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Backstory – Filing
I’ve had careers that always involved administration. I had to keep files and pull files and make files available. It was one of the most difficult tasks for me to conquer. You would think that computerization would have solved my filing challenges. No way! They get lost in the computer as easily as they disappeared in the filing cabinet.
I envisioned that a major benefit of retirement would be – no more files. Then I found out about all the paper work involved with Medicare, IRAs, activities of grandchildren and keeping track of birthdays and other celebrations of relatives and friends.
Hear about my filing adventures and strategies in this week’s story.
Consider This Show – Filing
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Has anyone figured out a good way to file papers? I am very good at filing. Putting papers away. What I can’t seem to master is FINDING THEM AGAIN when I want to get them back out.
I remember a rule of filing. You eliminate everything that is redundant. For instance: If you were filing something for the US Department of the Interior. You would not file under U for US because you might have a lot of US stuff. You would not file under D for Department because you might have a lot of departments.
You would file under I for Interior and then add – US Department of. OK, that sounds simple.
Now where do I file the plumber’s invoice? In the house file? The plumber’s file? Alphabetically under his company name? His name?
Maybe I should just do what my guy does. One large box into which goes every paper that passes through his hands. Receipts, letters, solicitations, reunion notices, discount coupons. All in the box.
What do you think? Is it better to spend the time filing them away in an organized manner? Or spend the time finding them amongst a myriad of jumble when you need them?
If I had to keep score, I’d say that each method, for us anyway, takes the same amount of time. The only difference is that he does not get to have cool rules like – Interior, US Department of.
[Show # 334]
I am starting to see the wisdom of his style, Jill. Especially when I go to empty files and find just what you said – Nothing of value in there!
My father had bins marked on the outside for each project or story. Today’s “stuff” went on the top of the pile. When the bin was full to overflowing, he’d take the bottom handful out, glance quickly through it to be certain there was nothing really important, and throw that handful away! By that point, that stuff was no longer “news.” He rarely filed anything – if it was really important, it got acted upon immediately, not saved for “later.” I like Bill’s approach because 95 percent of thdstuff we file is never needed. Cheers!