The most important rule for well-sorted documents<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\nRule No. 1: There are no loose papers. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n![\"Sorting](\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABaAAAAV4AQMAAABsA+jJAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAQxJREFUeNrtwYEAAAAAw6D5U1\/hAFUBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMBv3gUAAaGj68UAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\")
Regularly sorting your own documents saves you from chaos on your desk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nThe filing<\/h2>\n\n
As a a first place for filing you can use a<\/p>\n\n
\n- Filing tray<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Drawer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Box<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Magazine File<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Folder<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
All documents that still need to be processed are sent to this place<\/p>\n\n
\n- Open invoices<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Forms that need to be filled out and returned<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Letters you still have questions about<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
![\"Sorting](\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABaAAAAPAAQMAAAD5SkzrAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAL9JREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20MH6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB4GqbeAAFleH+xAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\")
Current documents can be stored in a filing tray until they are processed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nRule No. 2: No letter goes back into its envelope after opening. <\/strong>Once the acute documents have been processed, you have two options: You staple them into the appropriate folder immediately after processing. Or you can collect and file everything once a week or once a month. Think about what works best for you and then stick to it. <\/p>\n\n
<\/div>\n\nThe right folder to sort documents<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\nFor folders, the classic file folder, also known as ring binders or Leitz folders, are best suited. It is perfect for DinA 4 slips of paper and usually has a spine width of 8 cm. There is a label on the spine of the folder. And a tip clamp that you close after use so that all documents are firmly fixed in the folder. <\/p>\n\n
These file folders are very sturdy and can be stored well. Papers can be added or removed quickly. You can also take it with you to important appointments. By the way, the folders don’t have to be in a boring lawyer’s black. Ring binders are also available in turquoise, pink, yellow or your favorite color. Investing in new, beautiful folders is worth it because you’ll enjoy picking them up. Sorting documents thus loses a bit of its horror. And beautiful folders even look appealing on an open shelf! <\/p>\n\nThe classic ring binder is the best solution for well-sorted documents.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\nSorting documents: step-by-step instructions<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\n\nYou need a large table or space on the floor.<\/p>\n\n
<\/div>\n\nThe accessories<\/h3>\n\n\n- Binder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dividers or an index (alphabetical or with colors)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clear sleeves<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Stapler<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hole puncher<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Shredder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trash can<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
If you don’t have a shredder, you can borrow one from the office or from friends or neighbors.<\/p>\n\n
<\/div>\n\nThrow away documents or keep them?<\/h3>\n\n
Now you put all the documents in front of you. And you start: take each sheet in your hand and decide: keep or throw away. <\/p>\n\n
Sort out generously. Don’t develop an emotional attachment to paper. <\/p>\n\n
If you are now wondering: “How long do you actually have to keep private documents?”, there are tips for Germans from the Verbraucherzentrale<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n![\"Sorting](\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAABaAAAANtAQMAAABcyE7bAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAALFJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20IX6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACA2wBsLwABMwlQyQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\")
Sorting the documents step by step takes a while, but it’s worth it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\nFolder categories<\/h3>\n\n
Documents that you want to keep can be sorted directly into the following categories. It’s best to write each category on a piece of paper or adhesive strip and start making piles. <\/p>\n\n
The categories are:<\/p>\n\n
\n- Health<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Taxes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- House \/ Apartment <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Insurance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Job<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Education \/ Training<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Purchases (receipts, instructions) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Child A, B, C <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Subcategories are of course possible.<\/p>\n\n
Once you’ve sorted the documents into piles, you’ll see how much space they’ll take up in the folder. Now you can decide which documents can share a folder. Ideally, if they are thematically similar or come one after the other in the alphabet. Label the spine of the folder. <\/p>\n\n
<\/div>\n\nSorting documents into folders<\/h3>\n\n
As a final step, go through each stack and<\/p>\n\n
\n- staple together multi-page letters at the left corner <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- punch all pages<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- sort them chronologically: the older date down, the newer date always on the top. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
Caution: Do not squeeze folders full of papers. After all, mail will continue to arrive in the future. So leave at least a finger’s breadth of space. <\/p>\n\n
Now all the folders go into the bookshelf <\/a>or into a filing cabinet. <\/p>\n\nCongratulations, you now have really well-sorted documents!<\/p>\n\n
Rule No. 1: There are no loose papers. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n As a a first place for filing you can use a<\/p>\n\n All documents that still need to be processed are sent to this place<\/p>\n\n Rule No. 2: No letter goes back into its envelope after opening. <\/strong> Once the acute documents have been processed, you have two options: You staple them into the appropriate folder immediately after processing. Or you can collect and file everything once a week or once a month. Think about what works best for you and then stick to it. <\/p>\n\n For folders, the classic file folder, also known as ring binders or Leitz folders, are best suited. It is perfect for DinA 4 slips of paper and usually has a spine width of 8 cm. There is a label on the spine of the folder. And a tip clamp that you close after use so that all documents are firmly fixed in the folder. <\/p>\n\n These file folders are very sturdy and can be stored well. Papers can be added or removed quickly. You can also take it with you to important appointments. By the way, the folders don’t have to be in a boring lawyer’s black. Ring binders are also available in turquoise, pink, yellow or your favorite color. Investing in new, beautiful folders is worth it because you’ll enjoy picking them up. Sorting documents thus loses a bit of its horror. And beautiful folders even look appealing on an open shelf! <\/p>\n\n You need a large table or space on the floor.<\/p>\n\n If you don’t have a shredder, you can borrow one from the office or from friends or neighbors.<\/p>\n\n Now you put all the documents in front of you. And you start: take each sheet in your hand and decide: keep or throw away. <\/p>\n\n Sort out generously. Don’t develop an emotional attachment to paper. <\/p>\n\n If you are now wondering: “How long do you actually have to keep private documents?”, there are tips for Germans from the Verbraucherzentrale<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Documents that you want to keep can be sorted directly into the following categories. It’s best to write each category on a piece of paper or adhesive strip and start making piles. <\/p>\n\n The categories are:<\/p>\n\n Subcategories are of course possible.<\/p>\n\n Once you’ve sorted the documents into piles, you’ll see how much space they’ll take up in the folder. Now you can decide which documents can share a folder. Ideally, if they are thematically similar or come one after the other in the alphabet. Label the spine of the folder. <\/p>\n\n As a final step, go through each stack and<\/p>\n\n Caution: Do not squeeze folders full of papers. After all, mail will continue to arrive in the future. So leave at least a finger’s breadth of space. <\/p>\n\n Now all the folders go into the bookshelf <\/a>or into a filing cabinet. <\/p>\n\n Congratulations, you now have really well-sorted documents!<\/p>\n\nThe filing<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
The right folder to sort documents<\/h2>\n\n
Sorting documents: step-by-step instructions<\/h2>\n\n
The accessories<\/h3>\n\n
\n
Throw away documents or keep them?<\/h3>\n\n
Folder categories<\/h3>\n\n
\n
Sorting documents into folders<\/h3>\n\n
\n
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