The EASIEST Paper Filing System EVER | The Minimal Mom | A Clutter-Free January

[@Nourishingminimalism]

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[@PopereNoel]

you need to keep paper trail for 6 years. so essentially you can scan everything put it by year and month and thats about it ... every year you take the envelope or pile of envelope for the 7th year and toss it in the shreader. since everything is scanned if you need to reference it more than 6 years you have a digital. ideally you can use a filing system like yours so you get like 6-10 envelopes to shred but otherwise if its not current it could easily be dropped in the bin (specially if you scan/photograph it)

[@heartsandmindsathome]

Woahhhh..... can I just say I am mind blown?? A filing system without actually have to flip through file folders... LOVE it! This is more like a "pile sorter" which sounds right up my alley, yay!

[@pamelamolina5623]

YES!!! A pile sorter. I think this could be it! Not complicated

[@terryberg2863]

Your system for handling children's art work is genius! Love the hinged frames and the idea to take a photo of the artwork with the child before purging.

[@amybee40]

That is the cutest little filing cabinet I ever saw!

[@Debbiesdilemmas]

Your son is sooooo cute! He looked so proud of his work.😊❤️

[@kellyswitala8928]

Fantastic ideas! I hate filing, too, but I also don’t like to see my papers. Dropping papers into a drawer seems totally doable for me.

[@NoodlesMusings]

Your little one showing us the photo frame with pictures. Heart melted 😊💛🤗

[@LorreneRomanic]

I wanted to share that I really liked the idea of the drawer system you showed in this video.. and bought one for myself. I have one drawer for tax records and let me tell you - this was life changing! Just having a place that was designated for tax papers made it so simple to drop them in the drawer & forget about them until time to file! Before, I had multiple file folders because I started one & then forgot that I already started one. lol. I no longer have this problem! I like having the other drawers designated for other purposes, but this one is the most helpful so far. 🥳😃💓

[@barbkandel777]

I love the way you handle your children's artwork. That is genius! This will be helpful for many mothers who still have Littles at home. Kudos!

[@Jenatorre]

One does not need to have a child at home to use the hinged frames for artwork. One can use it for display artwork for adults, crafting supplies, and DIY projects.

[@src4409]

The picture frame is a great idea... but I would need about 10 of them. I love seeing my kids' art!

[@dianneelaine8513]

Loved this idea! instead of a filing cabinet I bought a pretty little used 5-drawer cherrywood chest at a thrift store. I keep in the dining room next to the kitchen. It blends right in with 'the dining room furniture, so it's a filing cabinet without looking like one! Works perfectly. Thank you!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

That’s so great Dianne!

[@lindarobbins2921]

I loved all your ideas but my favorite was how you shared slowing down and connecting with our children when they bring us artwork. I never realized that the guilt I felt about getting rid of the artwork they made was actually regret of not savoring the moments with them better. My kids are not little anymore, but I can still slow down and savor the moments. I can also forgive myself for what I didn't do well in the past, and not punish myself by holding onto bins and bins of papers I am too guilty to release. This "stuff" just gets in the way of making more connections with them now. I will take pictures of the artwork they gave me in the past, take a breath, and go make some more connections with them in the present! Thank you for helping me past that hurdle!

[@lmnoyer7569]

I love this idea! I used to pile rather than file. When it was time to clear surfaces (dining table, kitchen counters, coffee tables, etc.), the paperwork just ended up in boxes. I spent 2020 sifting through 20 storage totes full of papers to determine what needs to be saved. I’m down to 5 file boxes after 26 years of marriage and even found stock certificates that I had misplaced in 1998. I’m excited to try your method and am grateful you shared it so early in the year! Thank you so much! -Lorri

[@kimberlyteammartin]

I LOVE the way you're using the filing cabinet. It makes a LOT of sense to me. I plan on doing this very soon! Thank you sooo much for sharing. I appreciate it.

[@Jenatorre]

I love the drawer-filing system! I prefer drawers as well for organization. I use a chest of drawers to store my craft supplies. Perhaps, I could find a similar unit from Amazon for files. Your drawer is cute, simple, and minimal. I will consider using manilla or white mailer envelopes or plastic paper folders to place inside each drawer. Another idea is to use metal magazine holders. I have two white ones from Michaels.

