Organizing All That Paper

I try my best to go through the mail as soon as I get it and toss the junk and file the bills, etc. I have a Picture Box that I use to store the bills that need to be paid.



The polka dot box holds my monthly budget break down, bills and calculator.


Just in case you're curious...the bottom box holds Thank You and Birthday cards.




After my bills are paid, I file the statements (and keep them for one year...then shred) in a 2-drawer file cabinet.



Not to change the subject too much, but...I mentioned in my New Year's Resolutions that I wanted to pay off debt. I have always loved Dave Ramsey and have done several of his suggestions with my money. But to help pay off more debt, I have decided to really buckle down and follow his "Envelope System". He suggests to pay most everything with cash. You set a monthly budget and put that amount of cash in envelopes. My 'envelopes' are for gifts (birthdays, etc), clothes, savings (for miscellaneous things such as car tags or a vacation), hair maintenance (come on girls, you know how important that is!), Christmas and home improvements. I won't go in to too much personal detail but so far this year, I have stuck to my monthly budget and even saved more than I planned for...paying with cash really does help my spend LESS MONEY!!! Dave says that you feel the 'sting' of the purchase way more if it is bought with cash.



Here's to hoping that those envelopes grow up to be big, fat envelopes!!