Tackle Tuesday-Sorting Paper

Ok, everyone, the day kind of got away from me.

Let’s talk PAPER SORTING.

I am going to tell you something that you are not going to want to believe, because it is so positively simple, BUT IT IS TRUE!

ALL PAPER CAN BE SORTED IN TO FIVE BASIC CATEGORIES

I know, too simple to be true, but it is my friends.

Here are the categories:

TO DO

FILE

SHRED

MEMORIES

TRASH

Now that you know the categories, go pick your favorite movie (mine is Father of the Bride Part II, those who truly know me would easily be able to tell you that,) take your baskets or boxes of paper that you collected yesterday, and we will begin.

First you need FIVE pieces of paper labeled TO DO, FILE, SHRED, MEMORIES, and TRASH.

Tape each of these papers to empty baskets or boxes that are lined up in front of you.

Before we begin, let me talk briefly about each of these categories.

TO DO-This box contains anything that needs to be taken care of.  For example, field trip paperwork, current tax items that are coming in the mail this month, coupons, wedding announcements, etc.  These items answer yes to the question, “Do I need to take care of this item?”

FILE-These are things that are already taken care of, but need to be saved for reference.  For example, medical bills that are paid, bank statements, warranties, etc.

SHRED-These are items that have your address or personal information on that are not necessary anymore, but need to be shredded or burned.  For example, a credit card application, expired bank cards, old address lists, etc.  If it can be traced to you personally, be safe and put it in this basket to dispose of later.

MEMORIES-These are items that are specific to someone in your family that you would like to save for them.  Examples can be awards, report cards, special art, advancements in school, church or Scouts, etc.  If it is special to you, keep it.

TRASH-This category should be obvious, but just in case, this is where you put old calendars, past schoolwork that has been graded, junk mail, etc.  Hint: If it doesn’t fit in one of the above categories, it probably belongs here.

Make a large glass of water, turn on the movie and start sorting.  It may go slow at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will be flying through it in no time.  Just remember: Ask yourself, “What is the purpose of this paper?”  Then answer the question by putting it in the corresponding basket.

This may take you the whole movie or two.  Just remember that today we are not reading old letters or looking at that advertisement we found, we are only SORTING!

Tomorrow we will work on the next step.

For tomorrow:

Speaking of tomorrow, just get your sorting done tonight and then enjoy how much you have accomplished in just two short days.

Have a great night!

~Laura

*If you don’t have a movie you love, Biggest Loser is on tonight and it can motivate you to exercise more with all your new free time.