Receipts, receipts, receipts

How many times have you cleaned out your wallet or purse because you were wondering what the heck is in there?  It just seems to be getting heavier and heavier and still you can't find anything.  And finding a receipt for a return or that ATM for your checkbook?  Forget about it.

What you lack is a habit and a system.

We habitually put all sorts of things in our purse or wallet.  Receipts seem to be the biggest challenge.  The one I dislike the most is when you get two receipts at a restaurant.  We get receipts for everything.  And where do they all go?  Depends on if you have your wallet open, how fast you are being checked through the line and if you have a system or not.  

The solution is to make a new system and a new habit.  The next time you clean out that purse or wallet, separate the receipts you have in there.  How do they break down?  Do you have mostly grocery or gas receipts?  Do you track any of these or use them to balance your checkbook?  

Think about the receipts you actually use and keep for future use.  Now make a system to contain them until you need them.  It might be as simple as a large paperclip or envelope.  Or maybe you scan them using your phone.  Whatever system you use, be consistent.  Then at the end of the month or whenever you need them, you will have everything you need right on hand.  

Finally ask yourself this.  Do you really want or need all of those receipts?  If you don't track your gas milage, do you need a receipt when you pay at the pump?  What receipts can you eliminate completely.

Kimberly Dahline, Professional Organizer
FinallyFiled
Putting Papers in their Proper Place

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