Based on one of your previous videos, last year I purchased the Freedom Filer system you have linked above. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! It lives up to its name - giving you freedom from all the the paper piles and the overstuffed file folders. I am still tweaking it a bit to fit our family - and the 2 drawer filing cabinet I have now - but I have to say it was one of the best organizing investments I’ve ever made. Thank you SO much for sharing!

You are my hero!!!! I'm done with stacks of paper! Thank you!

I love the file by month idea! Personally I cannot handle an action folder because I can't see into it. I have a wall mount magazine rack that is see-through wire mesh. It holds my bills or anything else that is time sensitive. It really cuts down on my procrastination and/or poor memory issues. :)

My parents had saved payment stubs for everything for 40+ years. When my Dad passed, it was so hard for my Mom. I also tended to save everything. Come to find out, you don't need it. Any bill can be assessed online or you can request a copy. I no longer have a bank statement, it is seen electronically. I have some permanent files, but only save needed receipts in a envelope, a file for commissioned employment, taxes up to three years, and a file for the current year tax receipts. If you are saving every credit card statement for payment records, stubs from utilities, etc., it is only busy work. There is a list online of 12 items every person should store in a fire safe box. It really helps put things in perspective. Also, the less mail you receive, the less paper you have to deal with.

Love your ideas. Wanted to share one that helped me. I bought a Neat desk scanner and it is awesome and easy to use. I still use the freedom filer for important papers I need the origional of like tax documents or birth certificates for example. Everything else is scanned into the Neat Desk and then thrown into recycling. I can search any document, receipt or business card and best of all if I'm not sure what I'm looking for (like a recipe) I can just type "chicken" into the search function and it brings up anything that matches that in any document. Nothing is ever lost and best of all I am free of excess clutter. Now I call that a win-win.

@brendalg4

6 ай бұрын

Do you still use it? I heard something bad about it that it went out of business or the software isn't good anymore or something

Please do a video on how to do a budget

@zebboriah

4 жыл бұрын

Check out Dave Ramsey. Easiest budget advise and software out there. He helped me get rid of $35k in debt.

Sorting by the recycle bin is the best habit that I ever cultivated in terms of keeping on top paper clutter. My file system is a bit different, but its worked for 30yrs. 😊

I love this method! I watched your old video on this over a year ago & switched my filing system! I used hanging files I already had, one color for odd year and another for the even year. And it makes so much more sense for me to store everything by month instead of by type of item. 💜💜💜

My husband always laughs because I asked for a filing cabinet for Christmas several years ago. But he did get me a rather lovely wooden 3 drawer cabinet. I keep 1 drawer for household paperwork. Even he admits it’s nice knowing where papers are when they’re needed. The other 2 drawers are for my writing and for my research notes that I use when I’m writing. He still says I ask for the most random gifts. His colleagues at work always look forward to hearing what random gift was “on my list” each year. So far (the ones that come to mind) ▪️Filing cabinet ▪️Soldering iron (I’m a qualified stained glass Artist). ▪️Suitcases (they’re gorgeous & Purple). ▪️College Course (part time evening classes in cake decorating). This Christmas I just had lots of money! Ok I actually had my husband transfer me a bunch of money to go to IKEA to buy the bedroom vanity I wanted, including the lights, mirror, chair, and the barstool/chair I can use in the kitchen (I’m disabled and cannot stand to prep stuff and I miss working in the kitchen). So I’m off to IKEA at the weekend! 😍 The other thing I got was a lockup box... I have made us a preparedness box. If there is ever an emergency evacuation situation, we grab the box from it’s hiding place (it’s near the exit, so we pass it on the way out, so no times wasted). Inside there are our drivers licences (we don’t have to carry them in the U.K.) our passports, other ID’s, birth, marriage certificates. Plus ALL insurance documents/certificates, lists of medications. Basically everything we might need if the worst should happen. We sadly had a friend lose everything in a house fire last November, and they struggled without insurance documents. It just took everything so much longer. So now we have a “grab it” box should the worst happen.

I save things for years because I don’t know what to do with so much paper. My shredder would take a year to do all of it. I have it hidden pretty well Be would love to hear your ideas. I love watching you!

This video has given me a great idea . Since I honestly tend to pay all my bills by mail. I know it’s a lot more paperwork but ever since I had an issue with a company and I couldn’t find proof of it since I paid it online. I now pay everything by check and find it easier to go back if I need to. But that works for me but your video will help me organize my papers better this year. Thank You!

