RETREAT & REGROUP II

Organize, De-Clutter, Maintain Sanity

FINANCIAL FILES

*I am assuming that my previous blog today was read before this one.  

This post will finish up with the financial file drawer*

Finances is my greatest despair.  I have been known to get hysterical just assembling W-2s and 1099s for my tax man.  However, I have a filing system that helps keep papers in order.

READY?

Here goes:

Alphabetically arranged fundamentals

Hanging FILE with Sub-Folders:

AUTOMOBILE

Insurance & Registration

Maintenance

Fuel reciepts (optional)

(Pink slips are kept in a fire-proof safe)

BANK ACCOUNTS

Separate folder for each bank (for transaction receipts, etc)

CREDIT CARDS

Separate folder for each credit card (holds statements, cards, user names)

INCOME

Separate folder for each type of income

Mine includes:

Retirement

Social Security

eXtra income (like tutoring, craft sales, etc.)

Tithing & Charitable Contributions

 

INVESTMENTS

Separate folder for each stock, IRA, etc.

HOUSE

Home Insurance 

House Taxes

Mortgage {Deeds are filed in a fire-proof safe} 

HOME MAINTENANCE

Home Improvements (includes receipts for remodeling , updates & other improvements)

Lawn & Garden

Pool Maintenance

Plumbing & Electrical

Pest Control

MEDICAL / DENTAL

Health insurance [medical & dental plans, Medicare, etc.]

*Note:  You may want to have a separate folder for each person in the household.

Chiropractic (My personal favorite)

Dental bills, invoices & records

Medical bills, invoices & records

Vision records

PERSONAL (aka General Household)

Clothing

Food & Household (cleaning/maintenance items)

Toiletries

Gifts (birthday, Christmas, including cards)

Miscellaneous 

Office supplies (printer ink, paper, etc.)

UTILITIES
Cable
Cell Phone
Electric (may include water and city services)
Gas
Internet service

TAXES
Income tax forms
Tax service information
Last year's tax return
(After taxes are filed I box up all receipts for that year, label the box and shelve it for seven years.)

There you have it.
Next installment:  What to do with warranty info and receipts for appliances, etc.