Do you want a truly simple organizing system that requires minimal time and effort to maintain? If you have stacks of paperwork on your desk or documents filling your drawers, this method is for you! Go-To Boxes give you organization at its simplest.

Simple to set up, easy to maintain

To get started, you will need three sturdy boxes, each able to accommodate letter-sized paper. You will also need three plastic document folders, preferable with a zip closure, one for each box.

Setting up

Label one box “Financial/Legal,” another “Family/Health,” and the third “Home/Possessions.” Do the same for the document folders. Using different colored labels or marking pens is a nice touch; I like using green for Financial/Legal, red for Family/Health, and blue for Home/Possessions.

Organizing

Separate out your important documents into the box where it belongs. If you have online accounts, you will need to print out a recent statement, summary of plans or benefits, etc. and then add that paperwork to the box.

Put the things your want most readily accessible (e.g., passport, copy of driver’s license, copies of medical insurance cards, birth certificates) into the appropriate plastic document envelope, and keep the envelope at the top of the box, where it will be easy to find in a hurry. Some vital documents are more safely stored elsewhere, either in a safe deposit box or a fireproof safe; if you choose to do this, make a list of what is stored elsewhere, and keep the list in the document envelope.

Using

Organizing with Go-To Boxes may mean a bit more shuffling of papers when you go to look for something, but you won’t have to wonder if you’re looking in the right place. After you’ve found what you’re looking for, just put it back on top in the box.

Maintaining

Maintaining this system is a cinch if you can get in the habit of tossing papers into the appropriate box after you’ve reviewed them or acted upon them. Once a box gets full, or at least once a year, you can start from the bottom, where your oldest/least used documents are, and recycle or shred any that are not needed for tax or other purposes.

Congratulations! You have successfully organized your important paperwork!

For more information, please contact me.