Is your paper monster under control? Do you feel like you are drowning in a sea of paper? Does your paper pile up? I certainly know the feeling. In real estate, we seem to generate mountains of paper and paperwork. Here are some timely hints for use during tax season to help you deal with all the piles of paper.
1) To start your paper sorting task, make sure you have a shredder and trash can/recycling bin readily available.
2) Have your filing system neatly marked with labels and appropriate folders. Colorful ones make the sorting task easier. Hanging file folders and regular tabbed folders seem to work best. Your categories are based on what you are filing. For tax items, file by IRS categories so you do not have to resort later.
3) Get in the mood to sort by turning on a TV show or your favorite radio station.
4) Work for 30 minutes and then take a break. Have a small goal in mind and stick to it.
5) Handle each piece of paper only once. Decide where it belongs: in your trash can, in the shredder, in the recycling bin or in your neatly marked filing cabinet or box under the appropriate folder.
© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009. All photographs and/or written content produced by Ann Hayden. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select Properties Chesterfield, Wildwood, Ballwin Office.
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Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri
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© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.
Hey Ann, great advice. I always plan to stay on top of the clutter, but once it starts it just snowballs out of control. Untill I can't stand it and have to tackle the whole job.
Hey Brian,
I know just what you mean... Mine gets overwhelming at tax time.... I am getting better since I found a system of filing the necessary papers.
Thanks for stopping by,
Ann
Great post - I clean off my desk on a monthly basis - scan it then toss it or file it. It is amazing how much more productive I am with a clean desk. IBM used to have a rule for its sales staff - at the end of the day, nothing on the desk. Maybe they knew what they were talking about on that one.
Hi Ann, Great advice. I always start out organized... and then low and behold, it turns into a paper monster very quickly!
Sorting and disposing of paper is a task I think we all hate Ann, plus it takes up so much time. If we do it all along things work out much better.
Ryan,
Sounds like an awesome practice! Keep up the good work.
Ann
Hi Mary,
I know... and it is so easy to fall behind. I am getting better, but I can still use improvement!
Ann
Gary,
Yes, paper is a monster we all tend to ignore until it takes over...;-)
Ann
I liked #3. I keep a scanner on my desk and scan most of my documents as I finish with them. Then I file them in my electronic folders. I'm lucky that I live in a State that recognizes electronic signatures and electronic documents.
Ann,
I plasce my receipts in an envelope by the month and that way I always know where they are come tax time. Then when I need them I ask the wife where they are.
The paper monster got me! HELP! I need to forward this Blog to my wife. She has pack-rat- itis.
Russel,
You are quite lucky with that.
Ann
Don,
It might be better to file them according to where they will be deducted...like car, meals, dues, etc.
Just a thought,
Ann
Nelson,
I think we all suffer from that...at one time or another...;-)
Ann
Ann my paper monster looks like King Kong right now. It sneaks up on me so, so fast. Ann Hayden
George,
This time of year is the worst...all the tax stuff creates such a mess...;-) The filing system really does help.
Ann