How To Create An Organized Filing System

Introduction

The test of a good filing system is being able to find something when you need it, regardless of how you choose to organize it. However, there are two basic approaches to setting up a filing system:

· Establish categories for like items by subject (e.g., Hobbies)

How To Create An Organized Filing System

· Establish an index based system with files identified numerically by item (e.g., File 1=Document 1)

You can choose the method that makes the most intuitive sense to you. People who have trouble categorizing may feel more comfortable with the indexing approach. Regardless of which type of system you choose, if you feel overwhelmed about where to start, pick a group of papers in any pile. It does not matter where you start.....you just need to start with a manageable subset of paper.

Active files are those which you must access regularly. Historic files are those that it is unlikely you will need to access, but which you must keep for record retention purposes (i.e., tax files). Your inactive files should not be kept in your active file space, if file cabinet space is limited. These files can be stored in boxes in an out of the way location (since you should not be accessing these files regularly). To create your active files, follow the steps outlined below.

Organizing By Category

Step 1 Sort & Discard

Review your papers and discard any papers you no longer need to keep. If you feel unsure about discarding an item, in order to make the decision easier, ask yourself what's the worst thing that could happen if you throw it away? It helps to put things in perspective.

When you decide to keep a paper, sort the paper into various categories/piles. Use post-it notes to label the top page of each pile until a permanent file location/category name is established later.

Use categories that are broad for sorting. For example, if you have lots of information on various leisure interests, you can create a hanging file called "Leisure" (vs. creating a hanging file for every type of leisure topic in your papers).

If you have a major hobby such as photography, for which you collect a lot of information, create a separate hanging folder named "Photography". This makes more sense (so that the "leisure" file won't become too unwieldy).

You can create multiple interior file folders that reside within the hanging file folder, each labeled with the category sub-topic. This makes it easier to search by sub-topic. For example, within the "Leisure" hanging file category you might have file folders for the sub-categories of Art, Music & Reading.

Step 2: Determine Quantity Files Needed

Once you are finished sorting, count and double check the number of "piles" you have to keep. The number of piles equals the number of hanging file folders you will need for your active files. You should buy a minimum of the same number of interior file folders to insert inside the hanging file folders (more if you will have some categories with multiple sub-topics).

Step 3: Identifying/Labeling the Files

Create a set of hanging file folders and associated interior file folder(s) for each pile and its sub-categories.

In order to maintain the transition from active to historic status at the end of each year, the interior files should be labeled by subject and current year (e.g., Life Insurance 2004). This dating approach is best for those categories that involve monthly statements or bills.

For your hanging folders that do contain dated material, it is best to keep static papers that don't change from year to year in front of the interior folders (e.g., the life insurance policy versus the quarterly invoices). This will make it easy to transition files from active to historical status at year end.

Step 4: Estimate file cabinet size

Once you put the appropriate papers in the files, you can get a sense of how many file cabinet drawers you will need. Using a single "Bankers Box" (heavy corrugated storage box) to stand the files up to measure the inches in depth needed is very helpful. These boxes are available at office supply stores, and also will serve later for inactive storage purposes).

The total number of depth inches you have equates to the number of file

drawers you will need in the file cabinet. Be sure to measure the depth of any file cabinet drawers you may be thinking of buying to ensure you'll have enough space (allowing at least 4 inches in each drawer's clearance for sliding & viewing files.

Maintaining the System Annually

At the end of the year, transfer the past year's interior files to inactive storage. Keep the same hanging file folder in place, and create a new set of interior file folders labeled with the New Year. Keep the "static materials inside the hanging file folders from the past year.

Suggested Category Headings

Index Based Organizing

Step 1: Discard & Pile

Review your papers and discard any papers you no longer need to keep. For the papers you need to keep, sort your papers into a single pile (no need to categorize).

Step 2: Create the File Index

For each one of these papers or related group of papers (if that relationship is very obvious to you), you will create a numerical file. You will then record File #1's contents in an excel log (or other computerized tool) that describes the contents of the file. For example, if I have a utility bill from March 2004, you would make the description "March 2004 Utility Bill". This file description will get assigned a random file number in a pre-identified location (i.e., File #1 in the office filing cabinet). Should you ever need to find this bill again, you would do an Edit/Find search in Excel and enter "March 2004 utility" to find it. The advantage of this approach is it does not rely on categorizing. When your May 2004 bill arrives, you can assign a totally unrelated file # to it.

