Avoiding the Paper Pile

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

14 Apr 2009 04:36 PM

When you have one piece of paper on a surface, you have at least ten or more pieces of paper on a surface. The darn things tend to multiply like rabbits. Here is how to get it all under control and preventing it from happening ever again.

Identify the hot spots

You can't conquer your enemy if you don't know him. Go around your home and identify the spots where paper tends to collect. In my household it is on a small antique desk in the front entry where mail tends to collect and on the main desk in the family room where school paperwork, forms and other "to dos" wind up.

Common hot spots in a home for paper pile ups include the kitchen counter and the dining room table.

Divide and conquer

First remove all of the papers that have collected in your hot spots. Then sit down with three containers. Make sure you have the time to attack this all at once, although in truth for most people it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes to complete. Next pick up each piece of paper and put it in one of the three boxes: Recyle/toss, File, Act. By using boxes that can be put out of sight instead of making very visible piles, you can start or stop this project as needed, without creating more of a mess. You can then address each of the boxes now, or deal with it a little at a time.

Develop a routine

Develop a routine that prevents the paper pile up in the first place. For example, when mail is collected, instead of being placed on the desk automatically when I come in the door, I go through it before doing anything else (even taking off my coat). Junk mail goes straight into the recycling, bills and statements go into a folder in one of the desk drawers, and coupons or important correspondence goes into another folder in the desk drawer. Your routine will vary, according to your hot spot and the type of clutter you collect.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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