From our bills to our taxes, most of the paperwork we deal with on a regular basis has become digital. There’s one exception, though, and it throws even the most organized of us for a loop: receipts.
Whether you store receipts to help ease returns or you keep them for work reimbursement, those little slips of paper are a stumbling block in most people’s organizational lives. They don’t have to be such a hassle, though. Read on for three tips from your Boston Closet & Storage Concepts team that will help you stop losing receipts and start feeling good about your storage system.
Take paper out of the equation
Just because our receipts come in paper form doesn’t mean they need to stay that way. There are a number of tech solutions on the market that can help you transform your hardcopy receipts into digital files that are easier to store and access.
Solution: Photos & Apps
To keep the transfer process simple, you can use your phone’s camera to snap a photo of the receipt. Then, simply upload the photo to a filing system on your computer, and you’ll have a digital copy in a matter of seconds. If you’re more tech-savvy, consider investigating some of the app options available for iPhone or Android. Apps can streamline the process of capturing and storing digital receipts.
Make your files functional
Solution: A Strong Filing System
A filing system is only as good as the categories it houses. Make the process of storing and retrieving receipts easy on yourself by creating categories that make sense to you. You might choose to sub-divide your receipts by month, by the type of good purchased (for example: groceries, clothing, pet supplies, etc.), or by the receipt’s function (“for taxes,” “for work,” or “for returns”). If you’re an organizational wizard, you might combine all three of our examples. For some storage enthusiasts, the best way to file might be by function, and then by good type, and finally by the month when the good was purchased. Whatever system you choose, it should be simple for you to understand and operate.
Set timeframes
Solution: Review Receipts and Purge
The different categories of receipts in your life have different storage expiration dates. In general, beyond crucial identification documents like your birth certificate, marriage license, and social security card, most documents only need to be stored for a maximum of three years. Set timeframes that make sense for your receipts and then mark cleaning days on your calendar. We recommend setting an appointment to review your receipts at least once a year.
We hope these tips help you streamline your receipt organization and find a system that works for you. For more storage and organization tips, visit Closet & Storage Concepts of Massachusetts Today! We specialize in creating custom organization systems that fit into your busy life.
Photo: © Twoellis.