You can create & record these indexes with Excel or Access by using their search capabilities. There is also a software program called "The Paper Tiger" from The Hemphill Productivity Institute that is designed for this purpose, and it adds some nice bells and whistles (like tracking files that have been pulled out but not put back). There is a free trial offer and tele-class if you are interested (information can be found at their website http://www.thepapertiger.com/.).

The major disadvantage of the indexing approach is that you must maintain many more files in your storage unit, as well as the data base to track them.

Other Filing Tips

· You should have "action" folders for bills to pay, things to do and pending matters. This serves as a holding place for things you have not had time to get to that week, but that still require action on your part. It is also helpful to have a calendar file to keep things needed for events already recorded in your calendar (e.g., directions to event, handouts, etc.)

· You can use color coded folders to visually identify subject categories

· You can alphabetize your file folders by hanging folder tab name, but if you use staggered file tabs, you'll have to redo the order every time you add or delete a subject.

· Pendaflex, a leading manufacturer recommends that files should be no more than ¾" thick. If you need a file with a greater thickness, you can use the "box bottom" hanging folders.

Copyright 2004 - The Organizing Wiz

How To Create An Organized Filing System
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As The Organizing Wiz, Ilene Drexler works with residential clients in New York City who want to get organized in their home or home offices. She is a member of the industry's leading resources for professional organizing:

· National Association of Professional Organizers

· National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD)

Ilene honed her organizing skills during 20 years working in corporate operations management for various Fortune 500 companies including Disney, Scholastic, Accenture, Random House and McGraw-Hill. Her work there was focused on redesigning & streamlining operational processes, as well as helping project teams to be more organized.

Ilene earned a certificate of study in Chronic Disorganization from the NSGCD, and has a B.S. in Business Administration. Her “How To” organizing articles have been published by

My Organized life.com Online Organizing.com Professional Organizers Webring Article City.com GO Articles.com OnlyHer.net

The Types Of Accounting

Accounting is the art of analyzing and interpreting data. It may not be apparent to some but every business and every individual uses accounting in some form. An individual may knowingly or unknowingly use accounting when he evaluates his financial information and relays the results to others. Accounting is an indispensable tool in any business, may it be small or multi-national.

The term "accounting" covers many different types of accounting on the basis of the group or groups served. The following are the types of accounting.

1. Private or Industrial Accounting: This type of accounting refers to accounting activity that is limited only to a single firm. A private accountant provides his skills and services to a single employer and receives salary on an employer-employee basis. The term private is applied to the accountant and the accounting service he renders. The term is used when an employer-employee type of relationship exists even though the employer is some case is a public corporation.

The Types Of Accounting

2. Public Accounting: Public accounting refers to the accounting service offered by a public accountant to the general public. When a practitioner-client relationship exists, the accountant is referred to as a public accountant. Public accounting is considered to be more professional than private accounting. Both certified and non certified public accountants can provide public accounting services. Certified accountants can be single practitioners or by partnership ranging in size from two to hundreds of members. The scope of these accounting firms can include local, national and international clientele.

3. Governmental Accounting: Governmental accounting refers to accounting for a branch or unit of government at any level, may it be federal, state, or local. Governmental accounting is very similar to conventional accounting methods. Both the governmental and conventional accounting methods use the double-entry system of accounting and journals and ledgers. The object of government accounting units is to give service rather than make profits. Since profit motive cannot be used as a measure of efficiency in government units, other control measures must be developed. To enhance control, special funds accounting is used. Governmental units can use the services of both private and public accountant just as any business entity.

4. Fiduciary Accounting: Fiduciary accounting lies in the notion of trust. This type of accounting is done by a trustee, administrator, executor, or anyone in a position of trust. His work is to keep the records and prepares the reports. This may be authorized by or under the jurisdiction of a court of law. The fiduciary accountant should seek out and control all property subject to the estate or trust. The concept of proprietorship that is common in the usual types of accounting is non-existent or greatly modified in fiduciary accounting.