@avon5028

6 жыл бұрын

I pay all bills online too and if there is a dispute, the bank has all the records.

@jeanetteburgess4649

6 жыл бұрын

I pay online and "print" a copy of the receipt to a folder in OneNote. If I've forgotten a payment, there won't be a receipt there. If you pay from your bank account, using online banking and BPAY, it's also easy to track the payments. 😁

I have seen several other videos on how to organize mail from other channel and I have to say your system is the best for me .Very simple and easy to keep up with. I am going to a Sunday basket with your method because I never go through my mail right away. so every Sunday I will go through my basket of mail and sort it out. Thank you for the best organization option for me.

Awesome methods! The mail organization method sounds a lot like GTD, I like. Another cheap way I've found to organize receipts is to separate them by store and organize by date into one lump per store. That way if you ever to do return something, even deal with certain bills, or figuring out patterns in costs it's a lot easier to find specific receipts. This especially works if you're one of those people that keeps any and every receipts for 2+ years. That and for things I can never take back, like gas or food I've already eaten, I just throw those receipts away after I'm done with them. Less paper clutter, the better!

Perfect timing!!! Yesterday I went out to buy a file cabinet, wasn't sure how to use it. Now with Katherine' s tips I know exactly where to start. Thank u

Omgee the by month instead of by type of bills/document idea just blew my mind! Thanks Kathryn!

I have my file folders: To File, To Do, To Pay, Taxes and I just cleared out my filing cabinet and anything that is online statements is being served online. Totally reduced my filing cabinet mess and stress but now I need to find the time to shred a laundry basket full of paperwork. :( But at least my filing cabinet is easier to work with and much happier.

@mickyunit

6 жыл бұрын

Doron Vergun Way to go!!! I'm doing the same thing, except I'm just tackling shredding one or two folders a night. Otherwise I'd have 5 laundry baskets full!!! I'm looking at almost 30 years of paperwork! 😫😫

@SophieMia806

6 жыл бұрын

mickyunit ...That sounds like me! I save everything, and it gets so overwhelming trying to go through everything. I really need to learn what I need to keep, and for how long, and what I can get rid of. I know I have paperwork from 20-30 years ago, too. Plus I'm a packrat, too. Good luck getting your paperwork in order. =)

@petmomful2260

5 жыл бұрын

@Rachel House My husband burns our stuff in the fire pit in the yard. I do very little shredding now! Yay!

This file system just save me hundreds of dollars because I was able to quickly locate paid bills that the doctor's office tried to bill twice! Woohoo!!!

You know how you watch those KZreadrs who, when you're done with the video, you say..."You need to grow a personality and then you can do this." Well, we don't say that with you Catherine (sp?). Thank you for your videos. I've been telling all my friends to watch you. I love your videos and have binge watched during my time off. Wow, those old videos are brutal. LOL. Not seriously. You do great! And your videos motivate me to organize. Been doing that for the past 2 weeks with all my free time. Drawers are being organized now. Thank you for the excitement and upbeatness of your videos. I hope your holiday was great.

I have tried so many different methods that were disasters. Yours is so simple and totally makes sense! Thank you so much!

This is so incredibly organized. You are such an inspiration Kathryn!! Thanks.

Oh my gosh! What a great simple idea! Even when I manage to get things near my file cabinet, it takes too much time to file them in separate folders when simply filing them by month would be so much easier & quicker and still be easy to find if needed! Thank you!!!

I've been using freedom filer since you recommended it years ago. Its AMAZING! It really helps me to keep paper under control. Thanks for sharing!

@Tammy_wit_a_y

4 жыл бұрын

What’s freedom filer

I struggle with paper organization this has been very helpful , more videos pls, Thank you

This is my first video of yours I have watched. You're fantastic! This is just what I needed.I am on a journey of purging excess paperwork. It feels good.

Awesome ideas. As usual. I keep a pretty storage box I got at Michael's, on my kitchen counter. Mail and bills, and notepads and appointment cards get stacked on top of each other. I think your system looks much better. Since I don't have an office space I would still have to put your system under the wall phone on the kitchen bar for the action folders, but I think it would be more functional. Thank you Kathryn.

