This ONE THING helped me to ELIMINATE PAPER CLUTTER // Clutter Free January - Declutter with me

[@brendajones9467]

I'm the worst with paper. Over the Christmas holiday I tested positive for COVID with mild symptoms. I had a lot of time on my hands and no where to go and am proud to say I got ALL my shredding done and so far have been keeping up on it. Wish me luck for the months to come :)

[@jennifergottschalk2467]

My husband I bought a small fire proof box to place the SSS cards and birth certificates in just in case. We also stopped paying to cable our bill kept going up each month over $200 and more each month when he had been paying a set amount every month was told the bill was late and fee was charged when it was always paid before the due date. We purchased Amazon Fire Stick you get alot of channels plus you can get subscription services for channels you most watch. we pay onty $20.00 for Philo. Thank You Jia for sharing to de-clutter you have given me some more ideas.

[@533134]

Paper is my nemesis! I just cleaned out 8 binders that were full of papers from my high school and college years (6 years) and only have a half binder left!

[@kthename08]

I need to do this! 😞

[@dancingdivazriooo]

How long did it take?

[@oliviapowell5064]

“AT&T & DirectTV like to play games” 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😅 yes they do!

[@joyd4238]

i love your method, its relatable to me. im an organized filer also, especially the medical🙄. I know about those companies that like to play games, medical among the ones you mention. keeping them records has proven to be important. I think this video is awesome and informative to anyone and i recommend it to be a great starting point for someone getting started on this responsiblity journey of adulting, marriage or just getting organized in their life. I need a paper copy (of everything) i do better hands on and not on a digital device viewing documents. Thanks for sharing💖

[@jbrand255]

Yes! Finally someone who likes paper copies! I don't trust the internet to keep my files and I don't have a computer to just print a copy "real quick" if I need to show proof of something either. I may look into the freedom filer system.

[@susangoslin8120]

Yes! I am 100% with you. I see the need to keep important papers physically. I am in the process of setting up a freedom filer system. It was so great to see how it is working for you.

[@sheribrooks8205]

Years ago, I put myself and my husband on the Do Not Call List...that includes phone and mail communications. When you prevent as much as possible from coming in, it's waaay easier to prevent the paper pile-up.

[@kthorne918]

I am the QUEEN of paper clutter. I was audited one year.... and boy they asked for things that I didn’t have handy. Let’s just say that it has mentally destroyed me because I’m always afraid to get rid of papers now. I have several bags and boxes full of papers that I honestly haven’t looked in over ten years. LoL But seeing this video makes me want to try this system. Thanks for sharing. ☺️

[@angelaalbert7598]

I just got the Fujitsu ScanSnap scanner, you could look into something like that so can keep the documents but not the paper clutter.

[@jays350]

I ditched the filing method and I now use the Evernote app to scan any paper work I want to keep and throw out the paper copy immediately that day. Now I pay my bills, scan it and archive it in Evernote (still only use the free version) . At the drop of a hat I can find any bill, recipet, warranty on my phone. It's the best!

[@traceyrussell8365]

Girl.. I prefer to have my bills mailed to me too! Some I pay online and a few others i mail.. my problem is trying to figure out when to throw it in the trash. I swear I have bills in a file that are 10 years old.. I’ve just got to stop and have enough time to go thru all of them! 👍 video!

[@Chicago48]

That's too much bill saving. You can always get a copy from the company. But you might want to get a scanner or a desktop scanner software and scan your receipts and bills.

[@theoriginalmamivibez1298]

Get rid of the bills after seven years. KEEP YOUR PAPER COPIES BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THESE SYSTEMS WILL CRASH.

[@dobycorder3206]

tracey russell I hear you on wanting a paper trail! I like her filing system. I have something similar. I have one yearly accordion file where my bills and statements, and even insurance, go for that month. Makes it easy to file so paper doesn’t pile up. I don’t touch that again unless there’s a problem. In January I pull them all out. Most utility bills and receipts I can trash at that point. I keep unresolved medical bills and bank statements in case I need them for taxes. I keep some of December bills/ statements in case there’s a problem in the next couple months, but pull anything needed for taxes and put in a separate folder for that year. The rest go in a single big envelope labeled Monthly bills for ( that year). Now it’s an empty yrly file folder again. I can trash/ shred the previous year monthly bills envelope. And, if I come across an envelope that’s older than that, I know I can trash it. It takes a bit of time in January... it’s a project... but try to get to it after holiday decor is put away. I still have other paper piles that I have to learn to deal with! Lol. Investments are a big problem as I am not sure when to trash those statements.....sigh.

