Paper Corral

Like everyone else I had a "junk drawer" that I could never find anything in. I also had miscellaneous papers, reciepts, catalogs, etc. that had no home. To help solve a bit of these problems I got out three folders and labeled them "keep", "temporary keep" and "menus".

In the "keep" folder I put a printed list of addresses, buisness cards, a list of traditional and contemporary anniversary gifts, lists of things I want to do to the house, and other random papers that I want on hand but have no particular place to keep them.

The "temporary keep" folder holds reciepts, catalogs, paint swatches, anything that I want on hand but not for long!

Obviously menus go in the "menu" folder! It's so much better than when I had them stuck all over the fridge. Writing the phone numbers for frequently used restaurants on the front of the folders saves a lot of time.

It's a good idea to go through the "temporary keep" folder every month and throw out anything you no longer need. If the folders are different colors it makes quick identification easier. I keep my folders in my junk drawer in the kitchen because it is long and flat and so nothing gets put on top of them. If you don't have a drawer like that it may be easier to "stand" them in a cabinet. Just make sure it's an easy reach spot.