Dear Friends,
What is it about getting rid of paper clutter that we find so
overwhelming. I am willing to bet that most of you that have been a
member with us for awhile have greatly reduced the amount of new paper
clutter but still have the battle with the old paper clutter that is
stashed in boxes, bags and plastic containers. They are stuffed in
closets, drawers, under beds, spare bedrooms, basements attics and more.
It is so overwhelming that it is easier to just leave them where they
are than to deal with them. We have all been there and done that I
promise you.
You have to just pick one box and start. It is as simple as that.
You need to have a few supplies on hand. First choose the one bag or
box that you are going to deal with. Then get something to put the
papers that you are going to have to save. You will find things in
those bags and boxes that you do need. It could be a car title, a
birth certificate, important legal papers, whatever. You will find
things you need to save and you have to have a place to put them for
now. Grab a shoe box or a milk crate. You are not going to file them
now. That is too much to handle at one time. Then you need another
box - this will be where you place the things that need to be
shredded: old credit card bills, canceled checks, old bank
statements, credit cards offers, the junk mail that has your name on
it that you want to shred. Then have a bag for the paper trash you
can recycle or throw away if recycling services aren't available in
your area.
A great time to go through a box is in the evening with a television
show or movie playing. Sit in a comfy chair with your supplies around
you. Open up the box or bag and grab a handful of the paper. Go
through each piece and toss into the appropriate box or bag. You do
not have to finish the entire box in one evening. Do what you can
handle and then allow yourself time to clean up. Do not leave the
boxes and trash bags just sitting in front of the tv. Mark the box
that you are working on with today's date, that way you will know that
is the one to go back to. Mark the box of things to be shredded and
the box that contain the items you found that you need to save. Label
it to be filed with today's date on it. Then go and toss the paper
that needs to be recycled in the recycle bin or trash can.
This will go faster than what you realize, you just have to step out
in faith and do it. Don't set yourself up for failure thinking that
you can go through everything at one time and file it. It won't
happen. One box or bag at at time.
Now, if you realize that you are going to have a huge amount of things
to be shredded you have several options. One is to purchase a
shredder at your local office supply store or discount store. You can
find them very reasonably priced these days. I have to warn you up
front if you have a large amount that you want to shred yourself or
have your older children help you with make sure you also purchase the
oiling supplies for the shredder. You will see these supplies next to
the shredders. These supplies are what keep the blades lubricated.
They come in bottles or in sheets that you just put through the
shredder. Another option is to call a shredding service - there are
companies out there that will come to you home with a shredding truck.
You take the boxes or bag straight to the truck and they will shred
everything on site at you house. The last option is to check your
local Mailboxes Etc., Stores, Kinko's etc and see if they have
shredding services on site that you can take your items to. There are
some places that have locked containers that you drop your items into
and they are picked up and put on a truck, the bottom opens up and the
papers fall straight into a shredder. Just google the words Shredding
Services with your town and state in a google search bar and you will
find services in your area. You can also find them in the phone book.
Now, Lets review:
Grab a box or bag of paper clutter
Grab a box and label it To Shred
Grab a Trash Bag for trash
Grab your recycle bin for any paper that can be recycled
Grab a smaller box and label it with today's date and To be Filed with
today's date so you know when the last time you touched it.
Sit and grab a hand full out of the bag or box to go through and start
sorting.
Put your supplies away and do this again another day. You will get
through those bags and boxes. You have to use Baby Steps!!
Kelly
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