The Best Ways To Organize All The Papers Around Your House

Unfortunately, we live in a world that consumes a lot of paper on a regular basis. From bills to junk mail, there is no shortage of papers that may be lying around your house. At some point, these papers will likely pile up and leave an unappealing and disorganized mess. As News GP points out, this unwanted clutter can then leave us feeling stressed out and anxious. In extreme cases, it can also lead to depression. However, it doesn't have to be this way. All you need to do is get these papers cleaned up and organized.

Of course, there are many ways to do this, as everybody has their own technique. Some prefer just throwing everything in the trash without looking back. Yet, others want to invest in a method that's beneficial in the long run. Nonetheless, it's important to get these files cleaned up to take back your space and save your mental health. If this is something you want or need to do but don't know where to start, we have you covered. Here are some of the best ways to organize all the papers around your house.

The most beneficial way to clean up your papers is to set up a filing system. Having a place where you put bills, important documents, or even junk mail is the first step in making your home feel cleaner and more organized. For bills, one option is to organize them into folders based on if you have paid them or not. Oregon State Credit Union recommends throwing away monthly invoices as soon as they are paid; however, you can sort them into their own folder as well. For upcoming bills, you can choose to organize them into the folder by their due date. Put the closest due date in the front and the furthest due date in the back.

For other documents that need to be kept for a longer time, such as bank statements, tax papers, warranties, or even coupons, consider storing these in separate folders. Then, there are documents you should never get rid of, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, or wills. These should be stored in a folder in a secure location, such as a fireproof safe, to keep them from getting lost or damaged. If you end up with a ton of folders filled with papers, you can invest in larger storage options like a filing cabinet. However, it's crucial that if you use this method, you keep up with it. Otherwise, your cabinets will become an unorganized mess as well.

In opposition, the biggest way you can get rid of all of your paper clutter is to go completely digital. Not only does paying bills online save paper, but as NerdWallet points out, it allows for an easier experience as everything is in one place. However, if keeping up with due dates proves to be a complicated task, there are many apps available that can help keep you organized. Many banks can send their statements to you by email or in their app, which also allows for less paper to be used on a monthly basis.

Coupons are another area that can be consumed digitally. According to SpendMeNot, more than half of shoppers prefer to have their coupons sent to them online as opposed to on paper. Not only does this make for less clutter in the home, but it also permits better convenience during shopping trips. In addition, important documents can be uploaded on your electronic device; however, it's still recommended to keep physical copies on hand.

If you choose this method, there are quite a few hacks in the digital world that you can take advantage of. If many of these statements and documents come by email, most services allow you to add personalized tabs, via Cliently. In doing so, you can separate each file into its own folders for more organization. You can also have certain emails sent to the spam folder as well as archive them to get rid of any digital clutter.