[@jmo5186]

OK, hall of shame here, I have bills circa 1992. I think that I can get rid of that decade now, and then maybe a few years more.

[@ggshandsomeboy5103]

Great tips! I have the dreaded piles of bills, notices, manuals, graded homework, junk mail, work documents, catalogs, shipping invoices, and warranties. There's a paper shedding event near me this weekend. Hooray!

[@booklover0924]

I love the filing system, it seems maintainable. I’m trying to go paperless on as much as I can because I’m not good at maintaining files. Paper clutter is definitely a struggle with me! Dawn has a dialed down Sunday basket that I will probably use for everyday mail and maybe something like this for taxes and regular files.

[@newcreationcoachingllc6491]

Thank you for explaining the Freedom Filer so simply! Have it, but not yet implemented!

[@LordsPrayerBear]

Yes! Wait for the EOB (Explanation of Benefits) and match up with bill before paying!!! I agree completely. I have saved a lot not paying billing errors.

[@toughassdeebo]

Definitely gotta 👀 The Cable and phone company lol

[@MarriageMotherhood]

They try to get over.....a lot!

[@theoriginalmamivibez1298]

I like to keep my paper copies too because you never when the system will crash and they will try to say they don't have a record of you paying 🤦 These people play too many games.

[@TurtleMom23]

Hey! Over here from Frugal Fit Mom. I love the Freedom Filer! I've been using it for several years, even though I'm a Ladybug (thank you, Cass from Clutterbug). I actually have my files in two different filing cabinets, but they are both in the same office. Love, love, love it! New subscriber! :)

[@MarriageMotherhood]

Hi👋🏾 Thanks for watching!

[@sandyb34]

I'm a macro filer so big categories. Like a bin, big. We pay the bills and stick them in a drawer. LOL I despise filing but I can toss papers into a drawer. At the end of the year, we go through the drawer to see what we need to keep for tax purposes and shred the rest. Medical bills and EOBs go in a folder in my command center/action file/Sunday basket so I can match them up. You totally need to keep an eye on cable and phone companies for sure! Love your videos!

[@sunflower7766]

I was the same as you I had plastic bags of paperwork stuffed in a cupboard and when I needed to find a particular document it was a nightmare and I was forgetting to action something. So now I have a spot in my kitchen where those papers sit until I action them as it's a visual reminder. Once done I have a folder in a cupboard above that space where it goes. Once every 6 months I file it into my long term file. Doing this every 6 months works as we are mainly paperless now. I know where important papers are and also I don't forget to action anything.

[@prosperity51]

Paper clutter has taken over!!!! Right now I'm stuck with what to do with important documents that aren't bills. I tend to get rid of the bills once their paid but there have been times when I needed the old bill. So I'm going to order the freedom filer and a bankers box. Thanks for the video

[@jeanettethiessen2476]

I like to keep paper copies as well...We notified our post office that we don’t want flyers so most unaddressed ad mail stays away. I am bad at keeping up with filing but I do keep my stack neatly in one place of my office and I get through it eventually...one step at a time.

[@nancymeister4803]

I have a binder I keep banking in for the year, then box it for the next 6 years. My husband puts his statements back in one envelope that it came in after I reconcile it so at years end he has ONE envelope. Impressive. :) Mail we do each day. Flip through a magazine, toss it. Thank you and stay safe!

[@karenshaffer1511]

Freedom Filer fan here! I love it - it can be as complex or as simple as you wish.

[@stephaniejackson3021]

The paper pile up is REAL! My husband is the one that handles the bills in our house. Organizing is not his strong suit. Maybe if I implement something like this it will help him. Thank you for sharing your system I really love it!

[@arty04]

Finally someone to help me organize my papers after i requested many requests from other youtubers

[@elizabethlangheim7214]

Good point on medical bills. I have received multiple wrong bills over the years.

[@adrianafuentes9047]

Love it! I keep a file folder with all of our important documents, social cards, birth certificate, etc in case of an emergency I can just grab and go.

[@jodi9295]

Hey, I like your filing system. The even and odd year files make sense. I didn't know what to do about medical papers and I like your idea about that too. Thanks.