[@marthaspence4167]

I really appreciated seeing this simplified style of filing! Also - the way you talk to and listen to your kids when they're showing you craft projects! Thanks!

[@chalktalkwithshari4173]

Michael’s has a cool 10-drawer cart that is rollable + the drawers can be pulled out or you can use the stops. I bought two in the rainbow color version for my first grade classroom. Each student gets a drawer to organize their Chromebook, charger and earphones. You have helped me realize how useful the plain one would be for home use.

[@iamwatergirl]

Thank you; was wondering where I'd get one

[@heleneasley9530]

I just bought one too for my personal interests. I love it. Right now I’m using it as a sorter for paper clutter to decide personal project categories in rank order from top to bottom in importance if that makes sense. I bought one for my husband too. He likes to pile things on tables as his file system. Hope this works for him

[@southerndigest8996]

I can’t imagine an easier system for papers! It’s genius!!! I wish I had found this video a loooong time ago-but I’m so glad I’ve seen it now! Thank you!! (I almost wish I still had kids at home so I could do the artwork idea. I’ll definitely be passing the idea along to my kids, though.)

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Those hinged frames are GENIUS!

[@dianasimplifies]

I have an accordion file. Once it gets full I go thru and get rid of stuff. Usually holds 6 mos of whatever I think I *might* need. Important stuff goes into the fire safe. Passports, car titles etc. The new thing I’m doing is throwing away all receipts after the credit card statement comes in and I check them off. I was keeping every receipt which is crazy. Now I only keep a few WM receipts in case I need to return something.

[@jessicabulloch5302]

A child's artwork is their token of love to us, it's a gift . Thank you for sharing Rachel, you always encourage me!

[@ciannacoleman5125]

Love the hinged frame idea!

[@jom6320]

You handle filing great as well as kids art work. Kids do want to feel they have created something special. Your little boy is very sweet reminds me of my grandson he makes pictures too always likes a hug.

[@ymh1683]

Brilliant. I also love the drawer filing system. I love the way you put things in the envelope at the end of the year, though. I think I’ll do that!!

[@kimski5391]

Thank you! this is a much better system! :) I have a filing cabinet with 30 files I would like to downsize.... like group things together...monthly bills I pay versus having 5 files to put back in cabinet, and the house, auto, liability insurance(3 more files) and medical all in one drawer I like this. Tax stuff as well. PERFECT!!!🤩Thank you!

[@bronwyntully6058]

THANK YOU! Best type of filing system for me, as I only have one adult child who is totally fed-up with my 'messy' table. I will no longer be worried about it when he comes to visit.

[@pamelamueller538]

I think that this is my absolute favorite system for paperwork! Kids art as well! Thank you for sharing!

[@deborahaustin458]

I LOVE the way you handle your children’s artwork!! Brilliant!

[@karenlepley2432]

I love your hinged picture frame idea. I never heard of them, but will have to look them up. Also, the photo of the child with art is a great idea!!! Thanks so much!

[@marybonelli9284]

LOVE the Hinged Picture Frames for the kids artwork!

[@marysusa6985]

Great paper system. I especially love the way you spend time with your children when they bring their artwork home to you. Very sweet.

[@leticiaurbach6817]

The video I was looking for. Thankyou.

[@leigha8131]

I love your way of dealing with kid’s artwork. It makes what you keep much more special. My daughter’s art is the one area of paper clutter I haven’t been able to wrangle, so I’m definitely going to try this! My filing system is a lot like yours, just looks a bit different. I use a three ring binder and clear sleeves for the important and often used documents. Everything else either goes into the trash/recycle/shredder or the “inbox”. (It’s a little bigger than a large shoebox. If it’s something I’m not sure if I should keep, I just put it there). The first week of every January, I empty it out and reassess everything. Most ends up in the trash. Whatever we do keep goes into a file labeled for that year. Then I pull out the file from 3 years ago and reassess all of those papers. I have one filing box for all of my past years files. Most things we don’t keep past 3 years, though we have some documents we keep for 7 and a small file for “forever” docs. I also have a special Manila envelope near the inbox for any tax documents for that year. It has significantly improved the paper mess around the house. I also try to deal with all paper as it comes into the house, so it doesn’t have a chance to pile up. Really, having limited places where paper is “allowed” is really helpful.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Nice system! I agree- having the place that paper is "allowed" is important.

