Shoeboxes - A Green Way to Store More than Shoes

Recently, I was in a new client's home to help her organize her everyday and archival paper. We finished with her daily paper management, and I asked her where she stored her receipts (we had a small stack gathered). She began to blush, looked a little embarrassed, and said, "you won't like this, but I use a shoebox in my closet". I asked her if the system "worked"? I usually can tell if an existing filing system works if the client:

• doesn't lose or misplace papers often
• can find them easily when needed

She stated how she uses the boxes, where she stores them, and after hearing her process, I gave this system my whole-hearted Professional Organizer approval. This was a GREAT system! She had a ROUTINE, she knew WHERE they were at all times, and USED the process every year at tax time to her advantage. Perfect!

If you use a shoe box, a baggie, a plastic container, or drawer - make sure you use it regularly (routinely), label it so that anyone else that might need it (besides you) can find it quickly, and make sure it doesn't have a dead end - in other words, make sure it has a purpose (i.e. end-of-year accounting).




If you prefer a pretty, polished system, grab a Receipt.Catcher from Buttoned Up - available at Discover Organizing Store.