[@EricaLucasLoves]

Yes! I used to deal with paper when I was fed up with the piles, too. Having a system helps.

[@77DGILES]

My process is similar to yours as well. I toss junk mail daily or weekly. I don’t receive any paper bills, bank statements, credit cards, retirement plan. I am able to retrieve electronic statements very easy. My tax paperwork, similar to you is kept in a file by year. Marriage license, passports and life insurance policy is also filed. Warranty’s, bills for major home repairs I also file. But I am considering scanning this information. Going electronically, requires passwords, usernames, etc, which also needs to be easily retrieved. I keep on my computer, in a excel file.

[@grammytammy3535]

Wonderful filing system!!! That was how I did it before my hubby took it over. His system is crazy to me, but that's up to him! 😀

[@Brandie-12345]

I scan the monthly statements that come in the mail and then shred. Many are online so I just download the pdf and have folders for each bill by year. I do eventually scan and shred insurance and 401k. Nice and easy for us.

[@brittanymariep]

I feel you! I definitely only keep what I know I can’t find online. Everything else is shredded immediately.

[@curtskitten]

I use to save all of my bills. Now when I get my new bill showing I paid the previous amount and it's the correct amount, I shred the previous month & keep the new one till the next bill is due. I also like to see my bills & don't like emails. Only bill I pay from my account is my car payment because it's the same every month so no bill necessary. I definitely keep anything related to taxes. When I first started going thru papers I had receipts for 15 years! I decided to shred everything that was past any refund time and any receipt with a warranty was attached to the warranty and filed till that expired. I hate paper clutter because it was sooo hard for me to get a handle on it. Work in progress. I've started sending junk mail back to the company asking them to remove me with their free envelope. 🤣

[@vo9176]

Jia I love your channel. Thanks for sharing your life and family, including the extended. The holidays were fun 💜 Sigh - paper clutter is overwhelming. Thanks for the recommendation - I'm going to look into it. BTW - you are every bit as fabulous as the others in the group. Blessings💖

[@panacheluxury4262]

I love your system of organizing bills and other important documents. The thing I do not like is having several.piles of papers in various parts of a room knowing at some point I am going to have to go through those piles to put things away. Now, that is anxiety, lol.

[@stephaniegraf3981]

Jia! You're looking awesome! Love your real life videos.

[@blkmamba]

I follow you for keto but this is the video I didn't know I needed to see. Thank you!

[@nicholetutt82]

I have learned not to pay my medical bills until i get my EOB. My favorite part is when the EOB tell me not to pay the differences to my providers.

[@sunshineeh1555]

I completely understand. I so have to get a hold on my paper clutter.. I like to look at my bill too.. thanks for the video..Ughhh

[@racheldevenish6004]

I pay bills right when I get them also. And currently watching this while shredding a bunch of old stuff from the last 7+ years

[@06Joybells]

🤍🤍I’ll have to try the Freedom Filer because I already have those same multi colored hanging files. I do the same thing you do. I address the mail daily. I also have a small filing bin for new mail bin, an urgent mail bin. a journal entry bin and a ready to be mailed out bin before things are ready to be filled for the year too.

[@simonethach7134]

I automated everything but we still got junk mail 😩. Junk mail goes to trash right away anything else goes in basket. I go thru the basket once a week I put pen and stamp and envelope in the basket. If I paid something with a check I'll write the date and amount on envelope once it's taken out of my checking account I'll trash it....if I need to track down something I can get a copy thru online banking. I scan and keep all our important documents in one binder. So our only paper clutter is that small basket. I got my system down I love it less work 😂.

[@nicolajane1980]

All my bills are online & most are set up on direct debit here in the U.K. the rest I pay online before the due date so I just have a little budget book with a monthly calendar to track it all we are encouraged to be paperless & I just prefer that now as I don’t get much paper mail now just happy mail :)

[@annelynnepengelly7753]

I LOVE YOU! You tell it like it is! Your suggestion/solutions are great! Thanks so very much! ❤️😊

[@dianezabka4090]

I love the freedom filing system you use...will be ordering one soon!

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

Thanks for explaining the Freedom Filer!

[@salamarinita]

I like to keep most paper bills but I think I'm goiong to make the utilities digital. I don't really need to check those. However I definitely keep the bank statements so I can work on my monthly budget. November/December are months where I have more than normal spending but then all the other months I can predict what I'm spending and if I see something unusual, I can refer back to a bill. Somehow my debit account has been hacked twice and I had to change my debit cards twice in the last 2 years. I'm a paper girl for sure. Just shred every year!

