A filing system arranged chronologically, by subject, or alphabetically can help you keep track of your affairs. Use a system or a combination of systems that suits your needs. Before starting, simplify matters: discard clutter such as junk mail, expired coupons, and mail and clippings no longer of interest.
You can, of course, file your papers on shelves or in shoe boxes, but to ensure their safety, a metal box or drawer cabinet is ideal. Mark the sections of your file drawer by inserting guides of reinforced cardboard, or identify a file’s subject on the file folder’s tab. Chronological files Label five folders with the days of the workweek; arrange them in a drawer consecutively, then add an extra folder marked Next Week. Hold items in this system until you have acted on them, then move them to another system or discard them. This system is handy for engagement reminders, calls to be made, and errands to be run, as well as for some financial matters.
Drop bills as they arrive into the appropriate date folder; place payment due reminders in appropriate folders (possibly Next Week). Transfer records of all paid bills to a financial file that is organized on a 12-month basis for bank statements and checks. Subject files
Arrange the subjects alphabetically. Subdivide where appropriate, as in a section marked Financial. Subject files lend themselves to considerable flexibility; you can always retitle, subdivide, or consolidate folders in this file as you progress. Alphabetical files If you have a lot of correspondence, this system will help you retrieve letters. File alphabetically by last name and put the most recent letters toward the front of each folder.
A box of 3 x 5 index cards is an alphabetical file of many uses. It can help you keep your address list up to date or catalog your books, record collection, or recipes.