In case you missed it, I am focusing on getting ourselves organized this month. I started off with “30 Ways in 30 Days to Get Organized” and then showed you how I have created my To Do List binder. Well, today we are going to be starting to tackle all of that paper! Here are a few tips on how to organize paperwork and bills!
It really is amazing how much paper clutter can accumulate in the house. Mail, bills, receipts, tax information, kids’ papers – it can all add up to one big mess! But don’t worry. With a few items and a little organization, you can easily learn how to tame that paper beast.
I thought I would start today with how I organize our mail {and all of those bills that come with it!}. When our mail comes in the door, it generally lands on the kitchen counter. I always sort through all of the junk mail right away and send it off to the recycling bin. I then open all of the other mail, make sure that there are no emergencies that need to be dealt with right away, and sort it out in our kitchen command centre.
See that mail system on the wall? All of the bills that need to be paid or other papers that need to be filed goes in the “File” section. This generally waits here until my bill paying day on Friday.
I also have a set of drawers to organize my other most frequent paper piles. The top drawer is for coupons, gift cards, and any receipts for items that I will be taking back. The seconds drawer is for papers relating to the kids – stuff from school, birthday party invites, sports activities, etc. And the bottom drawer is for our phone book and phone numbers that I jot down but don’t have time to enter right away in the phone book.
5-10 minutes and that is all done.
On bill paying day, I take all of the paper in the “File” section down to the basement where our filing system is. I keep track of all of our monthly bills that need to be paid on this form which is kept in Our Family Binder.
I write down the amount paid in each box rather than just checking it off. It is easy to see what bills have been paid and all of the monthly payments can quickly be compared. With the exception of our credit card statements {which I keep for at least a year or longer depending on what was purchased}, I generally shred all of our bills after they are paid.
Other paperwork such as tax forms, receipts, etc. all get filed away. Each week, this will probably take another 10-15 minutes. Really, not a lot of time.
Does anyone else have some great tips that they use to organize their mail? I’d love to hear what you do!
UPDATE: If you are looking for more ideas, you can find our updated kitchen command center HERE. 
I linked up with Not Just a Housewife, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Tidy Mom, Delightful Order, The Shaaby Creek Cottage, The 36th Avenue, Lil Luna, Tip Junkie, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Home Stories A to Z, Today’s Creative Blog, Under the Table and Dreaming, Craft-O-Maniac, CRAFT, Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Be Different Act Normal, Lolly Jane, Too Much Time on My Hands, Tatertots and Jello, Whipperberry, The Shabby Nest, Chic on a Shoestring and Tidy Mom.
erm… can I admit that it all sits in a pile until it’s too big and falls over, then I file it by randomly throwing it in drawers? I so need to take a leaf out of your book!
save your bank statements..my mom has to file for a program for my ill dad and they are asking for at least 6 years of bank statements same for nursing home if you have to put your love ones in. I went paperless with bank statement but after finding this out, I went back to get them in mail.
Paper is one area that I hate. I have it pretty well organized but I try to eliminate as much as I can. I am not good with paperless though – with some things! too nervous!
girl…I think you need a vacation in SC at my house!! I will provide all the heat and sunshine you desire and you can, well….help me with my paper clutter!! I need this!! 🙂
Paper clutter is my number one nemesis! To keep it under control, I try to sort the mail as soon as it comes in the house. Otherwise, it’s overwhelming when it stacks up. I still procrastinate with filing though – hate doing that! I love how you use the drawers to organize things. Great post! Thanks for sharing your fabulous ideas!
I love your 3 Drawer Pile Set up! i am thinking I need to do that ASAP! Yep! Great post all around!! I HATE paper and PILES- your’s looks super neat and tidy all snugged and put in place! Gotta get on it over here! 🙂
Jen
Thanks for these tips! I know what I SHOULD do, but I struggle with how to do to them. I was just complaining to my husband tonight that my “hot spot” is completely out of control on the kitchen counter. You have some great (and beautiful ideas). I found you from I ♥ Nap Time.
Ditto what PP Wendy said. I am getting better, but I marvel at the concept of a clear and usable desk and how you can possibly fit the kids stuff into one drawer! Summer is a good time for me to weed through all those school papers, I guess. Thanks for the post!
Papper clutter is difficult for me to face, without you notice it, suddenly the place is piled up with papers. Thank you for sharing this, the small drawer would be very helpful with papers. thank you.
Great ideas! I have little stashes around the house and it drives me crazy when I can’t find stuff. Thanks for sharing!
~Ellie @ beauty4ashes-ellie.blogspot.com
I’m a new follower and am really enjoying reading your newer posts. I’ll catch up with the older ones later!
Thanks for the tips. Organizing our home office is my all-day project tomorrow. The current piles of paper are embarrassing!