I have something to make this super easy if you rotate the month folder to the back of both yearly sections then you only have to empty the folder of the current month from 2 years ago so at the beginning of the month you check, scan (if you think you might need to keep longer) and shred to make room for the new month. This way your always keeping it at a 2 year rotation and only file into the front folder! Love your channel thank you for the idea.

This is great for small businesses. Thanks

I have been using this filing method for 2 years now and love it!! I also have a temporary category that I use for insurance, license that are renewed every so often , etc...basically anything that is renewed. So I pull out the old once I receive the renewal. These renewals are not considered permanent so no need to keep thing fever because a new version of the documents will come in the mail. So no brainer once renewal comes in the mail. I immediately pull out the old version of the document and put renewal in the file!! Simple

Unbelievable this is SUPER SUPER SUPER AWESOME JOB!!!

That's very smart! We just bought a house and now im conquering mail clutter

Been using this for a few weeks and it works great! Still customizing tho. Piles of Paper are now off the kitchen table! 👍👍

Thank you so much your site is exactly what is going to make my life a whole lot easier.

Great video! Could you do a video of what goes in the permanent file folders and how you declutter those files? I think I still keep too many papers in my permanent files for years.

@shaeharbin8415

6 жыл бұрын

Ms TJE Yes! I need help with this also!

@k.0910

6 жыл бұрын

Ms TJE... yes please Katherine... help on this would be great too :)!

@marilynsedita1902

6 жыл бұрын

Please give examples of titles for PERMANENT FILES and how and when to declutter those files. Thank you !

@evah8109

5 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@erinmarshallloxahatcheegro6922

3 жыл бұрын

Anyone know if this video ever got made?

I appreciate how quick, useful, specific and positive this video was

2018 is off to a great start thanks to this latest video & all the ways you offer a balanced life...”keeping it real”. Snow day tomorrow so good time to tackle some paper clutter. Reorganized our hall closet 2 days ago using some of your ideas. I’ve walked by it about 5 times to smile . Thank you & look forward to your next video. 😎

Wow, great system! I'm going to put this system into affect asap. Thank you!

Great idea! Thanks Kathryn!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this video. My husband and I are overwhelmed with the mail clutter. I tried a number of organization ideas but this is by far more helpful. I have a tall file cabinet similar to yours we got for a great price from a consignment shop, and I have been itching to use it. This is perfect.

Brilliant! Must do for our house. Thank you

Excellent video and system. I am going to try it. Paper is one of the biggest issues to true organization in my household. Now I am hopeful!! Thanks again, Gigi

Omg I love it. I just got file cabs and planned on doing filing by items, even though I collect everything in a binder monthly, what am I thinking?!? I love the odd even year idea! Thx for sharing 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Ahhhh I’m so excited!!! I love your videos Kathrine! Your channel is one of my favorites when I’m in the hospital passing the time. You truly help with my mood when I’m sick and in the hospital which happens at least every 6 Weeks that I’m admitted. So thank you again soooo much! Love the boys 😍

@DoItOnaDime

6 жыл бұрын

MommaOlson love and hugs 🤗. Wishing you health and a speedy recovery

@OlsonDay

6 жыл бұрын

Do It On A Dime aww thank you so much!!!! I’ll be down in Charlotte for my nephews birthday in early February and I’ll definitely be going to the big dollars tree and let’s just say I wouldn’t be mad if I ran into you lol 😍😍😍

Thanks for the information on the tackle to organize I'm sure it will come in handy. new year to get organize.

I love your videos and upbeat enthusiasm! Filing by the month is a serious game changer can't wait to get start on this!!

@DoItOnaDime

6 жыл бұрын

April S yay! Good luck April.

I've been using the Freedom Filer System for over 2 years. It's the only way I can keep my paper clutter under control.

What a wonderful way to organize!!! I am gonna use this to help my mom organize her bills and paper work

My husband and I desperately needed this video. Our system with now right now is hardly organized. I recently purchased the clean magnetic file holder from your last video and plan to sort our mail in there. Hopefully it works for us. Anything is better than what we’re currently doing. Thanks for all the great tips!

Ok so what about coupons that you want to use for fast food, portrait studio coupons to JC Penney, Chinese or Kohl’s? I have certificates for gymnastics, photos that need in frames, receipts, owners manuals, baby well check papers with important milestones, and so much more!!

