This Week’s Tip Sheet: Decluttering, Organizing and Simplifying Paper Clutter

Welcome to Week 20 of the Simplified and Organized Home Challenge.

This week we’re working to declutter, organize and simplify our bill paying systems, paper clutter and mail.

It might seem like a weird time of year to tackle these things but most of the time we store these items in the closets, cabinets or drawers of our home offices.

And since we’ve recently tackled those areas, you might have gone through your paper clutter but are unsure how or where to file everything.

Now is also a great time to reassess how you’re organizing your tax, property and estate documents as well as your medical information.

And let’s not forget all the paperwork the littles are bringing home this time of year.

We’re pretty diligent about staying on top of our paper clutter now but goodness it wasn’t always that way.

I’m by nature a “stacker” and I can’t tell you how many times I used to revisit a stack of random mail or paperwork to look for the post it note I wrote my doctor’s appointment down on.

Thankfully, most companies have an email or text messaging system to help keep track of those things, but I know paper clutter can get overwhelming quickly if we’re not careful.

Below, I’m sharing a few of our favorite tips and tricks to help keep you organized.

Now on to this week’s Tip Sheet!

This Week’s Tip Sheet…

 Quote of the Week:

“You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” ~ Stephen King

This Week’s Big To-Do’s:

• Declutter, Organize and Simplify Bill Paying Systems and Paper Clutter
• Bring Flowers to Someone Who Would Least Expect It
• Celebrate Armed Forces Day or Volunteer on River Cleanup Day
• Buy a Fresh Notebook or a Pair of Sunnies
• Eat BBQ on National BBQ Day

This Week’s Tidy Tip:

Bills and Mail…

*One of the biggest culprits of paper clutter is mail. So be sure to declutter and organize it as soon as you bring it inside.  After checking our mail, I typically make 3 piles: Recycle, Shred and Address. I immediately recycle the things that can be recycled like community newsletters or advertisements, shred the things that can be shredded like credit card solicitations and junk mail then file the paperwork that needs to be filed. It takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish and feels so good to not to have lots of piles stacking up.

*Speaking of shredding, consider buying a quality shreadder that’s easy to use and maintain. It makes a big difference. We’re had ours for almost 15 years!

*One simple way to avoid paperwork related to bills, bank statements, and invoices is to go paperless. Many companies and banks offer this service. Be sure to dedicate a folder on your phone or laptop to help make keeping track of specific items or services easier.

*Consider creating digital systems or taking advantage of autopay services if you feel comfortable.

*You can also scan documents onto your computer and create digital files. Just be sure to back them up regularly.

*If you’re short on time, create a mail drop in your office or your entry and designate a time to go through your mail each week.

Personal Documents…

*Create a file folder, binder or bank box dedicated to personal documents such as medical, tax and estate documents. That way, you’ll have them organized and they can easily be accessed if you need them.

*Binders are especially helpful for family members or caregivers who might not know your full medical history but need to quickly access the information in an emergency.

*Binders are also helpful if you have multiple properties with taxes due at different times of the year.

*If you’re managing the estate or paperwork of aging parents or multiple family members, assign each person a box or binder and a specific color code so you can keep everything organized and in order. That way, it doesn’t pile up on your loved one’s kitchen table, they have the paperwork if they need it and you can go through it during your caregiving visits.

School Papers, Cards and Mementos…

*School papers, cards and mementos can be one of the most difficult things to declutter and organize. Consider taking pictures of your children’s artwork to store it digitally or creating a keepsake box. Then go through the keepsake box at the beginning of the school year to see what you want to keep and what you want to make room for.

*If you’re a proud aunt, uncle or grandparent consider rotating the artwork you receive seasonally or using the one in, one out rule.

*If you aren’t ready to part with the pieces just yet, keep a list of the special artwork or cards the littles give you. For example, I keep the letters from my youngest nephew in an envelope with his name and I label the framed artwork my niece gives me with her name. While I have no plans to part with any of it right now, I know my sisters would want these items back if something should ever happen to me.  

*If you have older kids that have sports or school paperwork, designate a drawer in your kitchen so you won’t have to hunt for items like permission slips at the last minute.

Shopping Your House and Honoring Your Paper Boundaries…

*Honor your paper boundaries in the same way you would honor the boundaries in your closet, pantry or bathroom. This is especially important if you like to buy seasonal items like napkins and décor off season.

*Shop your house and use what you have first. It might seem kind of obvious but how many times have you bought a birthday card or party supplies and never used them? Paper clutter includes all paper, not just bills and invoices.

*A lot of people hold onto things because they might need or use them “someday.” If your drawers are overflowing with cards and other ephemeras, send the cards, frame the concert ticket, use the labels, and wrap the gifts-there’s no time like the present.

This Week’s Wellness Tip:

As Becoming Minimalist shared in this post, clutter can affect our health in a variety of ways.

And dealing with your paper clutter is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

If it’s piling up and you’re avoiding dealing with it, set a timer for 15-20 minutes so you’ll have a focused time to go through everything a little at a time without getting overwhelmed.

Put on a calming playlist, podcast or audio book.

Then find a reward that makes you feel motivated.

It might feel like a lot of effort at first, but it will be worth it once you’re finished.

As always, I hope this week’s Tip Sheet has helped.

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Cheering you on as you work to proactively tame paper clutter,

CoCo

PS: If you’re new to this series, you can find all of our previous Tip Sheet posts here.

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