Organized A to Z Blog

Peace Stealers – Paper Management

April 22, 2009

Special thanks to Organized A to Z partner Kelli Wilson, a professional organizer and owner of A Simple Plan Consulting for contributing this week’s “peace stealers” series and offering practical solutions to help you find a new sense of peace and calm!

Peace Stealer #2

Someone “helped” by bringing in the mail, some is on the table, some on the microwave. The pile is looming, the VISA is late AGAIN and the To File stack is now migrating to Canada. Wait, “Where’s the insurance form,” the passport, the school needs what certificate to register for kindergarten?

Tips for paper/mail management

• Establish one place for mail. Either the “helper” puts in there, and ONLY there, or leaves it in the mailbox.
• Establish bill pay dates 5th & 20th, 1st & 15th and schedule time with yourself to do this. (Trust me, it’s less daunting when there’s a plan)
• Go through the mail over the trash. Toss ads etc, open EVERYTHING. Toss all extra inserts, envelopes. Keep “only” what you need to pay or take action on.
• Use a small basket for envelopes, deposit envelopes, stamps and bills to keep it all together. Review the basket 1st & 15th
• Simplify files so things can easily get where they belong – keep them out of Canada.

Filed under: Business,Home Management,Organizing Tips,Paper Management,Professional Organizing