indoors
G E T O R G A N IZ E D
BILL-PAYING SUPPLIES
□ Checkbook
□ Envelopes
□ Return address labels
□ Stamps
□ Pen
□ Calculator
□ Log-in information
for any online bill-
paying services
Semikolon
accordion file, $
15
;
seejanework.com
MACKIS letter trays,
2
for $
10
; ikea.com
S T E P 4 : C H E C K Y O U R S E L F W IT H R E C E IP T S
As each
credit card and bank statement comes in, check it
against the receipts collected in your basket. If you
find an incorrect charge, contact your bank or credit
card company immediately. Place in the accordion
file only receipts for permanent items or items that
may need to be returned. Shred remaining receipts.
S T E P 5: P E R M A N E N T S T O R A G E
As you complete each
step, immediately file any paperwork you need to
save in the accordion file. Label the sections clearly.
Bobbie uses these categories: Income (for pay stubs),
Giving (all charitable receipts), Insurance (state-
ments for car and home-keep the policies in a
fireproof safe), Medical (all bills and statements,
along with explanations of insurance benefits), Taxes
(property tax bills, once paid), Receipts, Paid Bills,
Utility Bills, Credit, Banking (for monthly state-
ments, once reconciled). At the end of the year, write
the year on the file, and start a new one.
78 APRIL
2009 BETTER
HOMES AND
GARDENS
©2009
S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. All rights reserved.