[@sandyseibelhager7131]

I really like the drawer idea. I think I will give that a try. I'm keeping my titles and birth certificates in a fireproof box though.

[@davelewisohio]

Someone I used to work with called chronological stacks of papers an “archeological file” 😁 They work pretty well all in all!

[@kelseyd4196]

Ummm... hinged frames????? That is DEFINITELY genius! I'll will be looking for these asap and I can't wait to implement them! Such a pain taking photos, artwork etc out of a typical frame. I ❤ this tip! Thank you so much!!!

[@amyt9375]

What a little cutie! Thanks for sharing. My best idea is to have 12 file folders, one for each month, and keep the stuff in there for upcoming months. I keep the birthday cards, a list of everybody's birthdays, lab orders for upcoming visits, etc. I got that from Getting Things Done.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Great tip! Thanks. 😁

[@cherylbrash]

I had something like this when I was a Secretary - a tickler system with files numbered by the day of the month. It was good for an office. I probably could do it now with today, tomorrow , next week, next month- but like with any system it needs maintenance . Haha. The older I get the more I am simplifying.

[@janlefever607]

I am so disorganized in paper clutter Thank you for your video,

[@tiffanytempleton2201]

I love the frames!!! I bought 4...one for each of my kiddos...thank you! 💕 I also take my favourite pictures and use them as dividers in my binders. This was a great video!

[@elizabethlehman7375]

This sounds like just what I need! Something about putting things into traditional files...I just avoid it for so long that it becomes overwhelming!

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

I aspire to Marie Kondo's solution for papers, which is basically to throw them all away. Most paperwork is inessential and could not possibly spark joy. I still have a long way to go though. Until i can get comfortable shredding it all, i am using broad categories, which makes filing far less painful than the overly detailed categories i used to use.

[@vivianhudacek1556]

A very helpful video! I love that little filing cabinet! Paper is the absolute bane of my existence! I have so much paper, despite decluttering a bunch already. For 40+ years I was an English teacher. At my college office, I had 6 filing cabinets FULL of papers I used & needed for my work. I taught a host of different courses & gave tons of hand-outs. I’ve eliminated a great deal but have loads to go after retiring a number of years ago. Too, I am very sentimental & have saved papers from when I was in grade school. I like your piling/filing system. Thanks for another good video, Rachel.

[@Waldensmama]

I love the way you handle your kids' art. I wish I'd thought of that when my kids were younger. One of my last things I have yet to declutter is the "memory tub", which is everything from the outfits they came home from the hospital in, to the artwork we kept. It's a guilt box, LOL. I keep my car titles and birth certificates in a fire safe. I used to work at a bank and have a couple of banker envelopes that I use for current stuff like bills and checkbooks, and that works for us, but I love the drawer system for everything else. This is something I'd actually use.

[@janego2018]

I read about your system on your blog back in the days (at least 5 ys ago). Adapted this system for our taxes, as we can pay taxes as late as 4ys later, and this system totally works for us with those 4y-long active papers! Also those frames we have, now that we have kids. Such great ideas of yours, thank you! PS. We do binders for everything else, either by topic or by person, and it's such a stress-free, translucent and easy to reference system. For active papers I recently discovered the Sunday Basket.

[@rachelmontgomery3889]

This is a great system. We’ve downsized from a full filing cabinet to one file drawer in a desk (longer term medical, tax documents, vehicle maintenance records, school report cards and awards, real estate documents, etc.) and a 5 slot IKEA wall file with files for the current year (larger purchase receipts, school info, coupons, postal supplies medical & dental documents). I need to clear out the wall file and thin it out for 2021..going to set a 15 minute timer to do that now. :)

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Oh that sounds great Rachel!

[@cherylbabcock4531]

Good advice❣️

[@annem1123]

Great ideas for acknowledging kids and handling their artwork.

[@anitabeaudoin5624]

Love how you deal with your kids and their artwork!

