Minimalism: Papers In Progress – Part 6

In my last Minimalism: Papers In Progress – Part 5, I spent several hours over a couple weeks going through files and ended up shredding 5 LARGE bags. I had about 1/3 of a drawer left to go. In October, I spent another couple weeks shredding enough paper to fill 6 bags this time!

I went through and reorganized all the papers I set aside to be kept in the file drawer, created some new labels and organized the remaining file folders and papers within them.  I am only keeping documents such as those related to taxes, insurance policies, health and other necessary current paperwork.  I sure love looking at this picture!  

Unfortunately, I still can’t say my filing cabinet is done because I have one file left that I did not touch.  A file of receipts (mostly major purchases) is all that is left to go through out of the 2 drawers of files. But sadly, I still have more paper located in other areas of my house, which is a bit frustrating for me because I feel like I am close, yet really still so far away from finishing this paper category!

Aside from my file cabinet, here is what’s next on my to do list for papers:

1) A cooler bag filled with photos that go back to when I was a baby, plus loads of scraps of papers that I kept as mementos (boarding pass stubs, playbills, ticket stubs, printed itineraries, postcards, receipts from trips, etc.) that I had intended to eventually include in scrapbooks once I got a chance to create scrapbooks of all the photos in the bag.  However, this could be considered the sentimental category, which is supposed to be dealt with at the very end of the KonMari method process.

2) A box filled with house related paperwork, including all the papers I signed on closing as well as anything related to renovations I have completed.  I have been keeping this for last because I have no clue if I need to keep all these documents.  I have already paid off my mortgage to the house, but wonder if these should be retained for if and when I try to sell my house.  If anyone knows, please let me know!

Part 7 of this seemingly never ending chapter on Paper will be coming very very soon!