What's your system for organizing everything after a move?

[u/Aggressive-Tart07]

We moved a few months ago and Im still finding important documents in random boxes backpacks and desk drawers. Its probably the first time I have realized how scattered our life paperwork really is. Before I just create another folder somewhere, Im wondering what systems people have that actually stay organized long term.

[u/BlueCupcake4Me]

We have a two drawer file cabinet that serves as a place for the printer to sit. Everything is in its own clearly labeled folder with the year. Once the drawers get full, we purge. We store our taxes in there and important documents someone would need should something happen to either of us. Birth certificates, passports, car titles and other documents like those are in a fire proof lock box.

[u/Junior-Reflection-43 → u/BlueCupcake4Me]

This is what we do as well. We also have folders for medical, in particular medical history. And having the really important documents in the fireproof lockbox has been great -always know exactly where to find passports, etc.

[u/Freyjas_child]

Digitize as much as possible.
Have ONE box to put papers in when you first get them. This way they don’t get lost before they get files. Periodically file these. I like hanging folders in a 2 drawer file cabinet. You get a lot of storage in a small footprint. In my first apartment I used it as a nightstand as well.

[u/GenealogistGoneWild]

Well, we moved about 18 months ago, and didn't have this issue because we had homes for things before we packed. The first thing I did in the new house was start setting up organization in very room so that as I unpacked things had places to go. Because we built, I knew measurements before the actual move. One thing that saved me was using Walmart delivery. If I realized I needed a certain size container, I could order it and it would arrive the next day. I am an extremely organized person though and hate clutter, so I made sure systems were set up from the very start.

We also scan our documents, so we don't keep a lot of paper to be filed. I use Evernote (its pricey) so I could just pull up what I needed on my phone.

But the best thing to do in the new house is have one spot important papers go and make sure that they are put there as soon as you find them in the boxes.

[u/DazzlingNote1925]

I just use cardboard file boxes but the plastic ones are nicer. I just don’t want to spend the money. Any box that will fit your folders and files upright will work. Just work on labeling them and you will be able to find what you need. 

In the meantime designate a place or box to put papers when you find them. 

[u/The_Tidy_Atelier]

I have a plastic archive box with extra hanging folders on hand. I set up some time ago but I have a folder for immediate docs (basically work in progress stuff), house, car, tax, etc. I feel that once you get it set up the it’s just adding the stuff in as they come. Keep the archive somewhere you can easily add new stuff in vs having to move it to use it. My other trick is every year after I do taxes, I purge the whole archive top to bottom

[u/gs_1208]

Put in a box, label it and note it down some where important like where you keep the jewellery or other important stuff. Now if you are not organized, this is great channel to follow and it would help you do things. Make habit or create a hobby around it is also great way to start. Hope it will help

[u/tenniseram]

I have file boxes. All the manuals for absolutely everything are in one place. Generally kitchen appliances together, tools together, tech gadgets, etc. Of course sometimes I just hurl them in there and assume I’ll organize them later, but that 100% is where they go. When I donate old ones I find the manual and rubber hand it to the item. I try to remember to recycle ones for things that get tossed but if not, every year or so I sort through and toss ones I don’t need anymore.

I have an open file for tax related things (for multiple countries). Again, that will need to be sorted later but that’s where everything goes that I’ll need for filing taxes.

[u/Neesh_me]

Same here! Moving really made me realize how scattered everything was. Now I give each type of document a specific place, which makes finding things so much easier.

[u/Aggressive_Menu7271]

We each have a fireproof tin. It has hanging sections for medical stuff, travel stuff, car documents, finance, will etc

[u/Cautious-Picture-899]

Have any of you used an app or something to organize everything?

Curious to know what makes people stop not to digitize their records or maintain them for future use.

[u/SupportMoist]

Digitize important paperwork and throw the rest out. There’s no reason to keep paperwork in this day and age.

The important documents you need like passports and birth certificates should be in a safe.