[@lizellehattingh281]

I love the way you think! So simple yet so practical, my children are all grown up but I will definitely be sharing your idea about the picture frames and photographs and then letting go, well done on a great channel

[@carmadariacompaniona4181]

Anything that I can do in 5 minutes or so, I do. That includes paying bills (online) and scanning documents. I then shred the paper. So, I don't use 'physical' organizers for these sorts of documents. I have a plastic file folder for receipts (in case I need to return things), another one for memory things that can't be scanned, and another one for things that take longer than 5 minutes to do. Important documents are in my fireproof safe. I have scanned all photos and have given the originals to family members (as well as electronic copies). Voila! I love how you deal with your children's art!

[@sandramatos6409]

This sounds very logic. There is a category I keep which is warranties… the other is deeds and legal docs, like a living will, health records etc.

[@PHamm54]

The hinged frame idea is great! Wish I’d known that when I had kids!

[@RVthereyetmemaw]

I have a notebook, with page protectors in it, with all our important documents, an in a fire safe. I like your idea about the mail that come in, I need to work on that...

[@GradKat]

Very good filing system, and I love what you do with the children’s artwork. Good tips - thank you!

[@terribrooks9041]

Ok I wish I could have a lot of do overs to connect better over my children's artwork. I did ok but I sure wish I would have given more hugs and had them talk more about the pictures. I am 62 now and I have saved some artwork from each of my two boys from their school years that fit into a nice file folder organizer and that was all!

[@ilianagonzales1296]

what an eye opener is your video thank you for sharing your tips!

[@SimplyBeautiful516]

Oh my gosh. Brilliant ideas for kids artwork! 🤯

[@cararevelscrittenton806]

Thanks for the tips I wish I had though of the Artwork idea when my 6 kides were little , NEW SUB

[@thetreasureinthefield]

The artwork scene made me tear up 🥲 so amazing. A great idea also

[@jessieelliott3157]

Love the kids artwork ideas and really love the blue artwork with the dog above your couch. Very bright and cheery.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Thanks Jessie! 😊

[@ClaritySinger]

I'm a mom of 6, too. Kudos to you! And thanks for making your journey so relatable!

[@Carol-br3bd]

Love the art work frames...and the art work....also taking a picture with you child and the art work...Great idea...

[@SimplyBeautiful516]

I’m just in awe of this system!!!!!

[@keyisme1356]

When I was reimagining my office space last year, I put that drawer organizer on my list!! I hate to file things (can never find things later anyway), but drawers aren't so bad. But I keep more papers than you... So I might need several... And that's pricey... So I am still decluttering paper before I purchase drawers like these. (I'm also worried that my kids will dump out the drawer contents.) I also have 3 ring binders, for things I like stored in chronological order. Like vehicle maintenance receipts, doctor visit summaries, And what I do in my garden each year. Right now, I have hanging file boxes on the wall for incoming inbox, mail, ads, and to-do. I have a small portable hanging file for school paperwork, "time will tell", shred, this year's receipts, this year's taxes, and anything I'm researching before purchasing... "Current project" per se. I have a 3 drawer cart for my kids school work, which we go through at the end of the school year. I keep a couple items for their scrapbook, they keep a few things they love for a few weeks, and the rest is a hotdog roast. I love the manila envelope idea. I have had tax files get lost temporarily because they slid out of the edge of a manila folder in a filling cabinet.

[@iamwatergirl]

I can relate to this system!!!

[@cruisepuppy]

Great video! Although I'm generally a very neat and organized person, papers are a never-ending battle! You've given me some great ideas and motivated me to not only KILL the growing paper pile, but to put a system in place to keep it from growing back! Also - I LOVE the idea for the art picture frames for the kids! I'm going to order one for each of my grandkids for Christmas this year and fill it with some art supplies. Fun for the kids, and I think their parents will love and appreciate it, too!

[@ERICA850]

I am going to try this system again. I got sucked into the Sunday basket and now it's mess. Things get lost in there

[@shellyjay8954]

I too failed at the Sunday basket. I just ordered the 6 drawer cabinet from Ikea. I am totally going to go through my boxes of papers and useless drop in files and start using the simple drawers.

[@betholeary6815]

Love this system

[@thehappinessinbetween8278]

Wow! Great ideas, thank you again... you are so encouraging to me on my journey to a simpler life... Thank You!!!

[@sandywilliamson4435]

Love the way you thoughtfully handle children’s artwork!

[@mplotusflower]

Love the hinged frame! Brilliant!

