File-It

There is something we all have in common, PAPERWORK! I was reading I'm an Organizing Junkie today, and became inspired to share with you one of my favorite things. As I was working on the bills yesterday, I was filing at the same time. There are hundreds of ways to keep the backlog of old bills, invitation, and ticket subs in order.... Trust me, I have tried them all! You can file by category, detailed files by company name, or a simple shoe box of unopened envelopes, yet nothing seems so work.

I have ADHD, something that makes it hard to for me wrap my mind around things that are too complex, like large interact organizing systems. For years nothing really worked until I stumble across the perfect tool for me, the File-It calendar by Avalanche. I am able to keep all my papers and information in one simple place. Each month is a calendar page as well as a file folder. How more simple can it be! This is a "why-did-I-not-think-of-that" item... DUHHH!!! For about 4 years now I have used this product as my primary way of keeping life in order. I admit, I get lazy and revert to the the shoe box full of crap, but really is beyond easy to keep up on the daily, weekly, and monthly papers with this calendar.

How I make it work...

1) The bill goes in the file and the pay stub goes in a a pile to be paid. Also, if there is any tax information or other fincial papers, they get filed as well by month.

2) When we get an invitation, I write the event date on the calendar and place the invite in the folder. If there is a direction sheet (like for a wedding) or an RSVP card I am not ready to send, this too will go in the folder. Now when it comes the day of the event, we can easily find what we need to get to the party.

3) If we buy even tickets weeks or months in advance, they will be placed in the folder. A few years back, Hubby had tickets to a concert we bought way in advance. They were put in the July folder and the day of the concert, he could find them with ease.

4) At the end of the month, all the papers are in once place. You can either fold over the month and keep the file attached to the main calendar. Or you can rip the page/file off and place it in your much neglected file cabinet. This way at years end, you have 12 files full of any and everything you need to taxes and for your memories.

It is that simple... Just as long as you use it!

heheheheheheh