http://unclutterer.com/discuss/tags/paper The community for people interested in home and office organizing. en-US Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:42:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://unclutterer.com/discuss/search.php http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/overwhelmed-by-paper#post-44823 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:14:22 +0000 lindsay4 44823@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Hello all - I have decided this is the time to get my home organized. I have many books about decluttering. I'm sick of looking around my apartment and feeling stressed out by all the stuff. But -I'm completely overwhelmed by paper. The past few weekends I've had every intention of setting aside a day to get started decluttering, but I'm having a heck of a time because it's so overwhelming. I have graduate school notebooks, books, binders, things from college (over 10 years old), not to mention everything else. I don't have a car so I can't lug stuff away to donate. I live in a one-bedroom apartment so even finding space for a staging area is a challenge. Has anyone else struggled with this? What helped you? Thanks! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/how-to-handle-backlog-of-docs-that-should-be-shredded#post-39075 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:08:43 +0000 lindsay34 39075@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>First time poster here. </p> <p>I am working to declutter my apartment but have YEARS worth of documents that need to be shredded. (for example, I have boxes of old credit card offers, etc. that I've meant to shred but hadn't gotten around to and they accumulated). I spent one evening trying to shred documents or stamp out my personal info, but barely made a DENT. Have other people been in this position? What have others done? Any tips?</p> <p>I live in a city and don't have a car so driving to Office Max to shred is not an option.</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/recycling-and-craft#post-37045 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:30:18 +0000 lottielot 37045@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I was at a local arts centre tonight and there was an exhibition in one room. Most of the stuff was extremely dull but the stuff made from rolled paper was absolutely amazing: the coolest waste paper basket made from rings of rolled up paper (meant ironically? But it was also beautiful), an incredible tank made with paper, lots of bowls, a sun ray clock with a CD centre etc etc. I was amazed how clever it all was, and all made from old magazines. I googled it when we got home and found stuff about paper beads being made by social enterprises, what a fab idea to turn rubbish into something beautiful and with value. Here's one link I found:<br /> <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/crafts/articles/2010/08/27/20100827rolled-paper-crafts.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/crafts/articles/2010/08/27/20100827rolled-paper-crafts.html</a><br /> I know plenty of people who are crafty and environmentally conscious but also want to be uncluttered struggle with: 'but I could use that for something'. This seems like a great craft for that scenario: no shortage of paper anywhere! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/the-files-and-procrastination#post-20200 Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:25:10 +0000 ninakk 20200@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I like my ringbinders. Right now I've pared down documents to keep in only two of them, while others (not necessary to keep as originals) are waiting elsewhere to be scanned. There are some more documents in those two ringbinders that I know for sure can be chucked out, just didn't have the time to go through them in greater detail. I've decided that one or two will be enough for me, and an equal amount for DH. On top of those we have the ongoing year's papers in two short-term archives. Papers are my weakness and I refuse to buy extra storage space or to modify my office somehow; I don't like the hanging folders at all, but see how they can benefit someone else, especially if they are physically within one feet from you. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/alternative-solution-for-paper-clutter#post-19872 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:30:45 +0000 Scottland 19872@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>For a few years I've been keeping many, many papers well-organized in binders. As a designer and director I've been keeping magazine pages, scripts, librettos, and rehearsal notes for future reference. Last week I threw out two binders of photos and drawings after scanning them, but for the annotated scripts and notes of past shows I went to Fed Ex Kinkos to be bound properly like a book. For about $3 each I now have black vinyl covers front and back with a fabric covered spine. They store flat on the bookshelf, unlike a binder, probably taking-up a third the space, shorter, shallower, thinner, and square. Needless to say they are easier to thumb through, though they don't lay open as flat as a binder (a spiral spine is another option). Over the black I labelled them with silver ink. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/old-journals#post-18625 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 10:55:00 +0000 themusiclivez 18625@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I know that we have all discussed getting rid of old journals before. I am curious to know how many of you have gotten rid of all of your old journals. About a year and a half ago I shredded all but one, with the exception of about 20 entries that I chose to keep.</p> <p>I am going through them again (after being inspired by another thread on this forum) and found that while some of them make me smile, the majority of the entries I have left just make me cringe. I shredded a few and am thinking of destroying all of them.