[@tonyahenry4167]

The thing about mail and paper clutter is addressing it as soon as it comes in

[@salonsavy6476]

Hi Jia,, I keep the paper bills for a year and then shred them ,, 👍

[@salonsavy6476]

I find that having kids that being home projects and crafts really contributes ,, I only keep a selected few ,,

[@becomingbrooke9339]

AT&T......😂😂. Get’em, girl!!!💪🤪😂

[@jenniferjackson4980]

Thank you so much for this deuttering video. I have some of the same issues that you had. I will be ordering that system to help me get it together. Thanks again!

[@gracethroughlife2996]

Thank you for sharing. This is so helpful for me. I've been constantly searching for ways to keep up with mail and items that need filing. I'm going to try this.

[@Catt-q2c]

Very similar system to yours! I do have our birth certificates and marriage licenses and things in a fireproof safe however - makes me too nervous just having them in a file folder.

[@ashlynthomas-smith2445]

Love this! I do something similar. I am so like you, I don’t like e-bills and statements lol I want to see and touch my stuff. There’s certain ones that I keep e-bill but other than that majority come to me in the Mail. Thanks for sharing ! As we continue to grow our family I’ll definitely look into this system.

[@budgetrebelgoals]

So needed this.. Thanks for the ideas!!

[@MarriageMotherhood]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@snguyen442]

This is great content organizing crucial files - thank you for sharing!

[@susannaharget509]

Love ya, girl--great tips--thanks!

[@Mysticsoul77]

I was wanting to get the freedom filer system. I found with having statements online, I don't need so much space. I was able to fit almost everything into our fireproof safe. Unfortunately it won't fit our legal size mortgage paperwork. Their is a fireproof document bag for that.

[@renealynnmn]

I scan everything with my android phone. Once a week I go through and save them all to a file on my computer, then that file is saved to the cloud. So I have double copies and then I THROW OUT the paper! The only thing I do keep is IRS, TAX Documents.

[@jbrand255]

How do you scan with your Android phone?

[@renealynnmn]

@@jbrand255 Open camera on Android. Place paper print side up on counter. You will see a yellow box go around the paper as you move your phone to adjust Tap to scan. It will save in your gallery and you can name it and move into a separate folder from there.

[@jbrand255]

@@renealynnmn I will try that, thank you!

[@taradevito6751]

2nd one who has mentioned this system I may have r to check it out!

[@lkreinmiller-author]

Just FYI re: online - I am paperless, but I turn my online bills into PDFs and keep them in folders on my iPad. The best of both worlds for me. 😎

[@2twinnana442]

I also want paper backup. So much easier to find what you need. You and I also do our EOB'S the same way. Actually, so many things are alike. I am 2 mos behind plus tax stuff coming in. I did like some of your systems. But girlfriend, I'd have to make sub files on the red ones. My occasional OCD would drive me crazy, with the papers sticking out ! 😆 Good job attacking the clutter !

[@MarydToKeto]

Very cool!! I appreciate u sharing ur tips!

[@cate5029]

Thank you for all the helpful hints!

[@nyc10037]

Honestly, I need to revamp my filing system. I like keeping my billing, to remind me that I paid it and any donations I make, I have a copy At the end of the year, I shred it up.

[@ninabryant8471]

I do a mix of paper and online. My monthly bills are online. Medical bills are paper because of the issues you mentioned. I can not throw away coupons - and I never use coupons! I bet I have 5 bed bath & beyond coupons on my kitchen island.

[@Mommysodes]

1 big mind shift I recently had has to do with over storing docs... 'over save' if that's a word. But now, I only save the doc if theres ABSOLUTELY no other way to get the info I need.. that has cut down my paper clutter. I do online statements EXCEPT for bills that don't come monthly like store cards I don't use often or tax bills.

[@karlenah10]

I use freedom filer and also love it!! Love your channel 💕

[@niccolethomas4591]

Glad i found this channel!!!

[@renitas.7973]

Just shredded a bunch of old documents today at the recycle center. While doing that, I was thinking there has to be a better way. TFS

[@GoingGreenMom]

Not well! Lol. Finally got brave enough to tackle paper again..... It reduced by half last time, but I didnt implement any habits. Trying to figure out what I need, and I like your filing system..... Although I did go online for bills. How long do you keep the medical stuff? That is my biggest question mark right now.

