12 Ways to Cut Paper Clutter
There are lots of ways to cut paper clutter - from light tips to extreme paperless technology ideas. Here are 12 solutions that run from simple to the more complex - how each tip will apply to you, depends on how much you hate all that paper.
1. Pay all your bills online: And why not move all your banking activity to online while you’re at it.
2. Ban stickies: I know, some are super cute. But good lord those stickies add up. Once you get some, you get stickie mad and use them everywhere.
3. Ban scratch pads: Also come in many adorable varietites, plus they’re small and mobile. They also create massive paper piles. But one tiny spiral notebook and write notes only in that. Recycle it when you use it up, and grab a new one.
4. Get a pda: I LOVE my pda. It keeps me organized, and I can jot down notes on it, which I later transfer to my computer. No paper notepads necessary if you have one of these babies. Don’t let the cost detour you. Add up the cost of years of notebooks, paper, and stickies, and you’ll feel a lot better. This is only a one-time cost.
5. Quit with the simultaneous projects: If you’re office is in paper shambles, it pays to look at how you do thing. Trying to stay on top of eight tasks at once seems sort of productive, but it’s easier to keep paper under control, and stay organized if you start one task, finish, and start another.
6. Are you in serious paper trouble: Not willing to give up paper just yet? Try the Paper Tiger software system. It’s only goal is to tame paper insanity.
7. Be bold - go totally paperless: Paperless technology is daunting to some, but imagine if you make it! There’s a Paperless Office Experiment, at Productivity501 going on. Although, it’s been happening for quite some time, it’s the best paperless office challenge I’ve ever seen, and will absolutely get you up to speed.
8. Use it - lose it: Use paper sure but recycle the second you’re done. To encourage this sort of behavior keep a shredder right by your desk. Don’t want a shredder? Keep a recycling bin instead. Paper is handy while you are officially using it. If you finish with something scan it if you can’t decide on keep or toss, then chuck it.
9. Cut coupons: Literally. This isn’t an idea to save you cash. You know how many homes I see with piles of uncut coupons? More than I should. If you aren’t gonna cut them, toss them. They expire soon anyhow.
10. Get a receipt system: Either one, scan them for saving, or two, create an envelope system. Grab one large manila envelope, and a bunch of letter size envelopes. Label the letter sized envelopes (gifts, kitchen, appliances, however), and store all receipts in one place. Three create your own system - the two above are just simple ones I use.
11. Scan pay stubs: They always put pay stubs on that super thick paper, and piles add up so quick. Scanning is the easiest way I’ve found to control pay stub clutter.
12. Put your taxes on disc: I keep my taxes scanned in pdf form and then I also make a back-up disc. Before I did this I had an obnoxious drawer of tax related paper clutter.
Add your own tip!
[image via stock.xchng]
Tags: green office, Green Office Supplies, Paper Clutter, paper free, paper mess, paper organizing, paperless office technology, Paperless Office Technology 2.0, Paperless Office Technology organized officeRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Filing Systems, Office, Paper Clutter
13 opinions for 12 Ways to Cut Paper Clutter
Tracy
Jun 6, 2008 at 9:31 am
These are some great tips but I’m not sure I could deal with banning stickies, they are my friends. It’s also a great idea to have a paper shredder by your desk. I definitely wouldn’t opt for the recycling bin because I would worry about my personal document security.
Jennifer
Jun 6, 2008 at 10:29 am
I banned stickies - it was hard. For the recycling, I use mine for non-personal stuff, like article edits that I have on hard copy, or I rip stuff to shreds if it is personal, before tossing it in. Good point about not tossing in personal stuff (since I spaced it).
Marilyn Bohn
Jun 7, 2008 at 11:14 am
I tried a PDA and I couldn’t stand it. I use a planner for my notes, addresses, everything. My kids call it my brain.
I bought Neat Receipts at the NAPO conference in Reno this year. It is the best little thing ever to scan receipts and business cards. And the IRS accepts what is scanned as documentation.
Peggy
Jun 8, 2008 at 6:49 pm
No, I can’t ban scratch pads, but I use responsible ones, both sides, then recycle! : )
I just don’t like PDAs.
Jennifer
Jun 8, 2008 at 10:17 pm
No on seems to like PDAs??? Hmmmm.
Genevieve
Jun 10, 2008 at 10:42 am
I have been able to ban stickies from my desk completely. I have replaced them with Microsoft Outlook Notes + Reminders. They look just like their paper counterparts and they don’t waste up paper or clutter your desk up.
Not only that but the reminder system is great, not to mention that you can sync it up with most mobile phones now.
Best part is they are saved and you can use as many as you want. Outlook was crucial to decluttering my home office. Great way to reduce the paper trail and stay ultra organized. Worked for me.
Peggy
Jun 10, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Genevieve,
I haven’t used those Outlook reminders since my days at an ad agency. Thanks for reminding me. It might help me stop putting things off.
Jennifer
Jun 10, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I’m not an Outlook fan. I have major Outlook issues. I don’t know why, their system and I just plain don’t mesh. But, this is a viable option for those who don’t mind Outlook. Thanks for sharing Genevieve :)
Peggy
Jun 10, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Well, I used Outlook on a PC quite a bit at work, but I haven’t explored the Mac version of it much as far as reminders and calendar and address book. I guess it’s about the same.
Now I’m looking at it. Project Center… no idea what that does!
Cat
Jun 24, 2008 at 9:56 pm
If you have Microsoft Office 2007, you probably have OneNote Notebook. It is spectacular! Unlike a paper notebook, you can move anything you type or paste in all over the page just by dragging with your mouse. Can’t begin to explain all of the cool stuff it does, but you can create tabs within notebooks and pages within tabs and then move pages to different spots if you want. You can even take a snapshot of an online screen and drop it right into the notebook. This has kept me from printing recipes until I know that it’s a keeper, inspirational quotes and thoughts, and online confirmation pages from purchases. You can also use it to hold scans of receipts or conference notes, addresses/phone numbers, vacation plans, cute projects for the kids, future purchases, books to read… I guess you get the point.
Jennifer
Jun 24, 2008 at 10:55 pm
@Cat, thanks for the heads up. I have an older Office, I didn’t see any sense in upgrading, since I only use it for basics, but great for folks who did upgrade.
Priscilla
Sep 14, 2008 at 8:05 am
OneNote Notebook sounds great, does anyone know if there is something like this on the MAC?
Jennifer
Sep 20, 2008 at 6:22 pm
@Priscilla I’m not a Mac user, but maybe someone else will come back who is and know the answer - sorry :( I’m a PC girl.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: