Paper Management: 4-Step System

Step 1: The Inbox Tray

Every paper goes into a single inbox tray. No sorting on arrival. This eliminates "where did I put that" problems. A wire or bamboo tray costs $10–$20.

Step 2: Weekly Processing

Every Friday, empty the inbox. Sort into: act, file, shred, or recycle. 15 minutes maximum.

Step 3: Filing System

Alphabetical filing with hanging folders in one drawer. No complex sub-categories. If a folder exceeds 1 inch, split it.

Essential Folders

• Tax documents (current + 7 prior years)
• Insurance policies
• Property documents
• Vehicle records
• Medical records
• Warranties and manuals

Step 4: Annual Purge

Once yearly, review every folder. Shred expired documents. Move old tax records to archive. This 30-minute ritual keeps the system manageable.