☘️ Declutter With Me 2021 • Paper Clutter Tips & How To Organise Papers At Home • Paper Organization

☘️ Drowning in paper clutter? Paperwork piled up on your kitchen counters? In this video I'm showing you not just how to declutter papers, but also how to set up and maintain a simple paper filing system.
Declutter with me while I clear out my filing cabinet, explain the rule of thumb when it comes to decluttering paper in the KonMari Method, and answer all your paper organization questions.
Watch the video and then let me know...
What's your biggest struggle when it comes to tackling paper clutter? 💖
⚡️ How to get off junk mail lists in the US: www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles...
⚡️ How to get off junk mail lists in Ireland: www.comreg.ie/industry/postal...
⚡️ How to get off junk mail lists in the UK: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/con...
(For all other places, ask at your local post office.)
⚡️ Additional paper clutter tips: • ☘️ How To Sort Out PAP...
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-- ⭐️ MORE PAPER CLUTTER TIPS ⭐️ --
⚡️ • ☘️ How To Sort Out PAP...
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Thank you for your support, and I hope I can help you get your sh!t together!
Laura

[@crazycroney]

Two words....emergency binder!!! Every document that you would need to restart your life after a fire flood or disaster needs to be in a portable binder in a fire proof safe or bag. I put ours together after we moved to Japan a year after the tsunami. Birth and marriage certificates, passports, ss cards, car and house titles, life ins info, wills, all bank account info. One other thing I did was bought a paper address book and wrote every account user name and password including phone numbers. When we moved it came with us on the plane. When we have tornado warnings it comes with us to shelter in place along with each persons bug out bag with 3 days of food water a change of clothing and extra shoes as well as some other survival items. We did that 3 times in the last 6 month here in Fl. If an emergency were to happen those papers are priceless and would take months to replace. A filing cabinet does no one any good and if the house burns down you are s.o.l

[@HarleyPebley]

5:55 "Clutter is a delayed decision." Wow! I'd not thought of it that way before.

[@tessa6307]

I’m a sentimental paper hoarder. My rule is that anything not worth sticking in a journal or binding into a scrapbook needs to go in the recycling. At the beginning of the year, I sort through my single sheet art and all my sentimental mail from the year prior, and I’ll bind them into little books. I’m way more encouraged to bring those out and look through them, vs keeping them loose in a folder.

[@myminimalchaos]

I love the 1 inch "rule" for getting started. I find piles of paper so overwhelming. THIS was the tip I needed for paper clutter!! The things that seem so simple once you hear it. Thank you! 🤗🍀

[@ChristianAnneSmith]

I think this will help me with the kid sentimental art/ school papers. I am a professional artist for a living and want to keep ALL of my kids art, but also don’t because the pile is so overwhelming. Last week I spent a couple of days folding and sorting and trying to decide which year was which with them in folders by grade. I felt like I might be able to handle it better if I did that. The folders are bursting, not really even foldersBut more like piles now. I think the 1 inch or one folder at a time rule is going to really help me. I might have to do several waves. I’ve been watching Dana from A Slob Comes Clean And some thing she said really hit me. Do you want sentimental stuff to give you a warm fuzzy feeling when you look at it. I think I need to get rid of an amount that shifts the feeling of looking through the papers/art from stressful to warm/fuzzy. That’s what I’m searching for, keeping the amount that feels warm and fuzzy for me. Any thoughts on that? Such a hard area. I am constantly producing my own art papers as well. I am a very prolific artist.

[@meinthemaking7084]

It's unbelievable how quickly paper clutter can spiral out of control. 🙈 I have 3 frames in my hallway to display my gelflings artwork, every time they make something they are proud of it goes on the wall, then as it gets replaced they help decide if it gets filed in their memory boxes or goes to a relative or is recycled. My husband hoards old paperwork & instruction manuals so I got him a filing cabinet for the shed & the amount of spaced freed up was crazy. Dealing with paper clutter is one of the jobs I dread, but shredding it makes it all worthwhile for me 😂 x💜x

[@katiebates7164]

Recently found your channel and I just love you to bits. ♥️♥️ Started paper decluttering yesterday and then here you are today! 😁

[@HowToGYST]

Looks like all those mind-reading lessons I took paid off. 😉 Thank you so much, Katie!

[@JohnFourtyTwo]

I keep manuals in a binder with pocket dividers. Been using this for over 30 years without any problems. Keeps everything nice and neat in one place and not taking up space in a box or folder cabinet. Last year I shredded about 15 large trash bags of paper. It was a lot of old statements, junk mail, and work related documents that I no longer needed. I burned up one shredder in the process but I have a new one and I shred as it comes in if there's no retention needed to keep it. As for immigration type paperwork, I would keep that indefinitely along with birth, marriage, passports, and other documents like that. I like your other ideas and will keep them in mind, thank you.

[@kitdubhran2968]

I just shredded a garbage bag’s worth of papers from my paper monster. You are an inspiration. Now to stuff some of it outside in the planter beds. (Under some other stuff because we don’t want to share that with the entire neighborhood.)

[@ChristianAnneSmith]

Very good video. Just did this the big filing cabinet reorganize last week. Love hearing the prevention measures you have in place. Just starting to deal with massive amounts of sentimental child art/ school papers birth through age 12. Wish me strength!

[@biancahagenberg7471]

Thanks, you just motivated me to get the last 10% of my papers in order. I admit, I could have done it weeks ago already, but some things seem to require a little gentle kick from my favorite youtuber to get done 🦄 So thanks for all the tips, Laura! 💚

[@mariaziarnik6909]

I have just completed my organization of paperwork. It was so freeing! I have a small bin and will add all the bills and each week. The only thing I have kept are my tax bills from 10 years. And this is compressed to two folders in a file box I have in our office closet.

