Tuesday, June 26, 2007

paper organization tips?

Having just moved (and still putting things away--where did all this stuff come from, anyway?) has gotten me thinking about paper organization. Not just the lovely problem of organizing your note cards and your envelopes--organizing the important, boring stuff that everyone has and must keep: tax docs, bank statements, etc etc...

My previous system was keeping individual file folders for different years, but that doesn't seem to work and sometimes I can't find certain years (2003--where are you?). I used to own a fiiling cabinet and that was sorta helpful--albeit a little ugly and boring.

An ideal solution would be a piece of furniture that looked like an old library card catalog, but could actually hold all my papers neatly and beautifully. Does that exist?

What are some of your paper organization solutions? I need some tips, stat.

[ Photo via spierzchala]

4 comments:

Donovan Beeson said...

One of the things I desire most in this life is a flat file, or a c file. Checkout www.demco.com But, being that they are heavy and expensive, I currently make do with one of those pidgeon hole cubby type organizer things like they have in teacher breakrooms in schools.

jotter said...

Oooh, thanks Donovan! I've coveted one of those flat filing cabinets before but didn't know what they were called. I'm going to go try and find a cheap(er) one and add it to my wish list!

-a.k.

Anonymous said...

Why not opt for a mail sorting station if you have the room? I think flat files are kind of limiting and, well, too flat for me to pack all of my goods in. The length works well for prints and printmaking supplies but not if you amass a lot of stationery (i work in the industry so this is an issue i am all too familiar with). I would suggest the Mail Sorting Station seen here on School Outfitters but I think you would also do well to create a modified hanging version from peg board and wooden desk trays. That would allow for floor space and still provide organization. Just some thoughts!

jotter said...

Wow Katie, that mail sorting station is the stuff dreams are made of! Alas, I don't have the room for something that big--but you're right. Maybe I can make some kind of modified hanging version.

This definitely gives me some thoughts... thanks!

-a.k.