A Filing System is a Personal Thing

How do you file your important paperwork?

In our experience “A Filing System a Personal Thing”. How your brain works is how you should set up your filing system.

Are you the ALPHABETICAL TYPE? Meaning you automatically look for things in alphabetical order. Yes, thats me. I even start saying my ABCs in my head when I am looking for a folder in a file drawer. I have my files set up with each account separately, all in alphabetical order. It doesn’t matter (in my head) that I have my bank account folder next to my medical folder, next to my electric company folder, next to my personal folder, and on and on and on.

Haleema (our new team member) also uses the alphabetical system, with the addition of being CATEGORY TYPE. Let me explain. She has hanging file folders set up by categories (like financial, medical, and personal in alphabetical order) and then puts folders inside each category folder (like financial, then Bank of America, John Hancock, Morgan Stanley, etc.). I think it depends on how much paperwork you have for each category. If you tend to scan or save electronically then you may not have much actual paper and this type of system can work great.

Are you the HATE TO FILE TYPE? Then you may like a filing system set up by months. This type of system requires you to only file once a month and (mostly) into one folder. Often when I suggest and demonstrate this type of system to clients they are eager to try it. It’s so simple and really works. You don’t even have to use a filing cabinet with this type of system.

The whole idea of a filing system is to be able to find what you are looking for when you need it. So consider what type of system you are using. If it’s not working for you, try something new since a Filing System is a Personal Thing!