Simple Tips to Organize your Home Office

Looking to simplify your life and downsize the amount of paperwork you have? We are constantly bombarded with information, and the accumulation of paperwork can feel a bit overwhelming. Many people find themselves buried under a mountain of documents, receipts, and notes, which can be a bit stressful and unorganized. Simplifying, often starts with taking a good look at the physical space around you. Here are a few ideas to help get you organized.

Photos & Cherished Keepsakes

Throughout the years, we all have accumulated an impressive collection of cards, photographs, and various other memorabilia that hold sentimental value. These items often represent significant moments in our lives, and memories that we cherish deeply. I found myself in possession of countless boxes filled to the brim with these treasures, each box telling its own story. Some contained birthday cards from friends and family, each with heartfelt messages that brought back fond memories of the past.

As time moved forward and I continued adding to the collection. It became apparent I was running out of room to store these. Now you may think, how can you possibly go through and narrow down memories. Well.....You can start by going digital.

Go Digital

While I kept a few treasured pieces, most of my collection is now digital. This may seem like it will be hard to decide what to keep and what to toss. Just remember, you are keeping everything, its now just digital. The process will be easier with this in mind. Use a home printer that has scanning capabilities. Start with all of the cards you've gotten over the years. Scan the front and backs of each card. You will notice many of them are just simply signed by the giver, where others have a heartfelt note or sentimental messages and this will help when deciding on what to keep or even if it's worth scanning.

Greeting Card

Greeting Card

Greeting Card

Keep it Simple

Narrow the items on your computer into 3 folders - "From Family", "From Friends" and "Old Memories".... Old memories may contain things like an old lease from the first apartment you rented or something along those lines that's fun to remember. After everything is scanned in, you may want to save the files on a thumb drive and store it in a fireproof safe. Now, if anything should happen you have a back up of your memories. Which is another great reason to go digital.

For the very special items you want to keep...Get a handful of matching binders to store everything. Use photo sleeves and sheet protectors, which are available in various sizes to fit all of your photos, paperwork etc. I typically arrange these by year to help remember when things occurred and its a great when looking through later.

Paperwork

Let's talk other paperwork.....Even with online paperless options we still all have bills, receipts, car documents, insurance information, on and on. Paper and more paper. It's time to organize and have a system in place to stay organized.

Get a Fireproof Safe for the important Stuff. Depending on how much critical paperwork you have, will depend on the size safe you may want. I have typically used smaller options in the past, however, I've grown to love having one with a file drawer in it. Yes it's larger but it's certainly a more organized way to keep files. And of course I use the safe for basically any paperwork that's important like taxes, birth certificates, car titles etc.

I also have a yearly file organizer for the every day mail, bills etc. I keep a years worth of anything I may need to go back to and reference. This may have receipts, car insurance or car information, water, electric or gas bills, medical information etc. I typically keep these folders for 2 years. I then go thru it, keep anything critical and shred or toss the rest.

File Daily Mail immediately so it doesn’t pile up. This is the hard part. We often want to pile our mail on the counter until we move it to another place where it collects dust. Develop the habit of filing daily and this won't become a pile at all. This is easier said than done but once it's part of your daily routine it becomes easier.

Make use of a Home Shredder. It's definitely one of the most worthwhile tools to invest in. As previously noted, retain your file folders for 2 years and shred anything unnecessary. By following this method, you'll discard one file folder at the start of each year. Additionally, you can repurpose the folder for the current year.

These are just a few ideas to get started

organizing your home office.

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