Tips From an Organization Expert

The Paper Trail

MHI: How should I organize important documents: bank statements, paid bills, insurance documents?

JW: Keep important paperwork in a 13-pocket accordion folder or filing box. Label one tab for each month of the year. Reserve the last slot for the year’s tax return. As you pay your monthly bills, file them under the appropriate month. Add bank statements and credit card receipts. When you complete your tax return, drop that in, too.

Another idea: Organize and categorize your business contacts by scanning business cards into your computer and discarding the original. This is a great way to keep down the bulky paper clutter that business cards produce as well as enable you to locate the contact with ease when you need it. NeatReceipts is a scanner and software program that is great not only for receipts, but also for business cards.