I'm working on it

As part of my big re-organisation plan I really want to get our paperwork under control. Currently various bits of paperwork can be found in an unwieldy binder, several drawers, and shamefully, on the living room floor. Anytime we need to put our hands on something it's a frustrating process (like the time I called Lucas frantically from Barbados back in May needing copies of papers for the local authorities).

Of course I have to do this frugally, so it means using what is already here as much as possible. I remembered that I had years of magazines stored in these wooden holders from Ikea, and decided the time had come to part with said magazines, thus freeing the holders up (and also a ton of well needed space). I'm talking magazines over five years old that I haven't even glanced at in at least 18 months. Easy decision.

The desk organiser is also from Ikea and was holding random bits of unrelated paper which need to be sorted and filed. The basket currently holds my hat and gloves. This area is right in the entry way, and on the opposite side there's another organiser where I will place incoming mail. The plan would be that once we open, read and deal with the mail, we'll place them in the organiser shown here, and I will then file them in the appropriate folder which will be kept in the magazine files. (Incidentally, I asked Lucas last night if he knew where I could find manila folders and he looked at me like I was speaking a foreigh language. Which from his point of view I guess I was!). I haven't decided yet if I will paint them or not, I think I like the raw wood look.

Do you have any tips and tricks for dealing with your paperwork? I'd love some suggestions!