[@kellief8611]

Thank you for sharing - this filing system is such a good idea!

[@jillgodfrey8445]

I too keep most paper bills for one year and I shred them after one yr

[@Kay-fv7cw]

I have issues with paper, but I don't keep monthly statements because I can go online or call to request an old statement if needed. I'm trying to declutter paper and organize it.

[@justcece9082]

I have a binder system use to keep track of my rent payments i don't pay my rent online. I also keep track of my student loans payments i don't pay online either. My electric bill online when the next comes in I'll shredded it. Any warranties I would put it in a binder.

[@kelleytrapasso6712]

i moved boxes of paper when we moved, my worst habit

[@leahfischer5264]

👍🏼🙌🏼AMEN SISTA..still is a problem!

[@Crazychickenlady-yd3kn]

I like to have my paper copies also!

[@cierrasimpson116]

I love all of your videos!

[@MarriageMotherhood]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@06Joybells]

Me too. I love Sunday Set Up, Keto Vlogs, Costco Time, Holiday cooking, budgeting and decluttering !!!

[@CheB607]

I just purchased a paper shredder so I can get rid of some of the paper I started hoarding lol great organization

[@DearDebt]

Ahhh paper clutter is one of my weak areas. I tend to just shove the paper in my desk 😭🤯

[@LexdominiQue]

That comment about At&t was nothing but the TRUTH! they're so Sneaky lol 🤣🤣🤣. they will get you for every penny if you aren't watching

[@MyMaxKitty]

Those plastic file folder tabs!! I cannot locate ones with straight sides anymore. Do you know where I can find those? The ones I found all have curved sides, and I do not like them as well.

[@wefinnasee7067]

Paper??!! Girl, byyyyyeeeee🤣🤣

[@BubblyBibleGirl]

I don't blame you for keeping the paper trail because of "the games" at&t and direct TV play lol

[@MarriageMotherhood]

Yes girl! They love to "forget" discounts

[@BubblyBibleGirl]

Yeah! They got us to sign up because of a specific special they were having, but when it came time to collect, they conveniently didn't have it in their records. Lol

[@karenherrera287]

Genius!

[@victorianelson8282]

I only keep tax paperwork and stuff like car titles and birth certificates. I also like getting a physical bill in the mail, and when I pay them and mail it out I immediately shred the stub. I used to keep them for a year, but found I never needed it. Even if my check gets lost in the mail, worst case scenario the electric company (or fill in the blank) sends me a new bill a couple weeks later. It's only happened once and the electric company removed the late fee when I called them. The way I look at it, if I have to pay a $20 fee every couple of years to not keep paper, I will do that. I also keep a paper shredder in my entryway, so I shred everything as soon as I walk in the door if it doesn't require action from me.

[@shaysey6857]

I’m attempting to use OneNote for paper files.

[@dobycorder3206]

Shana S. Seymore , how are you doing that? ( I don’t have a smart phone but I have a tablet..?!)

[@shaysey6857]

I’m using my MacBook

[@kathywoodard3618]

Yes I get it

[@heidurmaria]

It always surprises me how much mail Americans get sent. I get maybe 10 letters in the mail per year, probably even less than that. Everything is online here.

[@MarriageMotherhood]

Yes! Its ridiculous!

[@cararevelscrittenton806]

YAY you are awesome thanks for sharing these tips NEW Sub

[@jeanettaervin5807]

Hello Jia and Family

[@lenglish61983]

I need to have a better filing system

[@sonyamoore7537]

My biggest problem is the things that comes from your children's school. Why does each child need to bring home the same paperwork( send it by the oldest)😃. One thing about virtual learning all that is online.

[@TS-sh8xo]

Handle mail as it comes in is what works for me too. Most of it is junk so recycle and get on with your life😁

[@rivermist80]

Still paper here

[@angierecovering_clutterer2434]

I have all my bills on auto-pay and I never balance my checkbook or look at bills. Maybe that's a bad thing...

[@dobycorder3206]

Hey Angie, most of my bills are on auto pay too. I used to balance my checkbook but now with debit card, it’s too much! I look thru the statement the end of the month to make sure the charges all look familiar. Gotta glance at the bills just to make sure they received your last payment and their rates have not changed!