09/09/2013
Tips to organise paperwork and filing cabinets
Part 2:
• Now that you have your paperwork categorised, it is time to file it away the right way.
• Organise papers chronologically.
• Always put the oldest ones at the back of the hanging file and the newest at the front.
• If you are filing bills, clip together with a paper clip each financial year (from 1st of July of one year to the 30th of June of the following year). At the end of each financial year, you can toss the oldest pile in one go. Some accountants say we need to keep 5 years worth of bills and receipts, some say 7… You will need to make this decision yourself. I keep only 5.
• Make sure you dispose of your paperwork that contains confidential and personal information wisely. Shredding is always the most secure way.
• Even if you decide to organise your filing cabinet alphabetically, I think it is best to use perhaps the top drawer for your personal stuff (studies, courses, documents, hobbies, brochures of interest, etc.) and the bottom drawer for business like stuff (utilities, banks, tax, insurance, car, etc.) or vice versa.
• Again, do not fill up your filing cabinet too much. If you do, you might end up not using it.
• Some people use manila folders to sub-categorise inside each hanging file. If you chose to do so, make sure you can see the “name” of the manila folders easily and that the manila folder is just a simple open one and not one with a flap. If you need to bring the folder out of the filing cabinet every time you need to file a paper away, you might end up not bothering. I think some times it is best to just have a hanging file for each category even if you have lots of them!
I hope these tips are helpful.
More to come!!!
