I use only left tab folders for my files. It allows me to quickly scan the titles of each folder, riffling along without having to look left, middle, right, or haphazardly back and forth as I go through the drawer.

It really helps to to file new items, since I don't have to look for the correct tab position folder to place a new folder in.

A couple years ago, my husband and I made a New Years Resolution to get our filing and bills organized and under control.

We went out and bought some 13 pocket folders, a pocket for each month, plus one. Bills go into the front pocket as they come in, and then after they're completed/paid, they get filed in their month's pocket. Our taxes for that year and other annual papers go into the front pocket when they come in.

The next year, we bought a new, identical folder, and started over. It is suggested that you keep most normal financial papers for 3 years (and some longer), so when we got to our third year, we emptied out the 1st folder, saved what they recommend you keep for longer and started over.

This system (which I'm probably not describing very clearly) has kept us organized. We haven't had a late/lost bill in over 3 years, since we both know where the bills need to go when they come in, and where the ones that need to be paid are at. Plus, it battled and killed the monster that used to live on and clutter up our desk.

I LOVE how these new products are see-through. It would make it so quick and easy to see exactly what you had where!

Paper management is the worst. I scan as much as I can --though I rarely seem to later need those documents I thought were so important.  By culling out a lot through scanning, it's easier to organize and find the papers that remain.

Deb
www.debontherocks.com blog
www.3smartgirlz.com consulting

A roll of Press-and-Seal wrap is great for travel!

An instant airplane tray placemat

Wrap up leftovers

Close the bottle of shampoo that leaks

Seal important papers from water or wear

Use your imagination! 

I bought clear see through containers ranging for shoebox size to 18 gallon tubs.  It's much easier to find what you're looking for when you can see them in the containers!

I would like to say that I have a tip, but my only real tip is very hard for me to follow.  I "try" to do the "touch everything only once" rule, but it's not something that works very naturally for me.  I might just read all the other tips to get some ideas!

Linsey Knerl

Blogging about finance for real people, and raising 4 little humans as I go!

I use multiple highlighters and post it notes.

I highlight the text out of the article I think is interesting in case I want to come back to it later and I use the post it notes for questions or to document the concepts I want to look into further. Same thing with colored pens.

VickyH

http://RemarkableParents.com 

My labelmaker is my best friend! I use it to make laels that are concise and spell out everything that they are supposed to label. That way there isn't any confusion on what goes where because of someone's quirky known only to them nicknames. 

Condo Blues http://condo-blues.blogspot.com/

I think it's much easier to be organized if you see the beauty in it - seriously.  I love an attractive filing or storage system and find it a pleasure to use.  That's the key for me - make it attractive and keep it attractive.  (And this [IN]PLACE System is certainly my style!)  Being organized is efficient, of course, but there is also a zen beauty in it.

We all know how expensive groceries are these days.  As a matter of fact, everything is more expensive.  I clip coupons in order to combat these rising costs.  I keep all of them in my coupon organizer that I bought from Office Max.  It allowed me to customize it with tabs for easy access.  Without it, I would be more in debt than I already am.

I have a trash can by my desk just for recycling paper. This way I'm encouraged to go through all the paperwork I receive in the mail and from my children's school - and make sure that anything non-essential immediately gets tossed into it!

I got this tip from Peter Walsh, actually.  Give your kid(s) a folder of their own for artwork and limit the artwork you keep to whatever will fit in that folder.  The kid gets to choose which ones to keep and which ones to recycle (I also let them take a photo of it before it gets tossed if they are really having a hard time parting with it).  It shifts the responsibility to them -- so far, it has worked like a charm!

I go through the mail as soon as I take it out of the mailbox and sort it. Otherwise it sits on the bar in my kitchen for weeks. I have been looking for an attractive system to use for the mail that doesn't get pitched and this looks perfect! I would adore it!

I use a lot of binders because they take up so little space. I have one for my son's school papers--the calendar, class roster, any field trip notices or anything I need to hold onto. Then I have a household one, it has replaced the mess on my desk--meal plan, birthday lists, medical info, etc.

My best organizational tip is to limit the amount of things that you have to organize in the first place! (i.e. do you really need to print out that email & file it? are you ever really going to use that random piece of info that you filed, etc.)

I'm addicted to  making sure I throw things away and using my label maker. 

[Blog]

I'm horrible about organizing. I have very limited desk space and it's in the kitchen so it becomes the catch all for everyone's stuff that was originally left on the kitchen table.

To add to the problem, I'm a packrat... a keeper.  I hate throwing things away if I think they have any sentimental value.  The other day, I heard my 6 year old say to my 4 year old "Can you throw this in the 'cycling bin for me please?"  She was referring to a Thank You note she received from a classmate.  They're also not sensitive to schoolwork going in the bin.  If it has their handprint or some particular milestone, I keep it but other than that, they show it off then send it away.  Thank goodness they have more sense than I do! 

Nicole
Personal Blog:  SAHM Ramblings
Review/Giveaway Blog:  SAHM Reviews

 I make an index card each night for the following day, with all my to-dos for the day, including any phone numbers for calls I need to make, appt times, etc. I carry it in the front pocket of my purse and try to get each item crossed out by the end of the day. Whatever is left, I simply move to the next day's card.

http://sliceofpink.typepad.com

Crystal H.

htt://site4teachers.blogspot.com

I organize my clothes by color, and in categories of skirts, capris, pants, sleeveless shirts, spaghetti strap shirts, short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts!

I have a standard shopping list for a few key stores for my house and home businesses that I keep on a clipboard.  I check off things as we need them and shopping is a lot easier.

involves stacks or piles, and knowing which of them an item is in. It's not for everyone, but it works for me.

Okay, I won't lie.  I'm not as organized as I'd like to be.  I tend to use the kids as an excuse for my disorganization but they REALLY do add to the chaos in the house, lol.  I do keep all my important documents in a locked file cabinet that is in somewhat of an order...I give myself a pat on the back for that.  =)

www.seedlingsinbloom.blogspot.com

I keep all of my files electronically and organize them in easy-to-access folders on my desktop.

http://www.feministreview.org

I love file boxes. I have 5 of them for different things. Also, a memo board that helps remind me of to dos and what I need to organize.

www.naturallife101.com

if it wasnt for my blackberry my life would be very unorganized. It helps me remember friends and family birthdays, appts, to do lists, emails and much much more!

Get rid of the clutter! It makes organizing SO much easier!!

I have about 20 binders in cabinet in my kitchen where I organize important papers.  Some examples include: recipes (clipped out of magazines and newspapers), medical info, finances, decorating ideas, beauty ideas, etc. 

Also, I have a filing cart in our office where I file important papers alphabetically. I try to purge those files once a year, shredding anything that I don't need to keep long term.

I'm always open to new organizing ideas!!!