PAPER CHASE
How to end the paper pileup
BY:MARY ELIZABETH TERZELLA
Try these fast fixes for handling all that paperwork that may be ruling—and ruining—too many hours of your life:
Follow the "from the mail to pail" rule. After getting it from the mailbox, go through it over the wastebasket and recycling container so you can discard unwanted solicitations, flyers and catalogues before they clutter up your desk or countertop (or dining-room table-we know!), advises organizing expert Harriet Schechter, author Let Go of Clutter.
Sort the rest. Use a broad sorting system for mail that requires your attention, putting it in appropriate baskets or folders. Use labels like "Bills to Pay" (save only the bill and payment envelope), "Act ASAP," "Magazines," "To Read" and "To File." Then designate a regular time to go through each, either daily or weekly, advises Donna Smallin, author of Organizing Plain & Simple.
Rip out articles of interest. To reduce that pile of magazines, set aside time each week to tear out articles you want to read, then stash them in a "To Read" file, or tuck one or two in your handbag to read when you're stuck in an endless line or cooling your heels at the doctor's office.
Make periodic purges. Give yourself a deadline. If you haven't read those saved articles within six months, toss them out.
Don't print emails. You probably don't need a hard copy of most emails, says Smallin. Store those you want to save in folders on your computer.