3. Then further break down SUB-categories even smaller if you need to. For example, Banking might be broken down into Checking, Savings, and Money Market. Investments might be broken down into Stocks and 401K. See how that works? This level of information should be either in its own hanging folder with plastic tab all way to RIGHT side, or you can also use manila folders inside hanging folder called Banking, and just write names of each account on manila folder.

The thing to remember about creating a filing system is that it's crucial that words you choose are relevant to you and way you think. If you never use word "finances" in your vocabulary, then don't write it on a file folder, choose something that is more your style, such as "money". If you aren't inclined to say "automobile" but rather, "car", then choose "car" for your file name. The reason that language is so important is because filing is all about retrieval and not about storage. The question to ask yourself isn't "where should I keep this?" but rather, "how will I think of this so I can find it again?"

Using above tips to set up an intuitive filing system will make retrieval of information fast and easy.

Monica Ricci has been an organizing specialist since 1999, and her motivational presentations teach effective organizing and simplifying techniques for home and work. She also offers free email tips and ideas on how to make life simpler and more organized. Her topics include clutter control, paper management, time management, organizing space and procrastination.Contact Monica at 770-569-2642 or Monica@CatalystOrganizing.com.

You simply mark in your calendar date you wish to take action and what action will be (ex: September 5, Marketing Seminar at Hilton) then you make an ?H? next to what you?ve written, which is a visual indicator that information pertaining to this event is living in your Holding file. The key to using your Holding file effectively is that you must use it in conjunction with your calendar. It?s a dual system: note in calendar reminds you of action you need to take, and ?H? next to note reminds you of where details of information are being stored. Once action is taken, remove physical information from Holding file and either file it or throw it away.

Some examples of what to keep in a Holding file:

·Airline tickets and itineraries ·Event or seminar invitations ·Directions to events ·Letters to follow-up on ·Auto tag registration

In short, your Holding file is a temporary home for anything with an action deadline either in near or distant future. The system gives you a way to safely put things out of your mind until it?s necessary to think of them again, thereby freeing your mind up to focus on your immediate priorities.

Monica Ricci has been an organizing specialist since 1999, and her motivational presentations teach effective organizing and simplifying techniques for home and work. She also offers free email tips and ideas on how to make life simpler and more organized. Her topics include clutter control, paper management, time management, organizing space and procrastination.Contact Monica at 770-569-2642 or Monica@CatalystOrganizing.com.