Some days I feel like my life is a giant pile of papers! I can’t believe how much paper comes into my house. So a couple of weeks ago, Teal and I took, what I like to call, a paper management class. And so far, it has helped eliminate the stacks and stacks of papers I have on my counters.

This system actually makes a lot of sense and is very easy to use. All you need is a hanging file folder box, some hanging files and tons of papers! First, number your files 1 through 31 (for all the days of the month) and label the other folders the months of the year and whatever else you need to file. For example, I sometimes get mail for my parents at my house. So I have a file marked “mom and dad”.

Now you start to file the papers away. For example, if you get a wedding invitation in the mail with directions and a RSVP card, put the invitation and directions in the folder marked the day of the wedding and file the RSVP card in the folder marked 5 days before it’s due. That way you can stick the card in the mail and the bride will receive it in time. Then the night before the wedding you check the next day’s folder and see the invitation and directions right there!

I have to renew my nursing license in October.   So I’ll make a note and put it in September’s file that I need to get my continuing education done that month before I have to renew in October.  I’ll even put the catalog for the class I want to take in the September file.

You could even have a file for recipes that you want to try or crafts you want to make.   I also made a file for the committees I’m on at church.  No more papers on my fridge for me!!