@retromolar1

6 жыл бұрын

Brandi Jordan I se an accordion file for owners manuals, receipts for electronics, house repairs, etc. You can also use Martha Stewart's way with electronic purchases by keeping the box with manual and receipt stapled to the manual or taped to the box. I keep food coupons in my car in an acrylic envelope which lives slid beside the seat. For restaurant and store coupons, I also store in a coupon keeper in the drivers door. If these coupons are not in my car, they never make it to the store. Knowing yourself is key to any system. For store receipts, keep until you know it fits for clothing or in the accordion box if it is part of a warranty.

such a good and concise organizing idea!

I am favoriting this NOW! Also, I'd be so thankful if you could share any tips on minimizing paper traffic in the home from the kids? Like (art) projects, binders full of stuff from the end of the school year... How do you choose what to hang onto? How do you help them stay organized? Thanks!!

So simple but absolutely wonderful.... I like the even/odd year thing - gonna definitely start that!! Thank you so much Kathryn! You are honestly a blessing to me!

Great IDEA! Definitely going to be using this method.. Thank you.

This set up has worked wonders for me. No more clutter. Thanks.

Love this monthly idea! I’m converting today!

OMG, I was just getting ready to search for a video for exactly this. Thanks

Wow, this system might actually work for me. Until now I was/am a subject folder filer. And I still have utility bills from 10 years ago ... Thank you for sharing and have a great day!

Best video of the year! I need to start this!!!!

I'm still living at home with my parents, so this video was more of a good thing to think about in the future for when I have to pay my own bills. Big thanks to you, Kathryn! :)

About 4 years ago I bought a Fuji ScanSnap, which comes with Rack-2 Filer program. So I basically do this, only digitally and by year/category vs month. I love scanning the bills or receipts (which creates and saves a searchable PDF) and knowing I have it all but keeping NONE of the actual papers. I have a digital bookshelf for 'Household 2017' and then within that are digital binders for the different categories (Utilities & Bills, Credit, Taxes, Investments, etc). My problem now is that I pile the "to be shredded" stuff...and sometimes I take awhile to get to the shredding :) Love your videos! Thanks for doing them!

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I need to make a Dollar Tree run pronto to get our supplies!!

I was so excited to see this video pop up. My New Years resolution is to be organized. On the top of my list is my mail and office. I have been up early this morning searching and watching videos on this type of organization. Thanks!!!! I can’t wait to put these tips to work.

@DoItOnaDime

6 жыл бұрын

Lynnette Glascock yay! I hope it’s helpful!

@KristinahaileyPermanentMakeup

2 жыл бұрын

@@DoItOnaDime thank you so much for your hard work to put out this wonderful video for us but I’m a little bit confused if you want to quickly access a bill for car insurance for example or house insurance how do you know in which month it is?! but if you if I categorize it I’ll file with car insurance I can go to it and I can access my car insurance for two years or three years or four years in a row.

Thank you, thank you , thank youuuuu!!! Just got my file folders ready! Here's to a tidy 2018👍🏻😊

Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas. I struggle with this so bad!!

That's great if you can remember what month something happened in. I file mine by what bill it is that way if I need the electric bill it's under that name. If I need ins bill its under that name. But it's interesting to see the way other people do things and inspiring someone to change and do better is what it's all about! Thanks.

This is an awesome system and I love the 3 folders at the beginning and the permanent storage. But I also know myself: by December I won`t remember if I bought my coffee machine in Feb, March or April... So I am pretty sure this part doesn't work for me :-)

Great tips Kathryn, thanks for sharing 💟💟💟

This is pretty much how I organize my computer files, too! Monthly is so much easier to handle than by topic, and I can go through old January years every January and delete anything unneeded, and so on every month. 👍 Perpetual decluttering makes things so easy!

Love this ides! Going to implement this! So happy I found your site...!

I'm a mess. Organization should be a class in school!! haha You definitely have a new subscriber!!! I am going to impress my wife! Her biggest complaint is my unorganization. And I like this way of organizing WAY better. Quick and easy!

Love this video!!! Great ideas that I will definitely implement.

Thank you for posting this video. I feel like a light went on. I have this filing system, but was struggling with it. Now it seems so simple. I can't wait to tackle it this weekend.

Definitely will have to check out doing it this way. I had always filed by item and then shred after a year. This seems to be a better method!

