Paper from bills driving you crazy? Get an accordion file labeled January thru December. Pay your bills and place the bill only (not the envelope or advertising) in the month paid. You are all set come tax time. At the end of the year, if you don’t need it for taxes, toss it!
To set up a paper filing system in your home or office, we recommend FreedomFiler. Its the best paper organizing system we’ve found and we’ve used it with hundreds of clients. For other paper organizing resources, visit our website.
Christa Wagner is a professional organizer and speaker located in Vancouver, BC.
It’s the perfect time to organize your paper and files for the new year.Attend this workshop, File Yourself to Freedom, and leave with files you will never have to re-organize again. Attendees will learn how to use the filing product we use exclusively that will tell you where to put your paper and how long to keep it. The FreedomFiler has a built in purging system designed to help you let go of paper once and for all. We love this product and you will too!
Additional materials cost for this workshop. $49.95 paid to Christa Wagner for FreedomFiler product andattendees to bring 75 hanging file folders and plastic filing tabs. Call 604-257-6976 to register.
In September I had the opportunity to work with Blink Media on an organizing segment for their Get Connected Show. The show is airing tomorrow during Small Business Week (the week of October 19). I had so much fun and was thrilled to be apart of the event. Thank you Blink TV.
On the show we work with a client who is struggling with some organizational issues. Our client was fantastic. Like many of my clients they had a home office space that had too many purpose, little storage space and just too much stuff. We were able to help by letting go of some unneeded items, we created a home for things using some great office products, and since it was a Get Connected Segment, we incorporated some pretty cool and very functional computer tools. The client was thrilled and overall it was a super day.
Back in March we had a contest called Vancouver’s Ugliest Office Contest. I partnered with Suze Interiors and we “made over” the Ugliest Office in Vancouver. Our winner, Elyssa McKee lives in a two bedroom apartment with her husband Ryan. They have lived in their home for four years and Elyssa uses her home for work and study. Elyssa was great to work with and Ryan was amazing as he helped us while Elyssa was out of town at the end of the trip. The photos speak for themselves……
Suze and I met with the client and assessed the situation, developed goals and prioritized. Elyssa’s overall goal was an office that could be used for working, studying and reading. She also wanted a calm, yet motivating space that she wanted to use. Before the makeover, she didn’t even want to enter the room so she certainly wasn’t using it. I went in with a team of three organizers and we started by sorting the contents of the room. There was so much stuff and box by box we sorted like items together. Once we had everything sorted, we went through each pile and Elyssa released anything she no longer used, needed or loved. This was tough for her as it can be for most people. But with our help, she let go of anything that did not have a purpose in the office. Then we decided where things would go in the new office.
After
From there Suze went in and talked furniture, color and accessories. The client’s budget was $1,000. Until this point the couple had really made due with what they had and it was time for a major furniture face lift. So Suze and I went shopping and pulled it all together. We purchased a desk, a file cabinet, a bookshelf, a rug, baskets and containers, closet organizing tools, hanging file folders and a FreedomFiler. You can see the results were amazing and the client is thrilled.
So what can you learn from all this?
Elyssa and Ryan had plenty of space, but it was not being used effectively.
They had too much stuff in one room that was supporting the needs of that room.
They were holding onto things they no longer had a use for.
They had old broken furniture that was hurting, not helping
The room had gotten so out of control, it was too overwhelming to manage on their own.
They need to get back to basic organizing principles; one in, one out, for example.
Good thing Suze and I had the contest. Learn from Elyssa and Ryan and make a change in your home today or contact us to help you turn your ugliest room into a relaxing, practical and gorgeous space.
I provided a workshop called Kick Start Office Productivity for the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce on June 18th and what a success it was. We had about 30 attendees at the gorgeous Watermark Restaurant on Kitsilano Beach. I have given many seminars and worshops over the years and this has to be one of the most beautiful settings I have ever spoken in. What a view!
