« Yo, Happy New Year! | Main | National Glaucoma... »
 

Entry bubble Taming the Paper Jungle in 2009

By: Ginger | January 02, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

I am no longer a New Year’s resolution kind of person. My resolutions were always too strict and things I was destined to break. Instead of resolutions, I am setting a few life-friendly, good-for-me goals for 2009.

This past year things went, to use one of my favorite phrases, to hell in a handbasket. My once casually-organized office morphed into a jungle. In fact, the whole house has taken on jungle-like qualities, and I am not referring to the musical jungle in Disney’s production of the “Jungle Book.” My jungle is one of paper, clutter, and dust.

woman holding a green file folderUp until now, I have been too preoccupied with life events to care or to do anything about it. As I head into 2009, I know that this disorganized situation isn’t good for me and contributes to making me feel anxious. So, one of my 2009 goals is to slowly bring order and organization back into my personal life.

I have receipts, warranties, insurance documents, copies of bills, and a host of other bits of paper that all desperately need a good home or a toss in the circular file. Instead of rushing in and just tossing everything in a massive purge, I need a little guidance on what records and documents to keep readily available, which things to store, and what things it is safe to toss. “Preparing Your Household Records” is a great article with some helpful tips. It is especially important to get things in order with tax season coming up. Consumeraction.gov also has some great guidance on what consumer documentation should be kept and organized.

They say confession is good for the soul. One of my little secrets is that my husband and I were irresponsible and never got copies of our marriage certificate. We assume the justice of the peace who married us filed for it, but who knows. So, it is time to figure out how to get copies of that. “Where to Write for Vital Records” is a good place to start. This site tells you how to obtain marriage, life/death, or divorce certificates, and the good news is that most of these documents can be ordered online.

I am sure I am not the only person out there who needs to get a grip on the clutter. If you happen to be an organizationista (hmm, did I just make up a new word?) and have some suggestions or useful tips, drop me a line. And if anyone spots a toucan with a stapler, I think it is mine.

| View Comments [6] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: ginger   organizing   paperwork   vital_records  

Comments (6):

blue comment bubble Posted by Arlene on January 06, 2009 at 08:20 AM EST

You know I was listening to a podcast about a similar topic:

Scanning and Archiving Your Papers from the Get-It-Done Guy:

http://getitdone.quickanddirtytips.com/scanning-and-archiving-your-papers.aspx

He has great ideas and refers you to IRS publication 583:

Kinds of Records To Keep

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p583/ar02.html#d0e1577

This should help you on your quest to tame the "jungle." We all have the same problem, especially after the holidays.

I also like the Simplify101 website - she has a whole section on organizing your office:

http://www.simplify101.com/organize-your-office.php

Hope this helps you! Happy 2009!

Comment Permalink

blue comment bubble Posted by Archivista on January 08, 2009 at 11:05 PM EST

The National Archives offers advice on organizing your personal family papers and photographs. See http://www.archives.gov/preservation/family-archives/

Comment Permalink

blue comment bubble Posted by Cindy Sue Causey on January 09, 2009 at 10:22 PM EST

Another incredibly timed piece of information as I desperately need all three (oopsie).. Thank you for thinking of this one..

Peace and best wishes from North Georgia.. :)

Comment Permalink

blue comment bubble Posted by Ginger on January 12, 2009 at 08:59 AM EST

Apparently I am not the only person in "clutter crisis". I have gotten some emails from folks out there and I just wanted to share something else. I am reading a book called "Organizing from the Inside Out" by Julie Morgenstern, a professional organizer. I have found it to be useful. You may wonder how I came about having such a book. I received it, along with a video... just in case I didn't have time to read the book, from my husband for Christmas.... That is how bad things have gotten! You know you are in trouble when you get gifts to help you clear up the clutter! Anyway, good talking to you! Have a great year!

Comment Permalink

blue comment bubble Posted by Yolanda on January 13, 2009 at 12:01 PM EST

Amen sister! I have been working on my paper clutter since before Thanksgiving and I am determined to finish this. I have also been trying to recycle as much of my old books, glass and such. We had a big discussion at the dinner table about becoming more green and finding ways to conserve energy starting the new year.


www.squidoo.com/homemade-solar-energy

Comment Permalink

blue comment bubble Posted by Unknown on February 01, 2009 at 10:36 PM EST

Another good post. Thanks for posting it. I really need this.
good luck. Hope to see more articles from you soon.

Comment Permalink