If your house is like most, instructions, warranties and manuals end up tossed here and there. Some are in the bottom of the box. Others are shoved into kitchen drawers. The ones that came with power tools might be in the garage on a shelf – or not. There might even be a file cabinet with stacks of them.

 

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These out-of-sight and out-of-mind stacks of paperwork can happily reside in these cluttered spots until you need them. When an appliance breaks down, an electronic item needs programming or you just don’t know how to use it, the frustration sets in. You want to put your hands on the purchase information, warranty or instructions, and instead you are on a scavenger hunt.

Here is a simple file method for dealing with purchase paperwork:

• Review the paperwork to see if the warranty card must be mailed in or registered online. If so, take the appropriate action.
• Staple the purchase receipt to the papers, and staple all of the papers together.
• Find one spot for your purchase papers. It may be a file drawer, a file box or other container. The important considerations are that they are not mixed with other documents and are located in one spot.
• You can use one of these options to hold the papers: file folders, a 3-ring binder with clear sheet protectors or a pocket notebook for each kind of product.
• Divide the papers - and sort - by subject. Some suggested dividers: kitchen, hand and power tools, furniture, electronics, toys and games, lawn equipment, computer and miscellaneous.

After taking these steps, it will be simpler to find the warranty or instructions when needed. To keep this file maintained, take a moment to flip through the papers in a folder when you do add something to it. This way you can pull out any papers for products you no longer own and keep your folders up-to-date.

 

 

About Lea Schneider

Professional Organizer Lea Schneider’s organizing advice has appeared in Woman’s Day, Natural Health and Better Homes and Gardens Kids’ Rooms magazines. She is the Grand Prize Winner of the Rolodex Office Makeover Challenge. Her team of professional organizers, at Organize Right Now, provides organizing assistance through her Organize Online program. She is the author of Growing Up Organized: A Mom-to-Mom Guide. Learn more at www.organizerightnow.com.