[@gayleritter1199]

Genius frames, wish I had known about these when my kids were young.

[@janetrhein3697]

Brilliant!!! I absolutely love the kids art display!!! Two big thumbs up!!!

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Thanks so much 😊

[@fwebster6226]

Love your filing system AND the hinged frames

[@lfuentes4098]

I love the hinged frame idea. My kids are teens and I’m finding myself going through the momentos and throwing lots away. It’s overwhelming. But I feel less detached to certain things now.

[@AdrianaMartinez-zq7bw]

Awesome! That couch though🛋😱😬

[@berna_emec]

I can relate!

[@mdbontrager]

Oh, Wow! I love this simple system!

[@nelsanderson1726]

Thank you. I needed help.

[@susannebrule3160]

I would like to find a cabinet like that. Thank you that's a good idea.

[@CarolineEDoner]

Thank you so much for all the valueable advice!! I hope to buy my boys some art frames soon!!

[@tg3609]

Lots of great ideas! I enjoy your videos very much.

[@ColettaDesign]

What a cutie pie your son is.

[@marialysenko1609]

Thank you for what you do! I love your Facebook group!

[@nancynurse4552]

I am a Sunday Basket user with binders for long term and reference. We do not keep physical tax documents; we keep digital copies which are acceptable to the IRS. Our long term storage of papers are contained in one 3 inch binder which has our important documents such as birth certificates and such. Everything is stored digitally in the cloud. In an emergency, we can grab that binder. If our home should be destroyed such as by fire when we are not at home, we have access to everything in the cloud until we can obtain new copies. We move frequently. Often across the country with little notice for my career (I get head hunted). I have no desire to move papers. We have even digitized ALL of our photos. The only paperwork we have that would be detrimental to loose would be some of my professional certifications and continuing education. These are all in one binder do also backed up digitally.

[@shannontorrens1]

Great ideas here! Thank you for sharing 💛

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Thank you Shannon ❤️

[@lkreinmiller-author]

I LIKE IT!!!

[@jenjenssewingpile]

Wow! You have such a great system. I love your ideas and the way they function. I have found someone to follow that I can relate to. Thank you for sharing what works for you and now me❣

[@veraandralph]

Awesome system for your children’s artwork! Love your process!

[@joeseatat]

Aw, I loved the compassion for child's artwork. My mom did look at my artwork and compliment it, but it was my responsibility to store it...but I never learned how. I had a lot of drawings...like drawer-fulls. Your system will give them life skills for the future. My only issue is...a lot of my artwork was on various nonstandard paper sizes. I wonder if there's a solution to that.

[@Kath-Erina]

I've made a big wood frame 80x50cm and wrapped three strings across it horizontally. I have three kids and each kid has their own string. With little wooden clothes pins they can hang their artwork in the frame on their string. And if the string is full and they want to habe some more, they get to decide which one should be replaced. Also different size arts are no problem with that system as long as they don't cover each other up. That way there is only one hole in the wall to hang the big frame and you see all their artwork they are proud to display! Works great for us :)

[@janetaugustyn1397]

OMG! I have been stuck on filing for years, THANK YOU for this video. I am going to look for drawers immediately.

[@dotsyjmaher]

Fantastic..thanks much easier than struggling but simple!

[@paulat5921]

Great advice. Thank you.

[@brendamcelyea1246]

Simply brilliant!

[@lisavaith8304]

These are great ideas!!!! Thanks for sharing!!! 🙌🙌👍👍😊💜

[@jenniferjanes1589]

Great video. This is a big problem for me too.

[@julieparker9813]

Love the drawer system 🥰. It seems really simple.

[@lisaann6267]

you were talking so fast in this, i've watched 4 times & and still need to take notes. lo like you were so nervous even being next to it made you nervous & rush through it. 🤗🤗🌻🌻🌿🌿 have a blessed 2024.

[@Nourishingminimalism]

Find the PAPER CLUTTER Playlist (Clutter-Free January Series) here: kzbin.info/aero/PLZ-AWUEixtg3VZITHr2IKP0ehgdOfca5t

[@TheKatiness]

Ltd commodities has those hinged frames.

[@fatemakw9990]

Love the idea of drawers. Going to try that out! Thanks!