indoors
G E T O R G A N IZ E D
Paper Trail
Tame out-of-control paper-
work with this easy system,
shared by super-organized
reader Bobbie Ambuske.
BY JO A N N A SM ITH
S T A R T W IT H : A S C A R Y M E S S
Piles of receipts,
stacks of unopened bills, and credit card
statements scattered everywhere—
if this sounds
like your desk, then you’re in luck. This system
manages mail from the moment it enters the
house. Bill-paying goes fast, credit card state-
ments are checked regularly, and everything is
filed away so it’s easy to find come tax time.
S T E P i : S U P P L IE S
Gather two baskets or letter
trays and label one “Receipts,” the other “Bills to
Pay.” Stock the “Bills to Pay” basket with
bill-paying necessities (see a recommended list,
page
78
). Put both baskets in clear view wher-
ever you set the day’s mail, such as your desk or
kitchen counter. You’ll also need a
12
-pocket
accordion file (more on this later).
S T E P 2: S O R T P A P E R W O R K
Follow the “touch it
once” rule for receipts and mail. As soon as you
get any paperwork, open it and put it in the
appropriate action basket or toss it right away.
Ask your family to do the same.
S T E P 3: PA Y B IL L S Q U IC K L Y A N D O N T IM E
Choose a
time (every Thursday night, every payday, the
15
th of every month) regularly dedicated to
bill-paying. On that day, pull out your basket and
start writing checks (or schedule online pay-
ments). As you pay each one, don’t forget to
write the date, amount paid, and check number
on the statement. When you’re finished,
replenish any supplies in the bill-paying basket.
76 APRIL2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
