Organizing my stuff…

Life is easier when you have systems to organize your stuff.  Here are some strategies that work for me.

1. Tax-related documentation.  Put all documents you might possibly need for your taxes in a labeled file folder.  You can sort by type when you get ready to do your taxes.  Unless you have a lot of one type of receipt, one file folder is all you need.
2. Credit card and other receipts, bill payment stubs, and the like.  Will you ever need them again?  Sometimes.  So use a 13-pocket organizer with MONTH tabs and stash the offending paper in the appropriate pocket.  When that month comes around next year, sort through the receipts and discard or shred anything you do not need, which will probably be everything.  I prefer the 9 x 12 size organizer because it fits in a file drawer, but a business envelope size and an even smaller size are available at office supply stores.
3. Tote bags and large purses with few inside pockets. Prevent the “black hole” by using 2-3 structured mesh zipper bags that come in a variety of sizes.  I use one for pens and the like, another for receipts and coupons, and so on.  You can see through the mesh bags, so you know what they contain.  Using these bags also makes it easier to change from one tote or purse to another.
4. Monthly bank statements.  Punch and store them in date order in a three ring binder with MONTH tabs.  When that month comes around next year, discard the supporting pages and keep just the summary (first) page.
5. Recipes.  Use a plastic hanging file box with a lid and a handle.  Inside place hanging dividers that are labeled by category.  I have a separate hanging file for every typical category, and additional files for “special” categories, like Bread Pudding and Pasta with Peanut Sauce.  When you clip or copy recipes, simply place them in the appropriate file.  Periodically, sort through the recipes and discard those you really will not make.  I store my plastic recipe file box in the bottom of my pantry cupboard.
6. Rulers.  Quiltmakers have a lot of rulers!  I store and display mine in a clear plastic document collator purchased at an office supply store.  A lid organizer or a cookie sheet organizer, available at a hardware or kitchen supply store, would also work.