I need an idea for paper/docs/receipts organizer

I tried to look at the Internet to see if there's something already made but I can't find anything.

I have a lot of paper and letters and receipts to keep and organize but I just need an idea how to do that because otherwise everything gets into a mess.

Do you have any ideas maybe?

3 ring binders work for me. They come in a variety of sizes.

Also, photo albums with the lift up plastic for each page works great for recipe cards. You can also buy recipe card index boxes if you prefer that.

I have a box that I bought at Walmart, for hanging file folders. Each folder is labeled with whats inside. It keeps everything nice and tidy where I don't have to see it. There's folders for car stuff, medical stuff, taxes, utilities, etc.

you can also follow some methods on books

For my business I keep certain manilla folders on my desk, after the info is recorded on the computer I file in an expandable file container. After my taxes are done I arrange in a three ring binder.

The receipts I tape to a 8.5 x 11 piece of paper so they don't get misplaced.

Also there was an article in the WSJ last week I keep refers to a couple website that might help also. SeeJaneWork.com and there is a company caled ButtonedUp that sells a good looking organzier called Life.doc. No website listed but it should be an easy search.

I just did a quick Google search for "organize receipts" and one of the first things that came up was a website called Shoeboxed. You can scan receipts and organize them there or they scan your receipts for you (that costs a little bit of money every month, but it definitely sounds worth it.).

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by Going Nova

I have a box that I bought at Walmart, for hanging file folders. Each folder is labeled with whats inside. It keeps everything nice and tidy where I don't have to see it. There's folders for car stuff, medical stuff, taxes, utilities, etc.

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I do the same thing....I actually have one for my "stuff" (cat files, car stuff, ect) and one for my school work where I keep all of my essays that have been marked after I have finished the class. I stack them under my desk.
obviously you're going to want a system for old stuff and current stuff. I hang the active stuff (ie: receipts to go to the insurance company) on a bulletin board, but you could just as easily have baskets or something like that on your desk. Once the stuff wont be needed for awhile, put it in the hanging folder!

Originally Posted by shabadew

I just did a quick Google search for "organize receipts" and one of the first things that came up was a website called Shoeboxed. You can scan receipts and organize them there or they scan your receipts for you (that costs a little bit of money every month, but it definitely sounds worth it.).

Hope this helps!

Click to expand...

I saw a machine at Costco that did the same thing, you could do it yourself, I think it was $150 or so. It sounds neat, but $$$.

I would use folder or I bought an accordain(ms)file briefcase from Wal-mart that has 20 pockets and a place for a CD and 2 places for Business cards. It was about $10 and it keeps all my business files organized.

I stuff 'em all in my purse, and when it gets too heavy to carry, I buy a new one.

Originally Posted by Cat Mommy

I saw a machine at Costco that did the same thing, you could do it yourself, I think it was $150 or so. It sounds neat, but $$$.

I would use folder or I bought an accordain(ms)file briefcase from Wal-mart that has 20 pockets and a place for a CD and 2 places for Business cards. It was about $10 and it keeps all my business files organized.

Click to expand...

Yeah, you just need to get a cheap scanner to start scanning receipts yourself. There are some software packages that are up to $250 that do the same thing as the free Shoeboxed service. Also, you often have to buy expensive software updates for them, which is kind of a pain. Shoeboxed will scan all you receipts for as little as $9.95 a month, which can save you a lot of money considering how much time it can take to organize all your receipts yourself. I was talking with a guy the other day who spent two whole weekends organizing a box full of receipts for tax time. Imagine how much that amount of time would be worth to him in a dollar value. It's definitely more than $9.95!

Originally Posted by Going Nova

I have a box that I bought at Walmart, for hanging file folders. Each folder is labeled with whats inside. It keeps everything nice and tidy where I don't have to see it. There's folders for car stuff, medical stuff, taxes, utilities, etc.

Click to expand...

That's exactly what I have... there are folders for bank statements, credit card statements, pet recipts/medical records/product info, car stuff, my college alumni stuff, etc... works really well

There are also divided expanding pockets.... I have a plastic one (as opposed to flimsy cardboard) - it's like an accordian thing - I used to use it for a job I once had

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

I stuff 'em all in my purse, and when it gets too heavy to carry, I buy a new one.

Click to expand...

I read your replies... the idea of some organizers sounds good but I have so much paper to organize.

Saving the receipts online or even on files is ok but I think it would be better having it in real paper with me in a case the CD gets lost or scratched (not-readable) or the website that stores your files wants to charge more for the service ("new terms") or who knows.

Hmmm......

I'm trying to look on google but can't find any original idea... it's pretty hard to find an original idea for that

Well you tackle a bit at a time. It sounds like you may need a file cabinet so you can have handing file folders?? I have a bin up by my desk filled with organized folders.
.
I even do this..... when I go through my garden magazines I tear out articles/pictures/ideas etc. I sort out by trees/shrubs/perennials and subdivide those, annuals, diseases,insects etc. Smaller articles get taped to paper.
It works quite well.

The trick is to have a bunch of file folders and think how detailed/organized you want to
be and sort right away before you have to much!!

Originally Posted by Cat Mommy

I would use folder or I bought an accordain(ms)file briefcase from Wal-mart that has 20 pockets and a place for a CD and 2 places for Business cards. It was about $10 and it keeps all my business files organized.

Click to expand...

I use an accordion file too

I have a cardboard accordian file that I got from Kmart on clearance several years ago, I hate the colors, but each of the pockets is marked for all kinds of different expenses and receipts. Mind you, I use it for the invoices and expenses for our business, just clear it out twice a year and file each six month term in a regular file folder.

Originally Posted by GailC

The trick is to have a bunch of file folders and think how detailed/organized you want to
be and sort right away before you have to much!!

Click to expand...

Yeah.
Is there any idea to what folders to use? Anything original perhaps?

Many places sell file others in other colors than manilla or colored. You can buy ones will floral pattern, stripes etc. To me however they might be kind of distracting?? I just want the file labled properly.

Originally Posted by GailC

Many places sell file others in other colors than manilla or colored. You can buy ones will floral pattern, stripes etc. To me however they might be kind of distracting?? I just want the file labled properly.

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Color sounds good
And I was also thinking about it , look here:

http://www.staples.com/sbd/img/cat/e...487_01_enl.jpg

Well, it's in Staples (I got 1 store not far away from here at all) and it's only $1.98.
I can buy like 10 of those, put a sticker on each with title like "Car" "Bills" "Taxes" etc...

In the big side I can put docs and in the small pockets all receipts of that category - what do you think??

Originally Posted by arie85

Color sounds good

And I was also thinking about it , look here:

http://www.staples.com/sbd/img/cat/e...487_01_enl.jpg

Well, it's in Staples (I got 1 store not far away from here at all) and it's only $1.98.
I can buy like 10 of those, put a sticker on each with title like "Car" "Bills" "Taxes" etc...

In the big side I can put docs and in the small pockets all receipts of that category - what do you think??

Click to expand...

This might be ok for the short term, but if you have a lot paper, then you would need to keep buying new ones. I would use an accordain file folder that expands or a small filing cabinet.

I have one like this, but a little bigger.

http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/st...=0&catalogId=1