Works for Me: Filing in Binders

My kindred spirit in organizing (you know who you are ;) recently showed me a most fabulous way of doing away with both the need for "filing" and a better way to keep my paper clutter in order!

She got the inspiration from this most wonderfully organized lady featured on I Heart Organizing ...a wonderful blog that I wish I could love in :)

Here is her beautiful system of organizing what would normally belong in a filing cabinet ....

 Isnt it beautiful?

She uses binders to order the paper work that many would put in folders, would have to file and (if she was me) put off filing. All of the reference paperwork she needs is at her fingertips, in these way cute and organized binders. I love it.

My friend had done the same, which is what gave me the kick in the pants (we often return the favor to each other like that). Jenna's (that's the super organized lady) binders were labeled such that they fit her personal needs, as did my friend's. Everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to keeping paperwork, but here is what I came up with!

I have a binder for all my monthly bills, insurance policies/statements, important papers (birth certificates, passports, immunization records, etc), warranties/instruction books and taxes.

A few of these I LOVE LOVE ...

Monthly Bills ..I have never came up with a solution to keeping my bills organized and how to avoid filing at all costs. This is perfect for both. I placed 12 dividers in my binder, labeling them with each month of the year. I place all my bills under the month that they are paid. I have found that it is a great place to store receipts for larger purchases, also.

The front pocket is a fabulous place to place the bills as they come in. When its time to pay bills, I grab my binder and my hole punch and get to work.

Because I pay most of the bills by online bill pay, I pay my bills and then print the confirmation list. I punch holes in it and my statements (those that I still get in paper form) and place them in the current month.  I love having it all together. And, NO FILING, its already done. At the end of the year I will take each month out and file in a manilla envelope labeled with the year.

Taxes ...this was my friends idea. She created a binder where she can file receipts and such that will come in handy when preparing taxes next year. My dividers are health care, property taxes, education, and last year's return. I am going to LOVE it next year when I do not have to look for anything :)

Warranties/Instruction Bks ... another favorite because it took up SO much room in my filing cabinet! Using page protectors as pockets, I categorized the booklets and warranties by type (electronic, tools, kitchen, kids, misc.). I found this was a GREAT place to store receipts for these items and to document the id # of the product. As I shared before, this was a lesson I had to learn the hard way :)

Aside from it being a great time to declutter all these space hogs, I made this potentially important info much easier to get to if I need it.

Now, I have to admit to a feeling of discontent both when I worked on my binders and every time I look at them :) The main reason (really, the only reason) is because mine are not cute like Jenna's. The budget requires that I put off purchasing binders that look good later ...but I didnt want to wait until then to have the benefit of having them organized.

So ..here are my ugly but efficient binders ...yes, they are currently on the floor under my desk for want of a better place for them. And, yes, they dont match. And, yes it drives me insane every time I look at them :)

{Sigh} They are still wonderful, and I love both Kim (my organizing soul mate) and Jenna (a gal who I dont know but love from afar) for showing this great method of non-filing! :) ...this definitely Works for Me!