[@shawnaford5540]

I am working through my Health Folder. Entering my notes health records into my electronic health record, and getting rid of the notes or scanning rather than keeping the paper.

[@HowToGYST]

Wonderful! And great to have a record all in one place.

[@jbal6097]

I’m not sure why I watched this...lol...because I actually have my paper under control. I do have two really great tools that help me to keep control of the papers: adobe scan installed on my iPad, and a site called FollowUpThen, which you can use to remind you to do things (like check through the papers once a week). The only permanent papers I have now, are the property deeds and such that require you to keep the paper copy. I scan everything else that I need to “keep”. (Just remember to have a way to automatically back up your computer files). I like to watch your videos. You always show the process and the struggle, which is important in my book. Keep up the good work!

[@HowToGYST]

Oh wow, thank you so much for those brilliant suggestions! Going to look into those apps now.

[@cesileelambert8468]

Very helpful. Thanks. ❤

[@renaparker4579]

Thank you Laura! I love all the tips you give in this video! I needed this one so much! Bless you!

[@AmandaJYoungs]

I could not resist this video (even though I ought to be doing my weekly review)! Paper clutter is like my nemesis!

[@HowToGYST]

It's such a beast because it's never-ending. A constant stream of it coming in.

[@808Blessed1]

Hi Laura!! I hope you’re doing well. I enjoy your decluttering your paper. I am like that too not sure to keep or trash in some of the categories. Thank You for sharing.💜

[@lizmeechan8735]

YOU ARE AMAZING! Thank you so much for your channel! SO helpful and inspiring!!

[@HowToGYST]

Aw, thank you so much, Liz. I'm delighted you found the video helpful. 💖

[@jilliedillie]

Love the Reference file idea for all the miscellany. My favorite way to use a computer spreadsheet is for medical info. Every expense is converted to one line. In the future, it is a super speedy way to answer any question I could have - what will that prescription refill cost me, how long has it been since I had an eye exam, did I have X-rays at the dentist last time, was it paid by insurance or from the HSA, the insurance company has paid its portion so I should expect a bill for this amount from the doctor, etc. And the medical expenditures you need to total for your tax return are all set to be summed up!

[@HowToGYST]

Wow, sounds like you've got an excellent system going! I'm in awe.

[@Luesium]

Is it possible for you to do a blank sheet of this type and link it? I'm having a hard time visualizing it but it sounds amazing!!

[@jilliedillie]

@@Luesium I've created a mock spreadsheet but don't know how to post it here. Basically, as soon as I receive an insurance mailing or medical bill, I convert it to one horizontal row on the spreadsheet. My vertical columns going across are titled Date, Provider, Billed Amount, Applied to Deductible, Paid by Plan, Discount, Not Covered, Amt I Owe, Amt I Paid, Note (why was I there), Payment Method (cash, HSA, credit card). Because the time period from visit to paid bill can be several months, I like that this shows every status - - it's the whole big picture in once place. I only had to pore over (and interpret!) each bill only one time, and then shred it! Soon I will need to know my total out of pocket medical expenses for the tax return - and it is already there in one column, ta da! Let me know if you have more questions.

[@adz5bneweng589]

I love the "Sunday Basket" system for incoming and action items. (Except mine is a monthly basket.)

[@HowToGYST]

Yes, it's a great system. 🙂

[@minimalzebra]

I had help and finally tackled paper because I’ve gone digital with everything you can do digitally. The amount of paper I need to keep is very little.

[@HowToGYST]

Well done!

[@minimalzebra]

@@HowToGYST Thank You!

[@Christineejohnson68]

Hi my burning question is what to do with all the credit card and pre-approved loan offers that we already have piles of. Can they just get thrown away or do they need to be shredded? I remember you saying to tear off the codes and account #s and shred that part but there are soooo many that we want to just throw it all away and not deal with it anymore!

[@HowToGYST]

Personally, I put all those directly into the recycling.

[@adz5bneweng589]

Where would you keep your will?

[@HowToGYST]

With all the ID / certs stuff. And a copy with a lawyer.

[@emma741ej]

Hi what the cabinet you are using for your papers? looks ideal not to officy. thank you in advance.

[@Julies-in-a-mood]

Those are the IKEA “Alex” drawers

[@HowToGYST]

Yup, the Alex drawers. I had a look recently and they didn't have them. Hopefully they haven't stopped making them.

[@nephfey2605]

I look though mine when I'm waiting for the kettle to boil

[@trishtraynor1237]

Do you have a top for now to keep old papers and photos from smelling musty? 💖

[@HowToGYST]

They need to be kept in a completely airtight container. Putting in some baking soda or those silicon gel packets can help absorb any excess moisture. They can also be used if your papers and photos are already musty. They won't reverse any damage but they can eliminate some of the smell.

[@donnamyers839]

How long do I keep my husband's papers after his death. I feel I'm keeping them too long.

[@HowToGYST]

It really depends on what the papers are and why you've been keeping them up to this point.

[@nedf8668]

I have tax returns all the way back to 1986. I think I need to deal with that!

[@HowToGYST]

Probably a good idea. 😉 Think of all the space you'll free up! And less of a fire hazard too.

[@2winlock]

I believe they say to keep only 7 years back and shred the rest!

[@janetr1983]

Too annoying with repeat of info

[@janetr1983]

You repeat yourself too much please

[@roalba8947]

This women is crazy

[@HowToGYST]

Laura. The name's Laura. 🙂

[@oatssettle846]

I love crazy! Laura is full of a wealth of information. She is awesome!