Feeling frustrated with your filing systems? Your friends at filingsupplies.com have you covered! Check out these 6 tips that will help you build a more efficient filing system...

#1 Start with a plan

Randomly adding labels to folders won't solve your problem. Make a plan before you get started and make sure you have the right supplies! All you really need are several colors of 1/3 cut tab-colored folders.

#2 Create file categories

Start sorting your documents into broad categories. For example, “finances,” “house stuff,” "car," and so on...

#3 Subcategorizing

Now, think about breaking your paper into smaller subcategories. For example, your “finances” pile could be divided into:

- savings account
- checking account
- student loan
- credit card account

#4 Color Coding

Assign each major category a color of your choice and then put each of its subcategories into an individual hanging file folder. In the example above, “finances” might be green, and each of your accounts gets a separate green file folder.

#5 Label Making

With label making, the goal is to be specific and to keep related files in close proximity to each other. Try to keep everything alphabetical. Instead of “Visa credit card,” label it “credit card: Visa.” We suggest using the Viewables Labels because they are neat, easy to read, and you can print them from your computer.

#6 Filing Your Drawer

All you have to do now is put the files within each major category in alphabetical order, and then put the major categories themselves into the drawer in alphabetical order.

Place the colored folders into hanging file folders to keep them upright in the drawer.

Whenever you need to find a document or put something in a folder - just look for the correct major category. With the right filing system, it’s easy to put your hands on the correct file without a lot of searching.