Gaining Order in Your Filing Cabinet

What products should I use to organize my filing drawers?

First, check what type of file drawers you have - do they have the rails on each side to support hanging file folders. If not, you need those rails and can by freestanding frames at any office supply store. Also, ask yourself which size you prefer-letter or legal? And do your drawers although for the size of your choice? Next, buy the Hanging Files- regular or box bottom if you’re going to need a lot of space per category. The Smead brand has FasTab Hanging Files so that you don’t have to mess with the plastic tabs. They’re built right into the product.  Definitely use a label maker to label your tabs- I like the Brother brand. Finally, you’ll need File Folders if you’re going to have sub-categories within your large category (which is written on your Super Tab Hanging File). For example, Nicor, At&T, and Comed would be subcategories of the large category titled Utilities.  Some people organize alphabetically but remember -if you have a car insurance statement for a Toyota in your hand you might get confused. Does it get filed under Auto, Toyota, Insurance or Car? I don’t recommend alphabetically filing unless you’re confident you’ll remember exactly what you named. Some are better at remembering than others.

OTHER OPTIONS:  

If you’d prefer to buy a prepackaged filing system here are two I would recommend.

File Solutions concentrates on organizing files by four main colors. This system is great for those that like an easy visual prompt to put files back after using them. The index booklet you receive also makes is super easy for anyone in your family to be able to find files fast.

FreedomFiler organizes files by time. This system help you file things based on time, when to purge things, and helps show you what papers are permanently kept. If you never purge files and need a reminder, this system does just that.

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