1. { GETTING YOUR PAPER UNDER CONTROL 2. Goals More time More money Less chaos Peace of mind Emergency preparation Income tax support Identity & financial protection Ownership protection BENEFITS OF GETTING PAPER ORGANIZED 3. Even if you have tried unsuccessfully in the past, there is a way to get your papers organized for a lifetime You just have to be willing to... DO THE WORK ARE YOU READY? 4. Touch it and decide. Decide to toss it, decide if its important or vital and decide on the next action. Sometimes the next action is to put it in a folder labeled to be filed Just DECIDE TO DECIDE FORGET THE 1 TOUCH RULE! 5. It will never be perfect Aim for peace of mind rather than perfection. Make Progress Your Perfection YOU WILL NEVER BE DONE 6. Simple decisions create flow ITS A PROCESS 7. Create an Command Center/Tickler File Process mail IMMEDIATELY File, Toss, Shred Containerize magazines, newspapers, receipts, etc. Get everyone involved (After School Flow) Opt out of junk mail dmachoice.org Purge at least 10 paper items each day for 5 days START WITH SMALL ACTIONS 8. Should be located where stuff lands Recycling bin Shredder Household notebook Family calendar Inbox for everyone in the household Everyday file Tickler file To file Coupon holder* COMMAND CENTER 9. Bills & invoices that need to be paid Invites, reminders & items that require response or action TICKLER FILE IN COMMAND CENTER UNTIL ACTED ON THE COMMAND CENTER 10. Paid bills/invoices needed for tax or other support Subject references referred to on a daily or weekly basis Household utilities/maintenance/home improvement records Family medical, work & education correspondences and records Legal, insurance, financial, & tax statements and records EVERYDAY FILE THE COMMAND CENTERONE YEAR NEAR COMMAND CENTER 11. VITAL FILE Identity docs/personal health, education/work histories Legal agreements, estate docs, health care Household inventory, property & vehicle ownership docs Tax returns, legal, insurance & financial account summaries Vital Document Checklist THE COMMAND CENTER INDEFINITELY EASY ACCESS- GRAB N GO 12. Tax return support records Legal support records (alimony, child support Home support records (tax, legal, insurance) Vehicle maintenance records Wellness support records (policies, health care receipts, etc.) IMPORTANT FILE THE COMMAND CENTER10 YEARS OUT OF THE WAY- EASY TO ACCESS 13. REFERENCE FILE Recipe, meal planning file Health or exercise journal Household manual file Home idea notebook Family memories, goals, dreams binder Any activity or interest! THE COMMAND CENTERUNTIL NO LONGER USED NEAR LOCATION OF ACTIVITY 14. All of your important records are filed in the Important File out of the way All of your vital documents are filed in the Vital File More recent important records are stored in the Everyday File Reference materials are organized, not cluttering counter-tops, and more importantly not mingling with important records & vital documents Finally, papers that need action are put away promptly in the Tickler File/Command Center. SUMMARY 15. BLUEPRINT FOR FILING SYSTEM 16. Create an Command Center/Tickler File Process mail IMMEDIATELY File, Toss, Shred Containerize magazines, newspapers, receipts, etc. Get everyone involved (After School Flow) Opt out of junk mail dmachoice.org Purge at least 10 paper items each day for 5 days REVIEW: START WITH SMALL ACTIONS 17. Contact a Professional Organizer (Me!) for hands-on training and guidance Get an action plan Follow up with regular maintenance Take a deep breath and relax! www.7isity.com NEED MORE HELP? PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING SERVICES Kitchens Home Office Bathrooms Closets Moving/Downsizing Design Garages Coaching Virtual Organizing Small Business/Office Organizing Workshops/Speaking 210.570.7699 Music by TemplateWise