How I did it: The hardest part was getting started. Once I went through a few folders, it went well and I finished quickly.
I started at the beginning of my file cabinet and went through each folder, tossing everything that I knew I wouldn't need. Once there was extra room in the drawers, I created new folders for the huge stack of papers on my desk. Each piece of paper went into it's appropriate folder - if there wasn't a folder, I made one and labeled it with my label maker. After a while, everything had a folder.
I put all the "everyday" stuff in the front of the drawer for easy access and the stuff I rarely use in the back.
Finally, I made copies of important documents and put them in my firesafe. This included front and back copies of all my credit cards. If your wallet is lost or stolen, it's a quick was to have all the card numbers and 1-800 numbers available for quick cancellation, rather than having to pull old statements or look it up online.
Lessons & tips: If it's a document you don't use on a monthly basis, you think you might need it later, put it in one of those cardboard boxes and label it for one year from now. When the year is up, toss the entire box (without looking inside). If you haven't needed it by now, chances are you won't ever need it. This does not apply to IRS/tax documents - they should be kept for 7 years.
Make a folder for ever member of your family. It's easier to find medical or school documents for a specific person, rather than having a "medical" folder and a "school" folder.
Keep all receipts in a folder together for returns and warranty information.
Resources: Office supply store: file boxes, label maker, hanging file folders.
mrsrad just is.
on copying the front and back of credit cards. This is something that I too need to do-both at work and at home. We just moved our office which would have been a great time to clean out files, but I had no time. I just had to get everything put away.
