Paper Organizing Tip 4: Establish a spot for incoming paper.

Paper clutter often begins when new paper comes into the home. If you don’t have a specified place for all your to-be-processed paper, the result is that it stacks up haphazardly on any flat surface or on top of yesterdays (or last week’s) stack. The first line of defense for paper clutter is to stop it where it begins: right when it comes in to your home. Do this by establishing a single collection spot for all of your incoming paper. You can use a traditional in-box, a plastic tray designed for serving food, a magazine box or even a wicker basket. Select a container that works well in the space where your paper typically lands today. If you handle your paper in a different location from this landing spot, choose a portable container for collection.

What works for you? Do you have a designated spot for incoming paper? What type of container do you use and where is it located? I'd love to hear!

Comments

[Erin K]

I totally agree with this tip. My husband deals with the mail these days. After relocating his office to the basement (arrival of baby #2) the mail would lay EVERYWHERE! I found a metal Easter tin on clearance for $.35 spray painted it black and hung it at the top of the stairs. After 2 days my husband now takes the mail straight there!

[Jeri Dansky]

I have a lovely basket from Cost Plus World Market in my home office for all to-be-processed paper. The pure junk mail - I don't get much, but there's some - gets put in recycling in the garage and never makes it into the house. But all the rest goes in that basket.

[Lowbudget]

Using the magazine holder is a neat idea. I get several magazines and a lot of mail. I just inherited one of these mag holders from my mom. I will be using it for the mail and incoming papers. Great idea! Thanks a lot.

[Krystina Montemurro]

YIKES! That's a biggie for me. I really need to "establish a spot for incoming paper"!!!!!! I have an "in box" that has been full for months- not really using it properly! And I have a file on my desk that I use properly but not right away so things pile up on there and on my desk. I like the idea of a magazine holder - it works and it's cute. Now I just have to make myself DO it :) Thanks for the inspiration Aby.

[Mandy]

I'm in the same situation as Krystina. I have a wicker basket that I purchased to use as an inbox, but it really isn't being used properly. I have a real tendency to let mail sit on the counter until I feel like dealing with it. But then the counter has become a catch-all for everything. So this is something I really need to work on.

[Jen]

I have a wicker in-basket that sits on the floor of my husbands home office. ALL mail goes directly in there. Once a week I will go through the mail and purge the recyclables and put bills in a folder that stays in the basket. When it's time to pay bills I just bring the basket into the kitchen and put it back in the office when I am done.

[Karen Emerson]

I have an inbox on my desk and I follow the "put everything here" rule. I'm amazed though at what happens if I miss a day of "processing!" I get behind and feel completely disorganized! Even if it's a valid excuse like being sick!

[Marcia]

I like the picture you posted of the upright file bin. I need to rethink the beautiful wire basket I used. It was too big and holds too much and I'd leave paper in there way too long and lose things. Time for a change.

[larissa cookson]

Great tip! When it comes to getting rid of clutter my biggest challenge has been finding a good place to have it sit and wait 'to be processed' but I found that having a drawer or bin right by the door has worked best for me.

[Heidi]

I am moderately proud of my paper-processing skills. I sort through it every weekend, but it still is an eye sore, sprawled out on my dresser.

I love the holder in your picture. Where did you purchase it?

[Aby]

@ Heidi,

I found it at Target...last year sometime. :)

Aby

[Carol]

My inbox is just a folder we call action folder. The folders segregate which paper goes where. Either for shredding or for filing.

[Carol]

My inbox is just a folder we call action folder. The folders segregate which paper goes where. Either for shredding or for filing.