Lazy Filing

I mentioned in my last post that I finally tackled the file cabinet.  This has always been the task I dread the most and I never keep up on it, but I save EVERYTHING, so there is always a tons of stuff.  I thought this was going to take me weeks to get done, but it only took me 2 days!  I realized that my file system was too specific and that made it time consuming to file.  I've created a new system I call "Lazy Filing" and I made very general folders that should make it much easier and faster to find and file.

As I said above, I save everything, but I've never actually needed to find anything, so I figured the lazy filing system would be just fine to implement.  I also addressed my need to save everything... it's not necessary, so I've come up with some rules on saving things, especially receipts.  I'll keep receipts  for small items in a holding folder for 30 days.  That should give me enough time to decide to keep the item, or if there are any issues, to return or exchange it.  Big ticket items go right into the file folder and skip the holding folder.

So here's what I've done:

I created new files.
House: I've created a folder for 2010-2015 and a pre 2010 folder and a Misc. folder.  These are for estimates, repairs, inspections & mortgage/insurance info
Medical & Insurance: a folder for 2010-2015 and a pre 2010 folder and a Misc. folder.  Anything related to our medical expenses or insurance goes in these folders.
Receipts
Instructions & Manuals
Car & Life Insurance (these are the same company and billed on the same bill)
Bank & Financial.  Any communication from our bank (other than mortgage info) and any other financial documents
Vet
Cars
Lauren Work.  Paychecks, notices, and any other paperwork.
Lauren 401k
Cory Work.  Paychecks, notices, and any other paperwork.
Cory 401k
Taxes, each year that we have (back to 2000) I know, I know.  But I can't get rid of them.

You could add any other folders that seem relevant to you.  One for your kids for each year.  My kids aren't in school, so anything related to them is a medical statement.

I took a banker's box and put each of these folders in a hanging folder.  I took files out of my cabinet one by one and sorted through each folder, discarding anything I could and filing the papers to keep.  I was able to get rid of quite a bit and got everything in order and it went much faster than I expected.  I then moved these back into the cabinet.  Anything 2014 and 2015 stayed on the top drawer, as did other folders we access often: Receipts, Car & Life, Bank & Financial, Vet, and Work, 401k.  Everything else went to the bottom drawer.  I also put a bright colored hanging folder in the front of each drawer for items that need to be filed that I can't get to right away, that way I'm not just cramming them in random folders like I was before.  I have room to see and open all the folders and it feels great!