How to Get Rid of Paper - For Good!

Save valuable storage space, breeze through your tax returns, and protect your important documents from floods and fires by moving to a paperless filing system.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• ScanSnap S510 scanner
• Shredder
• Recycling bin

1. Purchase, download, and install JungleDisk (http://www.jungledisk.com), which automatically backs up files on your computer to Amazon file servers.
2. Purchase and install a ScanSnap S510 scanner. (If you're a Mac user, you'll want a ScanSnap S510M.) Install the OCR software that makes the text of your scanned documents searcahable.
3. Create a folder on your computer called "Scans." Now create new folders within this folder that mirror your current filing system (or how you wish your current filing system was).
4. Make sure that you set the "Scans" folder to be backed up in JungleDisk!
5. Create a folder on your desktop called "Scanning Inbox."
6. Start scanning your documents and drop them into the "Scanning Inbox" folder.
7. Time permitting, move files from "Scanning Inbox" into the proper folder(s) under "Scans."
8. Shred or trash documents as they are scanned and backed up.
9. Designate a physical Inbox that you can drop papers that need to be scanned. Make sure you scan on a regular basis.

Tips & Warnings

• Not sure which folder to put a file? Put it in both!
• According to IRS Rev. Proc. 97-22, electronic documents are JUST as valid as paper ones - you do not need to keep your original papers if you have a scanned copy.
• If you're overwhelmed by the amount of scanning, aim for one folder a day. You can also enlist a young relative to help.
• Keep original birth certificates, social security cards, car titles, house deeds, and any other critically important documents.
• It's critical that you keep an off-site backup of your files (using JungleDisk, or another program) so that if your computer or your home is damaged, your files are safe.