How to Create Your Own Bill & Document File Organizer

Unfortunately we all have bills, we also all have important documents, the thing most of us don't have is a file organizer that efficiently & effectively helps us manage those important pieces of paper. The process of getting everything together and tidy can be a daunting one but in just a short time you'll be happy you did it and keeping track of everything will be MUCH easier!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Something to store all your important bills and documents in.
• All of your important bills and documents

1. In order to create your own file organizer system you're going to need to gather every bill and important document (at least that you can find!).

2. 
    

   Next you will need something to organize these into. I personally chose a plastic, accordion style file organizer with 13 separate spaces to file things. I chose this because 1) it was cheap (<$10) and 2) everything has one spot and I didn't have to worry about losing individual files or things slipping out.

3. In order to personalize your bill and document filing system to work with your life you'll need to take a look at that pile of papers in front of you. Categorize and group the papers together so you have about 10 different piles. I chose things like Income (paystubs, that sort of thing), Student Loans, Credit Cards, Utility bills, Receipts, and the list can go on and on. Just go through and choose which categories work for YOU!

4. Once your categories are chosen you can go through and label each slot in your file organizer. Then file away the appropriate bill/document into it's new home. Whenever a new document comes in, now you have a place to put it and it won't just end up buried somewhere on your desk.

Tips & Warnings

• Other options besides a portable plastic file would be a safe, a box-type plastic file, or a file cabinet.
• Choose a system that works for you, I have no doubt that you'll be much happier and less stressed next time you need to pull out an old bill, receipt or statement.
• I wouldn't recommend just getting a bunch of manila folders for each category of document. I tried this out and for the amount of paperwork that is going to need to go in there it just wasn't working. Just my opinion, but I've enjoyed having more room and everything in one place much more.