When it comes to sorting paper, different systems work well for different types of paper. There is still one system I think every person should have. It's simple to develop and quick to use, but it can really simplify the amount of paper you have to deal with. I call it the "Maybe" Folder.
Most of us constantly have paper coming into our homes - school papers, work papers, mail, etc. If we don't develop simple and effective systems for incoming items, important papers can get misplaced. We all know about filing away information for our taxes or essential items like birth certificates and passports. However, there are some papers that don't fit into these categories. They are often left out on the counters, stuck to the refrigerator, or tacked onto a corkboard. This creates unattractive visual clutter and can make it difficult to find items when we need them. This is why we need the "Maybe" Folder.
The "Maybe" Folder is a folder where you can put items you may or may not need in the future. Items I place here include coupons, catalogs, sale papers, receipts, etc. This folder is just for the random papers that I might or might not use in the future. I never put anything important in here (bills to pay, forms to sign, etc.)
The only purpose of this folder is to house items that could possibly be useful to me in the future, but they aren't important. If this folder got misplaced or thrown away, it wouldn't matter. There are no due dates and no action that needs to be taken. It is simply a place to store unimportant papers that I might like to reference in the future.
Put your "Maybe" Folder in a place that is easy for you to go back to if you realize you need something. Need to return those new pants that don't fit well? Grab the receipt out of your "Maybe" Folder. Want to go shopping at your favorite store? Grab those coupons in the "Maybe" Folder. Need to order something from a catalog? Grab it out of your "Maybe" Folder. There is no searching for these random items. You will know exactly where they are when you need them, but they aren't taking up your valuable space.
If you don't have a "Maybe" Folder, it "may be" something worth considering.
Need more tips for simplifying paper? Check out my "6 Steps to Simplifying Paper".
You can also get my FREE printable - Paper Sorting Categories.
As always, thanks so much for reading.
Happy Sorting!
<3 Sierra
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