</p> <p>Have any of you gotten rid of all of your journals? How do you feel about it? </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/what-is-your-clutter-vice-why#post-11072 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:59:51 +0000 ClutterPounds 11072@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Today I decided to sort through boxes from my old storage unit. I closed it years ago and the boxes have been sitting taking up space. I emptied everything onto the floor and began rummaging/sorting. That's when I noticed it. </p> <p>My clutter vice: cookie tins, cute little metal tins, plastic bead organizers, all kinds of compact storage systems</p> <p>I think I like storage items because I like to organize things in pretty containers. Yes, I'm an "organized clutterbug" LOL. Everything fits in a tiny home and the cookie tins are nice to look at &amp; serve a purpose. As for the plastic bead organizers, I prefer the flat rectangular boxes with hinged lids (usually $2-$3). Ohhh how the little compartments are great for storing small items (more clutter, ha!) and you can neatly stack the organizers. Looking back on it, I've always been drawn to these items whether I was at a yardsale, church sale, thrift shop or retail holiday aisles. Now that I've realized my vice I think the clutter will greatly reduce.</p> <p>Anyway, my vice/realization is probably strange but I thought this would be an interesting discussion. :)</p> <p>So what is your clutter vice?<br /> And why?</p> <p>~Gypsy </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/the-paperless-office#post-17138 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:47:56 +0000 rw86347 17138@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>About 3 years ago when I started working for home part time I realized I couldn't carry a file cabinet back and forth, so I started keeping all important items in an electronic format. My only exception was a small black notebook</p> <p>About 2 years ago I started using Evernote. Every bookmark, important PDF, and picture started going into evernote! Sweet service. I hope the make tons of money! </p> <p>This last year I started scanning my mail via fuji snapscan into Evernote. Now every piece of mail that enters my house either goes into the trash or into the scanner and then into the shredder. I don't keep a paper filing cabinet. That scanner is amazing!</p> <p>Still I always kept a pad of paper around for meeting notes, which I then scanned and tossed. Last night I finally found a stylus that works for the ipad. Now I can simply jot down notes on the ipad and save them to evernote.</p> <p>No more paper for any reason! </p> <p>What about printing, you say? ... I print to ACTprinter on my ipad. Why carry paper?</p> <p>What about good old fashioned books? ... I took about 3/4 of my books, cut off the binding, and scanned them into searchable PDF files. BTW Kinkos will cut off the bindings for $1.50.</p> <p>So how does it work?</p> <p>I am currently refinancing a house. my banks called and asked for two bank statements. I typed in the two bank names into evernote and then hit the email button. Within 3 mins of her request she had the docs she needed. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/paper-my-biggest-problem#post-731 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:52:30 +0000 Claycat 731@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Paper, in all of its manifestations, is my biggest problem. Photographs, cards, letters, memorabilia, receipts, old bills, tax stuff, etc. are a huge source of irritation. I have trouble making decisions, and I am very sentimental. I have gotten better about dealing with business type papers. However, the sentimental stuff is still a major problem. I have sorted it out into files pretty well. I just have to unclutter those files. Plus, I am an artist, so I have art paper, too. I also have a lot of books. However, I have to give myself credit. I have about half as many books as I used to have. I have become a regular patron at the library. So, I feel like I'm on my way, but I'm still a long way from the finish line. (I realize there will never completely be a finish, because paper keeps coming into our lives.)</p> <p>I'm also forgetting that junk mail, too. I do have two paper recycling bins, and I take these to our recycling center regularly.</p> <p>I've been reading the posts about scanning, which is a great idea. I can do some of that on my printer, but I can't afford a scanning service.</p> <p>On top of my paper clutter, I have been having to deal with my MIL's clutter, because she has moved to assisted living. I got rid of a lot of her things in two estate sales, and I have some I'm planning to sell on ebay, but there are boxes of her paper memorabilia and old business papers. She has a ton of medical stuff, because she has so many medical problems. I am also taking care of her current bills, and her bank accounts.</p> <p>EEEEEK! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/claycats-challenge-the-house-project-deadline-january-10#post-1136 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:36:26 +0000 Claycat 1136@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>This project in simply to put this house in order.</p> <p>This is my mother-in-law's house. We are going to put it up for sale some time in February. The first thing I have to do is put it in order, so we will stop bumping into things. We moved in here in the summer. There were probably three times the items in here that there are now. Some of it is still in the smaller house where we lived. Much of it has been sold at two estate sales, and many boxes have been donated to a women's shelter thrift shop. Remaining items, of hers, are going to be put on ebay this month. Then I will see what I can sell of mine. (I would donate it, but we need the money.) In the meantime, I have to deal with my own stuff, too. Much paper has to be dealt with. I know what I have to do, but any suggestions would be very welcome. The thing I need most is moral support! Some days are so discouraging, and I really get down in the dumps.</p> <p>I'm so glad I have this place where I can be accountable in a pleasant way! