Go Paperless

The automatic document feeder is acting up again. I just had the darned thing repaired. It doesn’t like scanning documents with a perforated payment coupon. It’ll scan the first part of the document then tear at the perforation and then error out with a paper jam.

I’m starting to turn paper clutter into electronic clutter. My regular monthly computer backups are getting close to spanning more than 1 DVD. I really need to figure out some sort of document management solution.

I had an issue with my Canon D480 multifunction copier. The automatic document feeder was doing an automatic paper jam trick. Since the copier was still under warranty I was able to get it serviced without any out of pocket costs.

I’ve already converted my banking, credit cards, and wireless service to electronic statements. I still need to switch over my student loans and retirement accounts.

I want to scan in all my receipts and statements, then look online for all the manuals i have and find them in PDF or scan them. Once something like the Kindle comes to a 8.5×11 or something i will totally be on the ball of having no filling cabinet.

I used to be a compulsive hoarder. Now every time the mail comes, I’ll process it near my trashcan, shredder and scanner. Instead of printing everything, save the document as a pdf to a directory where you backup to Amazon S3.

Instead of writing passwords down and using the same one over and over, use 1Password on the Mac.

Switching to electronic billing for everything has helped. Additinally you can cut down on junk mail by registering at https://www.optoutprescreen.com/

I don’t want a filing cabinet in my small home office.

The aim is to scan everything and keep the PDF, and just end up with a handful of box files containing paperwork.

Current plan is to keep only:

1. One box of recent docs like credit card statements, the sort of thing that you need for ID.
2. One box of annual docs like house insurance, water rates
3. One box of long term docs like car registration
4. One box for random memento type stuff

My shredder is working overtime at the mo :)

I got a Fujitsu S510M, and a paper shredder. I’m making progress, and the must-keep documents will go into a safe deposit box.

It feels great to get rid of the mountains of paper!

I just got my scanner today. I’m going to scan up all the stuff, and shred all non-legal docs. I’m well on the way there.

i took huge pile of paper, and surfed a lot. i reduced almost everything to links. all that is left is small “to scan” pile and lots of links. (if any link gets broken, at least i know what to search. that is the risk i’m willing to take.)