Clutter Busting Coach

…clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

Organizing Paper Clutter

Organize Your Coupons

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I had the pleasure of recently conducting a clutter seminar at a local library. The question of organizing coupons came up.

The audience participated in brainstorming some ideas for coupon organization:

• Organize by category or expiration date. Use a small accordion file labeled 1 -12 and placing the coupons in the respective tab (7 for July) by the month of expiration. Or if have difficulty filing that specifically, just place in an envelope.
• Keep an envelope or your file in your purse or glove box and go through it matching your grocery list just before your shopping trip. This way you won’t leave your coupons at home.
• Set a reminder on your calendar to clear out expired coupons.

And, from me, if you routinely do not use the coupons you clip before they expire, give yourself permission to stop cutting coupons and adding to your clutter.

I am always amazed at what I learn from my audiences. Do you have a coupon tip to share? I would love to hear it.

Creating Your Filing System

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Why filing systems don’t work:
• You are trying to adapt someone else’s system.
• You have set up a very complex system (maybe color coded and too many small categories).
• Your file cabinet is not in a convenient location.
• You are trying to keep too much to start with (records versus references).
• You have not set up time on a regular basis to manage and maintain the paper flow in your life/office/business.

Here are some tips to set up a file system that you will use: [Read more…] about Creating Your Filing System

More Paper Clutter Control Techniques

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I could spend days writing about conquering paper pile ups. And I will continue to share bits and pieces in future posts. I did want to share a few more techniques now that you have your incoming mail under control.

In order to stay on top of paper and prevent it from piling up:

  • When handling a piece of paper decide what action needs to be taken and place it in the desginated spot.
  • Do it now. This would support the suggestion of handling paper once. This is not always possible, but if the action needed would take less than five minutes, now may be a good time to handle it.
  • Make time for paperwork. Schedule time in your calendar and keep the appointment with yourself. This includes time for regular paperwork such as bill paying and maintenance such as files.
  • Request electronic documents (investment annual reports) versus hard copies.
  • Don’t be a copycat.

By implementing this techniues you can stay on top of the paper that comes into your life.

Clutter Control: Conquering the Paper Pile Up

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The best defense is a good offense when it comes to handling papers. The key to getting a handle on paper is to deal with it starting at the front (or side) door.

Daily when you get your mail, start by sorting it before you get too far into the house:

  • Pull all the advertisements or junk mail and toss in a trash can you have conveniently located near the door or recycle.
  • Open and sort the rest of the mail at the mail station you created. Sort into: “To Do”, “To Pay”, “To Read” or “To File”. These folders will live in the file system (more on that later) that you have created in the section in the front labeled “Action Files”. Don’t forget to trash or shred the rest including fillers that come with bills and the empty envelopes.
  • Place magazines in a basket or verticle holder and catalogs in their own place.
  • If you don’t have time to sort the mail immediately, place it in a designated area (maybe a basket) and set a time to sort later.
  • Then set time aside on a weekly basis to handle your folders and schedule a regular time to pay bills such as the 1st and 15th of each month or whatever works for your cash flow. [Read more…] about Clutter Control: Conquering the Paper Pile Up