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/thousands-of-pages-of-documents-an-easy-way-to-unclutter#post-9134 Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:25:03 +0000 WesternActor 9134@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>As part of my work over the last 9 or 10 years, I have accumulated literally thousands (maybe tens of thousands, I'm afraid to count) of pages of documents that contain information I feel is too valuable to just throw away. But it's gotten to the point where all of these documents have begun edging me out of my apartment--they take up literally a third of my bedroom and now a significant portion of the living room as well. I've started to scan them, but it's a very slow process, since we only have one scanner at work, it's not very fast, and it doesn't duplex, and between half and two-thirds of the pages I need scanned are double-sided.</p> <p>What's the best way to deal with? Can I take all these documents (they're not sensitive) to a Kinko's or a Staples or a place like that and have them do it for me? If so, what's the best place to go, and what's it likely to cost? I don't want to lose all this information, but I simply can't have it around anymore in the form it's been in for the past decade.</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>--Matthew </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/looking-for-suggestions-for-short-term-paper-storage#post-8924 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:36:10 +0000 RebeccaL 8924@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Hi-My biggest clutter issue has been paper. I've tackled the long-term storage (was able to gather everything I needed for my re-fi in 15 minutes-yeah!), but I haven't found a solution for the short term papers. Ex: the refund I need to file, the receipt for the item to return, coupon to download free songs, etc. These are items that need action vs. storage, and usually need action within 30 days. They need to be visible (so I don't forget and miss out on the deadlines), but "floating" around the house isn't helping! I've used a clear plastic divided organizer, but that didn't work for me. Any other ideas? Thanks! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/advice-for-organizing-books-articles-etcfor-a-dissertation#post-5269 Tue, 18 May 2010 07:07:03 +0000 tracylee 5269@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I am working on a dissertation and overwhelmed by paper and files. I don't want electronic versions of things only (I like to read and take notes from the paper files). I often just move and shift my papers when I should be writing, so I know I need a new system. </p> <p>Advice for organizing and keeping on task? Thanks! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/clutter-of-writing-things-down#post-164 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:17:23 +0000 brw 164@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I have (what I think) is a unique problem of writing things down and making lists. I use many different papers (looseleaf, blank white, spiral notebook, 3-ring binders, post its, 3x5 cards, etc). </p> <p>I end up writing things in different places, then I'll decide to just use one, and transcribe everything from one to the other, then I'm at work and don't have my notebook or 3-ring binder with me, so I use lined paper to make the day's notes, or to-do list....then sometimes when I get home, I don't even take out the paper to utilize the lists, thoughts, etc.</p> <p>I've tried online, using email, organizers, and nothing seems to work....I have an iphone, and have tried the to-do sites that even have iphone apps....</p> <p>I always say I'm a highly organized person on the inside, but outwardly when it comes to this type of paper clutter, I cannot seem to tackle it....</p> <p>I will add that while some of the things get done, most don't...my lists include everything from what I need to do today, to things that I am thinking about doing, random thoughts, etc...</p> <p>Then there's the bills and other paperwork.....</p> <p>Anyone else have these experiences? Or have you found a solution?</p> <p>Tired of it!! ;-) </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/is-anyone-else-surprised-at-how-many-things-theyve-been-getting-rid-of-lately#post-1565 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:28:34 +0000 themusiclivez 1565@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I find that even when I think I'm super "uncluttered", I still end up with a massive bag of items to bring to Goodwill. Where do all of these things come from? And the sad thing is that I know there are many more things that can go! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/bye-bye-fax-machine#post-255 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:53:26 +0000 EraserGirl 255@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I use faxes in my home office to communicate with my vendors. Some of them are on different time zones and I like them to have a hard copy document in their hands so there are no questions about my order. </p> <p>I removed my house phone line when I moved my credit card processing online. I also moved my faxing online. No more honking huge fax machine, no more cartridges, and rolls of paper and spam faxes for all natural viagra. Not paying for a basic house phone line($30) more than makes up for the 10 dollars a month it costs me for the service. </p> <p>I love online faxing (i wish i got a kickback for mentioning it) I chose MyFax.com but there are several services out there. I create documents, work orders, memos etc.. usually saved as .docs and .pdfs; then I fax using their website. It gives me my own fax number to print on my materials. When receiving faxes they get forwarded to me as pdfs attached to an email in my inbox.</p> <p>the BEST part is that the retain a copy of the faxes incoming and outgoing (you can choose for how long or not at all) so that you can resend a fax with a click. you can also scroll back and see exactly what you sent and when. That has saved my butt a couple of times. </p> <p>BTW I save a TON of paper using this method. </p>