I use a bill organizer book for every year from dollar tree. I have books from 5 yrs ago. I right down income every month it's nice to look back to see what we've paid back then too.

Remembering the month would not work for me. lol My system is just two small (portable) hanging file folder bins. One for monthly bills, the other for long term storage. I do have a "catch all" box for papers I don't feel like filing at the moment. Every January I "shred" old bills. I absolutely despise paperwork. But, this system keeps me organized and from banging my head on the wall.

I LOVE this!😅 I knew there had to be an easier way! Thank you!!

LOVED IT!!! AWESOME TIPS, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, YOU'RE A LIFESAVER🤗🤗🤗 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Great system. Gonna try it!

Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

What a great video !! I have tried so many different systems nothing works. This looks like something I can actually do that finally makes sense !! Love your vids !!

Mind. Blown. Seriously, I have never thought to file in this manner! Thank you so much!

I adopted your system a couple of years ago (you had an earlier video) and it is amazing.

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

OMG I so need to do this. paper is my nemesis!

If I am understanding this system, I put papers from a given month together and if I need to access, I need to have a photographic memory of what month I received/filed a given document. This may work for one person with a very sharp mind...but not so well when one person files and the "other person" is looking for something. Also, every year, I find it more and more important that things are in a logical place so that I can re-think the process and NOT depend on my memory.

@petmomful2260

5 жыл бұрын

I agree. I prefer to keep my papers separated by category. For example, all the electric bills together, latest one on top, in a binder. Then in Jan. I purge them out. My husband burns them in the fire pit. Only one file to go thru. Receipts are not put in there. Only bills.

You are a genius! I’ve been wanting to get started with a simple system, and you have provided one that I think I can handle. Wish me luck. TFS.

You are a genius. I've been trying to get my files organized for about.... five years. Your monthly system is so much easier. Where did you get you file tabs?

I'm more organized at work then my home office thanks Catherine you system does work.

I organize my bills by the bill, doing it by month makes better sense. It’s funny how I didn’t think of this simple change, that could make my life easier. I guess that’s why I watch videos. It want let me give you two 👍🏾’s up. 😂🤪😂 THANKS 🤗🤗🤗

Great idea! I can see this working for paperwork other than mail as well.

I’m so happy I finally found a neater and easier way to file my paper, thanks

Wow so simple! You blew my mind! Totally doing this .

Fantastic video and great ideas! Thank you!

I have filed our business receipts by month for years and it works perfectly. I use an accordion folder with month tabs and at the end of the year it goes into a bank box with the payroll cards, deposit slips and tax forms. If the business gets audited then it is all together. Monthly filing is the way to go. Much quicker than filing by categories.

Genius! It’s that easy?!?! Seems to good to be true but can’t wait to try it! 👍

This is exactly what I’ve been doing this morning in cold and rainy London! I’ve always filed by month soooooo much easier to go back, when I tell people this they look baffled you explained it brilliantly. Great tips here thank you 😘

@jacqui7672

6 жыл бұрын

t66sha oh good for you! Happy new year...and keep up the goodness.

Hi, could you make a video about how to organise kids papers? Like birth certificate, pass or even artworks or special memories?

@k.0910

6 жыл бұрын

Peony Hanabashi and I agree; yes please Katherine Do it on a dime please let us know:)!

@whoaitschrista

6 жыл бұрын

Yes!! I would love to see this too!!

@autumnarnell1845

6 жыл бұрын

I think she did one before the baby came, but I do remember she did it at least with the oldest.

@Chulacampos

6 жыл бұрын

She already has a video of important keepsakes for the kids maybe u can do a search in her channel :)

@petmomful2260

5 жыл бұрын

I had 4 kids. I had a file for each one. Important school papers and drawings went in each one. Report cards, awards, autographs, things like that. If they make a big project, keep it for a while, then take a picture of it and put it in the file. I kept immunizations and birth certificates separately in our safe. When my kids grew up, I gave them their file, and they had fun going thru it. Now they can decide whether to keep it or not! BTW, you cannot keep everything!!

Great Idea! thanks for sharing!

Love your organization tips !!!

That is exactly what happened to me. I had everything under a different title and then it got filled up and it has been sitting in my filing cabinate for at least 3 years now. I like the month system better. This may motivate me to clean it out and try again. Thanks

I love your system, it's so easy & practical. Need to make changes amongst my paperwork. Greetings from South Africa