Uggg. I shudder to imagine how long I might allow myself to go without filing if I didn’t have a self-imposed limit.

I don’t know what it is about filing. It feels GREAT when the filing is all caught up. I truly enjoy being able to pull open a file cabinet drawer, pluck out the labeled file folder I’m looking for and instantly find the sheet of paper I’m needing. So why is it so hard to keep on top of filing? It’s a mystery. Weekly filing is something I try to do, but when life gets busy–it’s last on the list.

Handy Tools For Organizing Files

Here are a few filing items that have made a big difference for me:

• An Oxford Sort-All is a must. It makes the filing job soooo much easier to sort everything neatly in front of you and then file in the folders, rather than trying to keep track of (and make room for) piles all around you or filing each sheet, one at a time, as you work through the file pile.
• A Brother electronic labeler. Your file folders never looked so good with these neatly typed labels. Besides, it’s totally fun whipping up labels and you know–whatever gets you motivated to maintain a good filing system is a good thing right!
• Expanding file pockets. These can’t be beat for filing thick items like contracts, booklets and small, loose papers. These file folders have sides that expand and keeps items from falling out, yet are fully open along the top like a regular folder so it’s still easy to find whatever it is you are looking for.
• A nice basket to hold all your papers until you can get the filing done (like Organizing Junkie has pictured). Mine isn’t as nice as hers, nor as large–but it adds a nice touch to your home office and does keep everything neatly contained. Treat yourself to a nice basket, it’s allowed .
• A good quality filing cabinet. Using an unstable, rickety filing cabinet is just plain frustrating. Watch yard sales and auctions, I picked up a HEAVY old fire proof filing cabinet that holds an unbelievable amount of files. One of the best second hand finds I’ve made to date.

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