Paper Management Tips For The Home

Handle incoming paperwork

• Paperwork will come into your home in many ways – usually in the mail, email, paperwork from work, travel and school.  Set up ways for dealing with the paperwork so it doesn’t build up and clutter your areas.  Decide what to keep, what needs to be actioned and what needs to be filed.  Be tough and hold no prisoners. 
•   Reconcile your bank statement every time you receive it.
• Reduce paperwork that you receive by cutting down on how many bank accounts you have if possible

Keep follow up documents in clear sight so you don’t forget about them. 

• Keep your gift cards in your purse so you have them readily available when you need to use them
• Write your bill due dates in your diary and file them in a folder designated to that purpose, or keep them in a tray where they are in clear sight and you won’t forget about them and can clearly see the due date.  Schedule designated times to pay and review your bills. 
• Keep invitations where you can see them and record the party date in your diary when you receive them and make sure you rsvp.  A great way to keep items in clear sight is to use a bulletin board.

Filing & Storage

• Always file your bills immediately after paying.
• Staple papers together instead of using paperclips.  Paperclips can easily get caught on other papers and muddle everything up.
• Store your valuable documents in a fireproof safe
• Regularly update your filing system
• Keep your business transactions separate from your household transactions and expenditures.

Tips For Creating A To Do List

Why should you use a To Do List?

• A to do list can help you manage your time better
•   It allows you to visualise what you need to achieve
•   A to do list can help prioritise
•   It can help improve your memory by writing everything down
•  It can help keep you organised
•   A to do list can help reduce stress

How to create a To Do List

• Create a master list with ALL of your activities and tasks that you need to complete
• Break large projects into smaller tasks
• Code the items according to priority.  For Example: A = Absolutely must complete B = Should do  C = can wait

Tips for using a daily To Do list

• Put tasks in order of importance that need to be completed
• Allocate a time frame for each task
• Include no more than two large tasks
• Try to list no more than 10 items that you aim to complete
• Include appointments and commitments to others
• Always try to leave room for interruptions and urgent items that may come up unexpectedly
• Track your time to see exactly where your time goes
• Know your energy cycles – when you are most productive and when you are not and plan your to do’s around these.
• Delegate tasks where possible
• Cross or tick tasks off once you have completed them

Bathroom Organising Tips

Step One: Clean It Out 

•  Begin by pulling EVERYTHING out of the bathroom – this will make your sorting and cleaning process easier. 
•  Clean drawers and shelving. 
• Dispose of creams, make up, hair products & various other products that you haven’t used for six months or more or have expired. 
• Dispose (or take to your local pharmacy) of medications that have expired. 
• Dispose of old razors and other items that you simply do not use any more.

Step Two: Create Extra Storage

• Only store what you use on a daily basis on (or near) the basin counter.
• Keep only what you absolutely need in the bathroom.
• Use a magazine rack for magazines.
•  It can be a good idea if you have the space to assign a shelf, drawer or container for each family member to store their personal items in.

Step Three: Organise Your Space

• Group similar items together.  For example, toothpaste, mouth wash, spare tooth brushes together; cosmetics, etc
• Make use of a shower caddy for your shower items such as body wash, shampoo, conditioner, etc.
• Hang your hair dryer on a hook to save on space
• Use wall mounted cabinets for extra storage space
•  If you are short on space you can use shooks on the back of the bathroom door for bathrobes and towels
• Dedicate a drawer or make up container for your cosmetics.