Thursday, December 06, 2007

Advice Forum Friday


Hey, y'all! It's time once again for Lori to show how little she knows about...everything. Cause I'm runnin' to my internet buddies to ask your advice yet again.

Can I just tell you that I love hearing what you have to say about...everything? Seriously! I appreciate it more than you can imagine!

I guess, heck I know, that I'm an insecure type. I always wonder how other people are handling situations, whether they be minor or earth-shattering. And even when I KNOW without a doubt what I should do, it's always nice to hear from someone else's perspective.

So Thanks.

And on to my question for you this week. I would love to hear about your paper organization system. I have a mountain of paper on my desk, and it makes me very sad. I've got homeschool stuff, public school stuff, bills, coupons, church stuff, medical stuff, all kinds of stuff, just like I'm sure everyone else has, too. Where do you put it all? I have files all over the dang place and I've tried 40-eleven different systems, and I still haven't found something that works for me.

I'm hoping that hearing how other people handle this yuckiness will inspire me with a new and successful plan. So lay it on me.

And you know what, if you want to post the answer at your place and then just sign the Mr. Linky down below, go ahead. If you want to post your advice here in my comments, go ahead and do that, too.

And as always, here's the way to get your question seen by all 6 of my readers:

Write a post at your blog
Link to me in that post
Sign Mr. Linky down below

If you don't know how to use the Mr. Linky, please e-mail me and I'll be happy to walk you through it. It's one of the few bloggy things I know how to do.

3 comments:

Kelley said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. You're so sweet.

About the paper tiger - I am FAR from having conquered it, but I have been eyeing a new system called the Kitchen Folio at momAgenda.com. You should check it out. It looks like a great solution for all of the school stuff and family business papers that clutter the countertops everyday.

Milehimama @ Mama Says said...

Well, I stack them all on my desk behind my laptop, and when the gas man comes to disconnect us, I root around until I find the bill, use the page function to find the phone, and call it in. Perhaps I'm not the best one to give advice.

My filing system I do unconventionally, actually, but it works for me. So hang in there until you find one that works for you! I have a two drawer filing cabinet. The top drawer is where I keep the important files, the lease, the insurance papers, and what have you. I don't use those three tabs across folders - mine are all in a line behind each other. I also don't file alphabetically. I file according to the system in my brain. So the file for dh paystubs is first (have to file in there every week). Behind that are files I use a lot - phone co., water bills, etc. Behind that all our different insurance papers are together, and behind that is retirement stuff.

The bottom drawer holds nifty printer paper (putting it in a file folder makes sure it doesn't get crumpled or the kids don't steal it and draw on it.) I have a file folder with stamps and envelopes. I have one file assigned to each kid, I file their misc. stuff I need to keep, report cards, nifty pictures, special cards they receive, etc.

Throw away most of the paper that comes through. That's my tip and I'm stickin' to it.

Jennifer said...

I so wish I had a magic answer to this. If I did, then that would mean I wouldn't have piles either!

I do use a 2-drawer filing cabinet and just have a file for pretty much everything. I have a folder for each of CJ's subjects for school and keep his papers, grades, test booklets, etc in those. I don't have to worry about the bills - hubby takes care of all that and files them in his office. My biggest problem is not so much the system, but actually USING it! I let it all pile up and then have to spend an hour filing things away. And I won't even get started on the other piles that are all around my desk/table, because I have so many projects going on!! My solution? A bigger house! But that's not happening anytime soon, so I guess I'll deal with it!