We are crazy about paper and creating a place for every piece of paper in our home!

Each week we’re following the chapters in the ebook 10 Steps to Organized Paper, by Lisa Woodruff, for our Organizing Your Paper Party!

There are only 2 weeks left! Give yourself a little pat on the back for following along and taking control of your paper!

So far we have conquered!

• Week 1 Taxes
• Week 2 Important docs
• Week 3 Medical Paperwork
• Week 4 Archival- Focusing on Children’s Schoolwork
• Week 5 Manuals and Warranties
• Week 6 Home Binder
• Week 7 Project Basket
• Week 8 Action Files

We are wrapping up today with reference files. It is any paper you need to refer to, but not on a daily basis like our actions files. For most of us, we’re talking about the main file cabinet in our home.

For me, it is where I keep most of my paperwork including:

• important documents from week 2
• medical records from week 3
• current taxes  from week 1

Really, any paper still left after our 8 weeks organizing paper series can find a home in reference files.

Our 1st Step-

Contain in one Place

There are many options besides a traditional filing cabinet for files. The smaller, portable options make filing easy and convenient, well almost.

1.Amazon | 2.The Container Store| 3. Amazon | 4.Target

Whether you have a file drawer, cabinet, rolling cart, bin or box, be sure to create that one permanent place to store your files.

Purge

What papers do you really need to keep? Be honest with yourself as you go through your piles of paper, (especially lifestyle files). Of course we need to keep important records but for how long?

The No-brainer Toss List

• Records for big purchases you not longer own
• Bank statements and utility bills over 1 year old (after everything has been reconciled and unless needed for taxes)
• Expired insurance
• Monthly Investment account statement when you already have quarterly or yearly statements
• Multiple copies of an outdated resume

Ask yourself as you sort, “What is the likelihood that you will need this paper again?”

Sort

What exactly do you keep in your reference files? I made a handy, dandy little reference sheet of sample file categories.  This is by no means a be all, end all to your filing; just to spark ideas.

Click here to download your own copy

Now here comes the hard work- the actual filing! But it doesn’t have to be hard. Check out my 7 tips to make filing super easy!

My #1 tip today- it doesn’t have to be pretty, for now (You can always put it on your list of things to do later). The idea that your files have to be color coordinated with label-made tabs keeps many from organizing their papers altogether.

Well I am here to tell you that is not so! Here’s the proof.

No it is not a bloggy beauty aka pinterest worthy, but it is real life complete with stuffed animals in the background. I file my paper, grab a new file when I need one, scribble on the name, close the drawer and get on with life. Give yourself permission to do the same.

How do you keep all your reference file organized and easy to access? What is on your no-brainer toss list? Have you taken the time to make eye-pleasing files? Does it motivate you to file? Share your tips in the comments below.

Or if you have a blog, link up any of your own paper organizing. This is a party after all! Don’t forget to grab a button to show off!

Be sure to join us next week for tips to maintain your newly organized paper for the long haul! If you are new to our party, catch up on what we have conquered so far.