Are you looking for ways to make your desk less cluttered with paper? Paper can stack up quickly and it’s not the best way to feel organized. If going paperless is one of your goals this year, then these tips are for you! So keep on reading to find out How to Go Paperless and Stay Organized. It’s easier than you think.
Get a Scanner
It will be incredibly hard to go paperless this year if you don’t invest in a scanner. There are some items that just need to be scanned in order to be filed away electronically. Compared to the price that scanners used to be, they are incredibly cheap and a small investment for a paperless office. I use my Epson WorkForce Wireless Color All-in-One Inkjet Printer with Scanner and Copier.
Take Pictures with Your Smart Phone
Now that the cloud is available, you can easily take pictures with your smart phone and store the images in the cloud. Create a folder for the important paperwork, so you can find a particular paper anytime you need it. Smart phones are a great option because it doesn’t take much to get it from a piece of paper to an electronic file. Keep in mind that you might need to take several pictures of the piece of paper just to remember exactly what it is.
Clean up the clutter with Fellowes 79Ci Shredder
I absolutely can’t stand paper clutter, it’s just one thing that gets on my nerves constantly. All the bills, credit card statements, loan documents, medical files and more is just stuff you don’t need or want lying around. I always make a pile of important documents and papers and will just rip them up page by page but this takes so much time and I needed a better solution. This is where the Fellowes 79Ci Shredder comes in handy. With the 100% Jam Proof System you can shred up to 16 sheets of paper at a time which cuts your shredding time in half. Since I’m a mom of 3 little ones with a baby on the way I need to find ways to get things done faster and this is definitely helping. Another thing I love about the shredded is it can shred up staples, paper clips, credit cards, junk mail and CDs without any jamming issues. Plus this shredder is so quiet. I have shredded tons of papers and am able to do it easily while the kids are sleeping in the next room over. This is a definite must have to get rid of Paper Clutter and get a head start on your Spring Cleaning.
Go Paperless for all of Your Bills
Although it’s nice to get a paper bill in the mail, oftentimes it just becomes clutter in your kitchen. Most companies allow a paperless bill option to be sent via email. Signing up for this option can release yourself from a ton of paper clutter.
Get Organized
After you have gone paperless, it’s important to stay organized. Set up reminders of when your bills are due, so you don’t forget to pay them. You can also stay organized making folders in your email inbox. Also, since you’ll be using the cloud now for all of your paperwork, you’ll want to label those folders as well. Staying organized from the beginning is one way to make paperless work for you.
Since going paperless I have created folders on my computer to keep all my e-papers in a safe place. There are folders for taxes, kids doctor appointments, bills and payments, school letters, veterinary appointments and lots more! I make one main folder named E-Papers and have seperate folders inside. You can never have to many folders and this is such a fun and easy way to stay organized and clutter free! My office space is now focused on more work and play.
There are several reasons to make the move to paperless. Going paperless can help you feel less stressed on a daily basis. When you store items on the computer, you can find them easier when needed. For example: when tax time rolls around and you need an important paper, you know right where to find it. Let’s not forget that going paperless is also a lot better for the environment. What tips do you have for going paperless and staying organized?
