Clutter Busting Coach

…clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

Organizing Paper Clutter

Paper Clutter Cures

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With April being tax season and filing right around the corner, I thought I would visit paper clutter since I know that I am always personally trying to address records during this timeframe.

There is so much paper even if we have switched a lot of things to electronic or digital processes. The difficulty with paper is not only managing the current paper coming into our lives, but our paper files. As part of my 40-day purge, I also handled some papers.

Here are some tips for reducing paper clutter: [Read more…] about Paper Clutter Cures

Paper Purge Challenge Wrap Up

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Did you join me for the May Paper Purge Challenge?

For me, doing a paper purge for the month was an interesting opportunity.  I was able to recycle a LOT of references including warranties for items we do not have any more, resources I had previously clipped and empty file folders. I stopped counting at three copy boxes worth of recycling. That is what happens when you skip your annual paper review for multiple years. And this was in addition to purging tax and financial records in April when we had an opportunity to participate in a shred event.

Here are some things that I learned during this process. [Read more…] about Paper Purge Challenge Wrap Up

Paper Clutter Challenge Check in

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For the month of May, I challenged myself and you to do a Paper Purge.

Have you joined me? If not, it is not too late. If you have, what insights have you gained?

One of the ways that I am getting rid of paper is to stop it in the first place or handle it as it comes in. Here are some of the tips that I have employed this past week:

  • Handle mail as soon as it comes in: toss, recycle, shred, scan or place in an action folder (requests for donations).
  • Stop tearing out recipes from magazines and take a photo of the recipe. Suggestion: If you do not use it in a month, delete it from your phone.
  • Schedule a day and/or time to file the small numbers of paper you intend to keep for records (only save records), scan (if you did not do it when you handled the paper) and shred.

By not having a few “working” piles of paper in my visual sight this week, I have gained some space and freedom.

I am excited to create more space this coming week.

Paper Purge Challenge….May  2021 

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Earlier this year I offered up a 40 Day Declutter Challenge. Did you participate? I again learned lessons during my annual 40 Day Purge.

I was so motivated about the space I was able to free up during that time, that I am starting a Paper Purge Challenge for the month of May.

I decided on this Challenge because it works so well for me to have a target period of time for a commitment. And I also realized that sometimes by challenging ourselves with small tasks, we can be motivated to move outside of our comfort zone.

So, starting next Saturday, May 1, I will begin my paper purge. Will you join me?

Not sure where to start, view some of my previous posts on dealing with paper piles, creating your filing system and the care and feeding of your paper piles.

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A Case for Conquering Paper Clutter

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I find myself every year around the tax deadline (I still think April 15 even though this year the deadline was extended) thinking about and dealing with paper.

The challenge with paper is that there is a lot of it and it requires a lot of decisions. Each piece of paper requires a choice.

While the pandemic has caused more of us to be virtual and more electronic, there still is a lot of paper to deal with from junk mail to filing. Many of us end up with paper clutter because, as previously mentioned, we delay decision making.

Think about your paper and how it serves you. Paper is either a reference or a record. And I will also acknowledge that it can be a memory too (special birthday card or acceptance letter for example).

One way to stop paper clutter before it starts is to stop it before it enters your house. Another way is to handle it as soon as it enters your home. While another way is to determine which papers you need really keep and then handle them immediately by filing them.

Commit to conquering you paper clutter today. Start with this year’s tax documentation and determine what you need to keep a hard copy of and what can be kept electronically and then shred the rest. Starting with this current paper pile can start you on the path