5. National Income Accounting: National income accounting uses the economic or social concept in establishing accounting rather than the usual business entity concept. The national income accounting is responsible in providing the public an estimate of the nation's annual purchasing power. The GNP or the gross national product is a related term, which refers to the total market value of all the goods and services produced by a country within a given period of time, usually a calendar year.

The Types Of Accounting
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Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Accounting

Custom Made Stocks For Your Hunting Rifle

A rifle is made up of two basic components. These are the barrel and stock. The barrel is made of high tensile steel with grooves inside. The stock is the rear of the weapon on which the barrel and trigger mechanism is attached. Wood, metal, or plastic are the materials from which the stock is fabricated. The stock serves as a support for the fire arm. All stocks of firearms are integral parts of a weapon. The rifle stock has some basic functions. It is the central piece that holds the barrel and trigger mechanism together. In addition its construction has a hollow at one end so that it fits in with the curve of the shoulder. The purpose of this is a validation of Newton's third law of motion that states that action must have an equal reaction. Thus by fitting into the groove of the shoulder the recoil is to an extent lessened and reaction to the forward movement of the bullet greatly negated. The stock also gives the weapon stability.

Guns particularly rifles have fascinated Americans for long. Big hunters like Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody and Davy Croquet are part of American folklore. In earlier periods in the Wild West the guns served a particular purpose as a weapon for self defense against Red Indians, rustlers and also for hunting. With the passage of time the love for rifles has not abated and these weapons are purchased in large numbers by Americans from all walks of life for sport, target shooting and self defense. It is therefore natural that a vast number of American gun owners will like to go in for a distinctive stock for their rifles. The promotion and control of rifles is looked after by the National Rifle association. It was established as early as 1871 and is a non-profit group for the promotion of marksmanship, firearm safety, and hunting and personal protection firearm rights in the United States. The clout of the NRA can be seen from the fact that in the United States NRA gun ownership is regarded as a civil liberty which is protected by the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

The most common firearm used for hunting is the rifle while for bird shooting the preferred fire arm is the shot gun. All these weapons can have custom made stocks. They can also be crafted and made to suit your personal tastes. Stocks can be given an individual touch by getting intricate designs and carvings made so as to give your weapon a personal touch. So when you go for a hunt the weapon gives you a sense of pride.

Custom Made Stocks For Your Hunting Rifle

There are a many companies that sell and market stocks for rifles. You can also order stock on the net as a lot of popular e -marketing websites cater to such purchases. Whatever use you have for your weapon, a stock will always remain an essential part of it.

With the development of Fiberglass technology the same has found its way into manufacturing of stocks. Fiberglass rifle stock, composite rifle stock and carbon fiber rifle stocks are very much in vogue. These materials have substituted wood which however remains the principal material used for rifle stock.

Stocks for rifles come in a variety of colors, from which you can pick and choose. You can get Black rifle stocks as well as Camouflage Rifle Stocks. Stocks can also be bought for all types of rifles that include Remington rifle, Savage rifle and the Winchester rifle. A stock is an essential part of your success in using the rifle for whatever you use it for like hunting or Target Shooting. Stock manufacturers will manufacture stock according to your preference. You will of course have to give your option for the style of stock, type of wood, material, design etc. The company will cater to your taste. Once the stock is ordered there is no requirement of sending the rifle to the manufacturer. In any case as things stand most of the manufacturers of rifle stocks do not provide gun smith for services. You will be better off fixing the stock yourself.Its not a very difficult job any way.

Once the stock is received by you from the company, it will require sanding and polishing. Sanding is done by rubbing the stock with sandpaper before the final finishing.Sanding will give the stock a smooth finish. The end result will have a lot to do with your effort and work. After sanding the finishing can be done by oil, urethane, or other finishing compound. In case you need guidance then you can always tap the internet or a friend who knows something about this work. Many sites can be scouted that will educate and inform you as to how to do finishing of a stock. Once the stock is ready, you are on your way for a custom made rifle for hunting or target shooting.

Custom Made Stocks For Your Hunting Rifle
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A Brief History Of Police In America

Early America's roots in governmental institutions, ironically stem from Great Britain. This encluded law enforcement. England's law enforcement can be traced to before 1066; the year of the Normandy invasion of Britain.

