[paperblizzardvictim]

I used to be really organized until life hit me with an elderly blind Mother dying from lung cancer, my sister with down syndrome with beginning stage alheimers, unexpected deaths of an Aunt and Brother leaving behind unfinished issues there, two needy not too helpful sons, a new marriage, all on top of an active Real Estate career. Oh yes, we moved twice in this time frame also. My problem is I am so far behind I can't even see daylight with the mountains of paperwork. All bills are paid, but I still have not finished my taxes from last year, filed an extension at least. I was sick for two months and my energy level is low. I have tried several times to get organized and I get short stopped constanly by the constant demands of my family's needs. I can barely think straight it is so overwhelming. I have tried hiriong help and it only made things more confusing. I don't even know how to stop and prioritize/approach this problem and everyday the mess gets bigger and bigger when the mail man comes. I appreciate any advice at this point.
paper blizzard victim

[Abe]

Hi,

Ok, first of all don't panic. You need a step by step approach to conquer the clutter. While not all problems can be addressed here but I would recommend you obtain a folder and simple filing system to file the paperwork as they bills and expenses occur. If you do not have the time to do so. Simply put them all in one folder. Take one day in a week to sort them out and then arrange them in folders marked as bills, invoices etc.

Junk mail that you will not read or will use. If you "think" you will use the info but have not gotten around to it. Chances are that you will not use, so please throw it in the trash. However it is very very critical you take time away either daily or during the week when you have some down time to slowly reduce clutter in a step by step approach. Hope these tips help you. Please keep me posted or if I can be of further assistance to specific problems. Thanks

Originally Posted by paperblizzardvictim

I used to be really organized until life hit me with an elderly blind Mother dying from lung cancer, my sister with down syndrome with beginning stage alheimers, unexpected deaths of an Aunt and Brother leaving behind unfinished issues there, two needy not too helpful sons, a new marriage, all on top of an active Real Estate career. Oh yes, we moved twice in this time frame also. My problem is I am so far behind I can't even see daylight with the mountains of paperwork. All bills are paid, but I still have not finished my taxes from last year, filed an extension at least. I was sick for two months and my energy level is low. I have tried several times to get organized and I get short stopped constanly by the constant demands of my family's needs. I can barely think straight it is so overwhelming. I have tried hiriong help and it only made things more confusing. I don't even know how to stop and prioritize/approach this problem and everyday the mess gets bigger and bigger when the mail man comes. I appreciate any advice at this point.
paper blizzard victim

[arnold]

Nice advice, anyway whatever system you use to organize, it is important to make sure keeping it simple and easy to use.

[sally]

well, I think that require some guidance from experts to make thing simple.

[janet]

Abe has provided some great advice as to how to keep it simple:

1. work on it a little each day
2. throw out the junk as it comes in
3. a very simplistic filing system

Although I would also focus on the bill paying end of things and set up a system for that. We have everything set up to auto-pay after approval and use MS money to help organize the bills. While this isn't necessarily simplistic to set-up, it has greatly simplified things in the long-run. We also called all of our companies and requested that our due dates be set to around the same time of month. All bills are due at that time, so DH can set down once and work through them.

I hope this helps.

[GregP]

What happened to the paperless revolution?

Somebody forgot to tell the junk mail companies :-)

See, we have basically three types of mail coming through our doors.

1. Bills (how fun!)
2. Junk Mail (ads, credit card solicitations, etc.)
3. Personal/Important Mail (everything from birthday cards to personal documents you'll need to keep)

Some "experts" will tell you to take care of this stuff right away...but there are ways to put it aside without letting it pile up.

First of all, you don't have to check your mail every day. Sometimes, the last thing you want to do is look at a bunch of bills so getting the mail everyday doesn't have to be part of your routine.

However, if you are concerned about somebody stealing your mail...then go ahead and take it in daily (see below). But if you don't have to, then don't.

Another option is spend the money on a PO Box and only getting the mail 2-3 times a week. It's nice to take a few days off from bills and junk mail.

We're all in the habit of "getting the mail" as if there's going to be a million dollar check in there. But more often than not...the mailman isn't delivering the good stuff.

This is a personal choice of course, but another way to ease the flow of paper coming into your home is again, to simply ignore it every other day.

Now, with that said, when you do decide to bring the mail in, you should deal with it right away. At least avoid dropping it in an existing pile (of yesterdays mail).

A great, cheap way to deal with the mail right away with very little effort is to use zip-lock bags.

That's right, zip-locks.

Get three of them...

On one, you right "bills to be paid." You can fill this bag with your bills and worry about it 2-3 times a month on your designated bill-paying days.

The 2nd, you write "action needed." This is the mail that needs to be filed or action needs to be taken (I use three ring binders for important docs). I would take care of this bag of goodies at least twice a month.

The 3rd you write "to be destroyed" -- this bag is for the credit card apps or junk mail that has personal information you'll want to destroy at some point. (If you don't have a shredder...then get one). But you can let this bag go until it's full...then you hit the shredder.

All three bags can be kept in an enclosed pocket folder or a box somewhere out of site but near the area you typically open your mail.

For the rest of the mail...coupons, sales postcards, etc...use the basket and toss them right away.

These are some simple ways to manage the biggest culprit causing paper clutter in our homes.

To being organized!

Greg

[dave]

Thanks for those great tips!

[Smilla]

Originally Posted by GregP

A great, cheap way to deal with the mail right away with very little effort is to use zip-lock bags.

That's right, zip-locks.

Get three of them...

On one, you right "bills to be paid." You can fill this bag with your bills and worry about it 2-3 times a month on your designated bill-paying days.

The 2nd, you write "action needed." This is the mail that needs to be filed or action needs to be taken (I use three ring binders for important docs). I would take care of this bag of goodies at least twice a month.

The 3rd you write "to be destroyed" -- this bag is for the credit card apps or junk mail that has personal information you'll want to destroy at some point. (If you don't have a shredder...then get one). But you can let this bag go until it's full...then you hit the shredder.

All three bags can be kept in an enclosed pocket folder or a box somewhere out of site but near the area you typically open your mail.

For the rest of the mail...coupons, sales postcards, etc...use the basket and toss them right away.

These are some simple ways to manage the biggest culprit causing paper clutter in our homes.

To being organized!

Greg

That is basically what I do too, only I use trays in a cabinet in the entry
and I separate the things to act upon and the things to file, because I file once a month but I try to get the things to act upon done every week.