This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fellowes Brands for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don't know about you, but the holiday season always sends my home into disarray. In fact, one of my main goals as soon as the Christmas tree is put away is to focus on getting the house organized for the new year ahead. A main part of that organization is making sure our family's important papers are organized. I am talking about everything from monthly bills, to past tax returns, current receipts and even the boys homeschool portfolios. With all this paper flying this way and that, it can be hard to keep things tidy. Here are some tips I am using to help get things in order this year.

Choose a Filing System That Works for You


One person's way of organizing things does not necessarily work for everyone else. You need to find an organization system that works for you. Whether it be a system of folders, bins or boxes, making sure everything has a place to go so that there is never any doubt about where to put it, is the first step to take in organizing the paperwork in your home.

Pick a Convenient Location

Don't choose an organization system that is buried in the back of your closet. If you make the location inconvenient, you will eventually give up on organizing your paperwork and will soon find papers piling up all over the home.

Label, Label, Label


All the bins and boxes in the world will do you no good if you have to go rummaging through them to see what is inside each one. Self adhesive label stickers can be purchased at any office supply store, or you can get fancy and enlist the help of a label maker. Regardless of what label method you choose, well organized labeling systems can help make accessing important paperwork a snap. 

Purchase a Reliable Shredder


I used to think that I would have no use for a shredder, but through the past year, I have found that to be completely untrue. I have had my bank account compromised multiple times, and identity theft is a big issue nationwide. Not only can a quality shredder like the Fellowes 79Ci help you keep your important paperwork organized, but it can help you keep it safely protected from prying eyes as well.

The Fellowes 79Ci shredder is definitely the mack daddy of all shredders. It has a 100% patented jam proof system, heavy duty cross-cut blades that can handle up to 16 sheets of paper at one time and an extended 20 minute run time for increased productivity. Part of keeping our paperwork organized in the home is getting rid of outdated paperwork we no longer need. Last years home owner's insurance paperwork, my expired car registration, paid bills and tax returns from more than 3 years ago. All of these are papers I no longer need, but that I am not comfortable tossing in the trash due to the sensitive nature of the information on them. A quick trip through the shredder and they can be safely thrown away, recycled or used for a craft project.

The Fellowes 79Ci shredder operates with a super quiet SilentShred Technology and has a safety shut off for little fingers. It really is all you need to help you keep your important paperwork safe and organized. Looking to purchase a shredder of your own? The 79Ci shredder is available online at Amazon and at Office Superstores for $239.99. 

What is your favorite tip for keeping paperwork organized in the home?