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A stress-free guide to organizing important paperwork and documents

By · Via NPR · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The process begins by sorting visible paperwork into active items needing follow-up and inactive records intended for long-term storage. Active items should be labeled with bold deadlines using sticky notes, while vital papers like passports belong in easily accessible, brightly colored folders. The Federal Trade Commission advises shredding any documents containing sensitive personal data such as account numbers, birth dates, and passwords to prevent identity theft. Sentimental papers can be processed faster by discussing their value with friends or family.

Key points

  • Paperwork systems should be built simply with reusable folders and sticky notes to ensure…: Paperwork systems should be built simply with reusable folders and sticky notes to ensure long-term maintenance.
  • Documents featuring Social Security numbers, account details, passwords, and signatures m…: Documents featuring Social Security numbers, account details, passwords, and signatures must be shredded to prevent identity theft.
  • Discussing sentimental items like old letters with friends or family helps streamline dif…: Discussing sentimental items like old letters with friends or family helps streamline difficult disposal decisions.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

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Got piles of mail by the kitchen island? A closet full of tax documents, product manuals and old love letters? Not sure where your Social Security card is? It's probably time to organize your paperwork and documents.

Life Kit

A stress-free guide to organizing important paperwork

If that fills you with dread, don't worry — Kacy Paide has advice. She's been working as a professional organizer for over two decades, and specializes in helping clients deal with paper clutter.

The key to making the process less overwhelming? Don't feel like you have to rush or organize in a certain way. "You're in control of your paper, and it's up to you how fast you want to get through it," she says.

Start with the nearest pile of paperwork

When getting started on paper clutter, don't worry just yet about what's stashed away in the garage or your office closet. Focus on sorting what's piled up around…

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