Really exciting.....how do you store papers?

[idkwtdo]

We're having a big clear out before Xmas and have been getting rid of lots of old papers but not sure how to best store financial, health, school and other household related files / papers.
Filing cabinets tend to be so ugly and not sure we really have much room for one without a major shift around. We talked about scanning stuff and storing electronically but in reality I'm not sure we're disciplined enough to do it regularly so we'd end up with a big pile of papers again . So pls tell me what you do as I really want to break the cycle of having piles of papers everywhere!! Thanks

A big part of it is trying to minimise what comes in in the first place and also be ruthless about what you actually need to keep.
So make sure you have ticked the paperless option for everything you possibly can (although do need good electronic filing system!). And the then also streamline what you do keep. Eg If you do utility bills online you will always have access to those so they can go. I think all I have now is some pensions stuff, the last council tax bill, our identity docs and letters from the hospital.
But as for storing it I'm not sure I have the magical solution- my files are stuffed in a drawer although we do plan to do the office up so I will just have a shelf then to put them on

Thanks yes we have lots of stuff online but still seem to accumulate loads of stuff I just don't want to have a metal filing cabinet and because we're both working from home we have work stuff too....

Lever arch files on a bookcase here.

Same as bookgirl but mine's in the kitchen cabinet.

We do have a small white filling cabinet from IKEA which doesn't look too ugly and does the job really well. I used to stuff everything in a drawer! It's so nice now just to have drop files labelled work/travel/health etc...if you really can't find the room, then a portable expansion file will probably do the job just as well.

As PPs have said, minimising the paper tiy store is key. 90% can be disposed of, I think. We have a letter sorter with a cubby for each person and sort that once per week into action/file/shred. When I had a lot of paper clutter, I put it all in one pile in an in tray and went through an inch per day. Flylady method and it's quite satisfying!

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. We've ended up scanning some things and have got rid of lots I am so happy to have decluttered some. But there's lots to go and as we're self isolating that will keep us busy!!

We keep one of these by the front door. https://www.viking-direct.co.uk/en/office-depot-expanding-file-13-compartments-a4-blue-plastic-p-1436380?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=organic&utmcampaign=surfaceegooglemobile&cmmmmc=Google--PLAAGENGOOGLE-SHOPPINGGall-products-low-priorityAll+Productscts--1436380&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoabBRCxARIsANMx4S6OQTtExv1KcIhvfSfETa3EgEIZ3NrQYvwGeR6PqQe9AU528wxQjFYaAulkEALww_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Each section is labelled, eg for different bank accounts/ utilities and as soon as I've opened the post I pop it into the correct section (leaving out anything I actually need to deal with). I also put letters from the school in. It's made everything so much easier and I never have papers lying around anymore. I've just ordered another one for 2021.

Mine are mostly in IKEA Tjena box files - very sturdy, can be stored flat if not in use, and look quite nice in dark grey. They fit very nicely inside IKEA Billy bookcases, with no overhang - not my favourite bookshelves as I prefer solid wood normally, but they're very practical. You can get glass or MDF doors for the bookcases if you want your papers even more out of sight. I think it's a nicer look than a filing cabinet, and just as practical, unless you actually need to have things under lock and key.

Ooooh thank you these both look great ideas. I love the Tjena boxes they look very nice to go on the sitting room shelves. I feel a bit inspired to get everything sorted once and for all although it will take me some time to get through the masses of papers we've accumulated!

We keep most papers in folders marked by year. Then we dump stuff when it's three years old.

I’m truly awful with paper so what I’ve done is create two boxes.

One is for long term storage with hanging folders so it’s the equivalent of one drawer of a filing cabinet. I was ruthless about culling but I think I will go through it again and take photos of anything that I’m storing that I’m never going to be asked to produce (eg the difference between medical notes and a birth certificate)

My second box is the same size and I just throw stuff in there. I’m really not good at either filing or figuring out what to keep and discard. So I just go through it every few months as a big job. The great thing about this “system” is that it’s all in date order so actually very easy to find something quickly.

I’ve heard of people doing something similar with an accordion file with a section for each month. I’m terrible enough at filing for that system to defeat me! But an open box works well

I have learned to take a picture of every letter the dc bring home from school.

We just have a 2 drawer filing cabinet. It is grey and lockable. I just put it in the corner with the printer on top.