Mission Completion

I have filed each and every document in the remaining stack of paperwork. The result is not a pretty system, but I have followed the 'like with like' principle and I have done it using only existing folders and boxes to store everything.  The system is set up in the corner of our kitchen area opposite a wall painted with chalkboard paint.

Firstly, I have a tray to cope with inwards mail. The mail can be sorted into clear plastic pocket files (bills to be paid current projects and I have a receipt file to hold all the loose receipts that make their way into the house).

I have used a basket that originally came to us as a Christmas hamper full of food to house more folders. The folders are the newly created 'household organiser' and 'household finances' folders. These are works in progess. I am building a selection of templates to help me with routines, planning events, goal setting and keeping track of our finances.   

Next I have a recipe and takeaway menu folder which I have used for many years and is regularly used.  There are some spare folders I have stored here aswell, just in case I need more resources for anything that comes up.  The magazine holder stores my note pads, compendium and felt pens I use regularly.   The whiteboard calendar above and a fabric covered notice board (out of shot) help us keep order to daily life. This is the first half of my system.  The second half looks like this

 It sits in the bottom of the hutch dresser in our lounge. It was already housing some of our paperwork, but I cleared out some other miscellaneous stuff that I had been storing and now have a dedicated space for paperwork.  The top left corner is the kids area for artwork, profile books from preschool, activity books etc and I have their certificates and bank statements separated out in folders for each child.  The top right is our property area - we have a lot of house renovation paperwork for a project we recently completed, so that has to stay for now.

The bottom left is Hubby's zone for his club and school paperwork and bottom right is a concertina file with our annual paperwork (where bills paid etc. get filed) and a pocket folder housing our operating manuals for the home.

Sadly, I have been unable to label everything because my labeller is on the blink, but I am hopeful that if I get the folders and boxes labelled ASAP I will be able to recall where everything is at a glance and keep the system working smoothly.