One of the best ways to get all of the family clutter under control is to
set up a family paper management centre. This is your family office,
situated in a spot where all of the family members old enough to write can
get to it. Ideally, it should be near the telephone your family uses most
often - probably in or near the kitchen. Your family office should
include at least the following:
 aa good calendar
acoloured markers - assign one colour per family member, and a colour
to signify whole family activities
aa family phone book, with the phone numbers of friends and family
handy
apens, paper for messages
aa family tickler file - to set one up, find a space you can set a
desk top file holder, 5 or 6 hanging files, and some file folders. You
will need file folders numbered 1 to 31, January to December, 1 "to be
filed" plus a couple of extras for back to school, vacations, holiday
celebrations. As paper comes into the house, file it in the appropriate
spot. For example, if you pay bills on the 15th of each month, file your
bills in the number 15 file, then they will all be ready and together for
you to pay them. Put invitations, appointment reminders, school notices,
etc. all in the appropriate date. (Write the info on the calendar too -
but keep the paper for directions, phone numbers, details) Each day, take
the file for that date, see what you must do, and then file it at the back
of the numbered files. Once a month file anything you have put in the
monthly file into the appropriate daily file. Set aside a time each day
to check your files, and be consistent! If you are checking your files in
the evening it is a good idea to file everything at least one day ahead,
then you will see your reminders in time!
Some clients have set up the family office in drawers, or inside
cupboards. If you are lucky enough to have file drawers in your kitchen
this could be the best use for them ever! Take advantage of them, and
don't fill them up with paper that you only look at once a year. The
kitchen is one of the most frequently used rooms in your house, it should
house only your most frequently used items.
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It seems too early to be thinking Christmas, but that's what we've been
doing here at OrganizeMe101.com. The 2001 Edition of our Christmas
Planner is hot off the presses and ready to help you plan your most
organized, least stressful Christmas ever. This year's edition includes
Tips and Hints to Make Christmas more Enjoyable, menu planners, baking
planners, gift lists, an 8 week Christmas countdown and more. And for
only $12 plus that is quite a deal! If you're interested in more
information, or to order your copy now let me know at laurene@organizeme101.com
Also, let me know if there are any topics you would like
to see addressed
in the newsletter - we're growing fast, and I want to make sure that the
newsletter serves you well.
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Happy Organizing,
Laurene Livesey Park
Want more great tips? Check our Newsletter archives:
(please note that these are old pages - not all links from them are current)
February 2001: Time for hobbies, space for photos.
March 2001: Family organizing tips.
May 2001: Seasonal clothes switch tips.
Summer 2001: Simplify your life!
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