When many early Europeans first arrived to our shores, they were surprised at the lack of organized law enforcement. It was more or less, "the stronger were policed themselves and their communities".

After "things" got fairly well settled the job of maintaining order in the new colonies was given to Justices of the Peace, and one might see "culprits" in pillories or stocks, paying their debt to society. But, as colonies changed into towns and towns into cities, the Justice of the Peace system was not enough. It became time for an organized, and for salaried policemen (there were no policewomen at the time).

A Brief History Of Police In America

In the early 1600's, Boston launched Night Watch, which idea worked reasonably well as long as the area remained a rural and agrarian one. New York City established the Shout and Rattle Watch in 1651, but, by 1705 Philadelphia found it necessary to divide the city into ten patrol areas. This was really the first stab in America at "organized law enforcement" (for what it was worth).

Sometime between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the more than rapid growth of population and industrialization in America mandated the development of municipal police departments. In 1833, Philadelphia organized an independent, 24/7 police squad. . In 1844, NYC maintained two police forces; one unit working day, and one graveyard shift. During this period, police departments were headed by police chiefs, appointed and accountable to political bosses eerily similar to what was seen in the black and white police movies of the 1940's and 1950's. Corruption ran rampant.

Some of the law enforcement we inherited from England was "The Sheriff System". (Remember the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin Hood?) As America moved west, in most frontier towns the sheriff was the chief law enforcement official. He could be recruited from the local community, or more often a Sheriff was selected by his reputation, and the more dismal the rep, the more likely he was to be elected. The Sheriff System exists in America today, but, on a more formal and politicized basis.

21st Century law enforcement agencies and departments are highly specialized organizations, with ongoing training to prepare to meet a great variety of problems and situations. We have federal, state, county, and municipal police. We no longer live in our parent's world. There are dangers we face daily they couldn't have imagined. There is a fine line between real life and the Internet. We remain dependent on peace officers from every organization for our" life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and to enforce the vision of our founding fathers when they penned that brilliant document, the U.S. Constitution.

A Brief History Of Police In America
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Rick London is a freelance writer, cartoonist and E-entrepreneur. Though not in the law enforcement profession, he listened to his brother-in-law, a retired s.w.a.t. team leader of the Dallas Police Force-turned-author tell many stories of his professional life. This encouraged Rick to create police humor cartoons and products. Many of the products can be found at his RickLondonCollection Store. The police page is at [http://www.cafepress.com/9500/4391069] Londons Times Cartoons is the most visited cartoon site on the Internet luring over 3 million annual visitors.

Top 7 Ways To Get Rich

Want to be one of the lucky ones on the road to riches, want to be on the freeway to financial freedom, on your way to wealth?

Here are the top 7 roads to riches, the top 7 easiest and fastest ways to acquire wealth ...

Inherit it

Top 7 Ways To Get Rich

This is how today's old money families got their wealth. In the 1800's and early 1900's, before anti-trust laws, income taxes and political correctness, America's finest families built empires and amassed great wealth; in industries such as oil, banking, newspapers, sugar, transportation, land, bootlegging and even prostitution. And that original wealth was passed down to succeeding generations. The number one easiest and fastest way to acquire wealth is to inherit it. Unfortunately, inheriting wealth is mainly a matter of blood; you have to be born into the right family.

Marry it

If you can't inherit it the second easiest and fastest way to acquire wealth is to marry someone who is already wealthy. And sometimes that person may even be kind, generous, compatible and loveable. And, if not, divorce can pay off handsomely. Just remember to get married (and divorced) in a state that has favorable community property laws.

Work for it

If you can't inherit wealth and can't marry it then you can work for it. People rarely get rich having a job. Rather, they build a company and own it. And then often take that company public, collecting hundreds of millions, or billions, of dollars in doing so.

Or, they invent something useful and valuable which greatly benefits society, such as explosive devices like dynamite, or the paper clip or the thigh master or eBay.

Win it

If you can't inherit wealth, can't marry it or can't work for it then maybe you can win it. Lotteries abound, paying out multi-million dollar jackpots, and eventually someone always wins them. