Do you have papers everywhere?

It is so confusing to find a paper that y ou need.  Most people file "last date on top" and end up with a whole pile of miscellaneous information.  A better way is to buy a box of manilla folders ($5-6) and make up file folders and store in a box, a filing cabinet, or a drawer.  Nothing is worse than needing a document and being faced with a huge stack of mismatched papers.  Here is a general outline for making up your files.  Use this list as a beginning and then add whatever your household needs to keep organized:

A General
     Address Lists
     Automobile -1
     Automobile -2
 B General
     Bank - Checking
     Bank - Savings
     Bank - Debit Card
     Bank - Credit Card (if at a bank)
     Birth Certificates
     Budget Plan/Finances planning
C General
     Child #1 _______
     Child #2 _______
     Child #3 _______
     Civic Association  
     Contributions
     Credit Card #1 ______
D General
     Doctor/Dental
E General
     Employment records #1 _____
     Employment records #2 _____
F General
G General
     Gift information (family and friends)
H General
     Home General
     Home - Appliances & Equipment Warranties
     Home - Small appliances, toys, etc. warranties
     Home - Gas
     Home - Electric
     Home - Telephone
     Home - Cell phones
     Home - Mortgage Company
     Home - Yard and Gardening
     Home - Previously sold properties
I General
     Immunization records
     Income Tax - previous years
     Income Tax - this year
     Insurance - Automobile
     Insurance - Home
     Insurance - Home contents (or renters insurance)
     Insurance - Life #1
     Insurance - Term
     Insurance - Medical
J General
K General
L General
M General
     Magazines, newspapers & Associations
N General
O General
P General
     Powers of attorney
Q General
R General
     Retirement information
S General
     Safe Deposit Box information
     School Information
     Social Security Information
     Stocks,  Bonds & Royalties
T General
     Travel
U & V General
     Veteranian
W General
     Wills (copy)
X - Y - Z General

Use whatever files benefit your home system  Add your own file needs to this list, cross off what you don't need and then assemble your own filing system. 

**  Another really important organizational item for me is to have a "bill box"  - a specific place where all important mail (bills, checks, short term special information) is put immediately upon entry to the house.  It should be an important hands-off location that no one messes with.  It saves so much time and anxiety when its time to pay the bill or execute the action.