I wanted to thank the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce, specifically Terry Clark and Kirsten Severson for hosting the event. The topic was Kick Start Office Productivity and I provided 5 organizing tactics you can use in your office that will make a huge difference to your productivity. There has been no better time to streamline and organize your business. In a challenging economy we do everything we can to drive store traffic and increase revenue and sales. Yet what are you doing to boost internal productivity, which can have a dramatic affect on the bottom line?
Each attendee was asked to select one tactic, where they are the most challenged, and commit to focusing on it for 30 days. Accountability is key so I will follow up and see how they are doing in 30 days. I can’t wait to hear.
The topics we talked about were related to email, desktop clutter, paper, time and focus. We could have talked about each tactic over the course of hours, but we only had an hour and my hope is each attendee left with a few nuggets of inspiration that will make a difference in their day. The feedback was terrific and everyone stayed afterwards to talk and ask me questions about their personal situation. The event could not have been better!
Thanks again to the Kitsilano Chamber and contact us at 778.839.5792 if you would like your own seminar on Kick Start Office Productivity.
I love paper and love my files!!! Yes, I am not afraid to say that out loud, but that’s because they are organized and I can find things easily. Over the years, I came to recognize two common issues with paper: it comes into our homes or offices in droves, and we have no idea what to do with it once it arrives. Where do you put it? How long do you keep it? I get these questions daily. And what about the computer, wasn’t that supposed to help with paper clutter? Not really – the computer age has increased paper use by 60% over the last ten years.
To be able to help even more people with their paper related challenges, I developed an eBook Series (Parts 1, 2 and 3) called Conquer Paper Clutter. Organizing your paper doesn’t have to be difficult, but it is going to take a little time and perhaps changing some habits.
In my eBook Series, you will find steps, exercises and inspirations to help you Conquer Paper Clutter. Series #1 (available now) covers action papers or paper requiring your attention – such as bills to pay or calls to make. Series #2 (available in the fall) covers reference papers or papers you would like to refer to at some point in the future. Series #3 (available December 1) covers a filing product I highly recommend called the FreedomFiler. I know how overwhelming working with paper can be, so I chose to break the eBook into a three part series. Each one builds on the next; you won’t be overloaded with too much information and can stay on track.
Conquer Paper Clutter: Get Your Actions In Order will teach you how to manage your incoming actions and remove visable paper clutter from your home or office. As a bonus, you will learn our organizing process which you can use to organize any space in your home or office. I have used this process with hundreds of clients so I know it works and will lead you to success – Step-by-Step!
I founded Savvy Solutions in the year 2004 because I had a dream of owning my own business. In the beginning I worked with clients throughout their homes, but then I realized nearly all of my clients were challenged by paper. That was when I decided to focus my attention on paper, filing and offices; specifically through speaking engagements and writing. I love paper and love my files, but that’s because they are organized and I can find things easily. Over the years, I’ve come to realize two common challenges with paper: it comes into our homes or offices in droves, and we have no idea what to do with it once it arrives. Where do you put it? How long do you keep it?
Managing your paper is not difficult, but it does take a few minutes each day and understanding a few basic principles shared in this booklet. I know how overwhelming working with paper can be and by having a better understanding of your choices with paper; you will be in a significantly better place.
We have worked with hundreds of clients teaching them The ART of Filing. To be able to help even more people with paper, I have created a line of products focused on organizing paper. One of these is a small booklet called The ART of Filing: How to Conquer Paper in 3 Simple Steps. The booklet will be available on our website later this week and we could not be more thrilled. Use this booklet to have a better understanding how to manage your paper and start to conquer your paper clutter.
“The FreedomFiler® is the only self-purging filing system available today.
Once you begin using FreedomFiler, you will never again have to take time
out of your life for cleaning out or reorganizing files!”
If you read our posts, you will find many of them on the FreedomFiler. It’s a fantastic filing system we use with nearly every single client. We get so many emails about this product which is why you will find a lot of FreedomFiler posts.
Recently, I was talking to my good friend, Debbie Rosemont of Simply Placed, based in Sammamish, WA. We were talking about the FreedomFiler and how we can best use this tool with our clients. We both have been using the product for years and many people want us to help them implement the system, but others have different needs. Here are some ways we can help you with the FreedomFiler.
Ala Carte: You can purchase a FreedomFiler on the website or thru Savvy Solutions.
FreedomFiler eBook: Since we get so many inquires about this product, we decided to write an eBook with the How To’s and Common Questions. Contact us to purchase at info@savvysolutionsorganizing.com.
Pre-Made FreedomFiler kit: We can put your FreedomFiler together for you. We don’t want to see this product become another product that sits on your counter. Let us put it together for you and you will have functioning files with minimal investment.
FreedomFiler Workshop: We offer workshops where you can build your Freedomfiler in a group setting. Check our website for our next File Yourself to Freedom Workshop.
FreedomFiler Consultation: In just a few hours, we can show you how to use the product, how to implement and build your system. You will have files you will never have to organize again in less than 3 hours.
FreedomFiler File Overhaul: This is when you have a lot of paper and we need to dedicate time to building your system as well as reviewing your paper. It takes some times to get thru, but you will love how much lighter you feel in the end.
We love the FreedomFiler and you will too! Check out their website and do yourself a favor and invest in this system. If I had one wish for every home, it would be to have a FreedomFiler. Hang in there, a cure to your paper blues is coming.
Paper is everywhere coming into our homes and offices faster than we can handle. If your piles of paper are taking over your office desk, your kitchen, your dining room, then attend this week’s workshop at the Kitsilano Community Center. Without a doubt, the most common organizing challenge we deal with is paper and piles. This workshop will provide you with the solution to reduce paper piles permanently! Here is what you need to know:
Date: Feb 19, 2009
Time: 6:30PM -8:30PM
Cost:$22
Where:Kitsilano Community Centre 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver, BC.
I was working with a client the other day, building her FreedomFiler and taking her through the different types of paper. I explained to her the tax, permanent, remove replace and resource sections and she felt like she a good handle on these types of papers. Then she said, “But I just know what paper goes in the monthly section.” In that same breath she said “What do I do with all my investment report I get every quarter?”
It was funny; because she answered her own question with her other question. I use the FreedomFiler with nearly all residential clients and most business clients too. It’s a great product because the way you file your paper tells you how long you keep it. There is a monthly section that I call the irrational catch-all. It’s the location for the papers we want to keep, but we just don’t have a good reason to, we aren’t sure if we will need again and we just want to keep it for future use. Love having a place for those.
So getting back to my client and her quarterly investment paper, I told her to ask herself the following questions:
Is this a tax related paper? No, she is not using this paper on her taxes as the investment company will inform her at the year’s end of any gains.
Is this a permanent paper? No, this is just an update and does not describe you original plan or allocation.
Is this a paper that is replacing another version? No, this is just a statement. It is not the contract you have with the investment company?
Is it a resource? No.
But it is a piece of paper she wanted to keep, even though she really didn’t think she would use or need it. It felt important. Yes and using the FreedomFiler we placed it with the other irrational papers by month.
We strongly recommend the FreedomFiler to help you manage these irrational papers and tell you how long to keep them. It’s an exceptional product. Contact us with questions regarding setting up your FreedomFiler.
We had about 30 attendees at the gorgeous Watermark Restaurant on Kitsilano Beach. I have given many 
Each attendee was asked to select one tactic, where they are the most challenged, and commit to focusing on it for 30 days. Accountability is key so I will follow up and see how they are doing in 30 days. I can’t wait to hear. 
I love paper and love my files!!! Yes, I am not afraid to say that out loud, but that’s because they are organized and I can find things easily. Over the years, I came to recognize two common issues with paper: it comes into our homes or offices in droves, and we have no idea what to do with it once it arrives. Where do you put it? How long do you keep it? I get these questions daily. And what about the computer, wasn’t that supposed to help with paper clutter? Not really – the computer age has increased paper use by 60% over the last ten years. 
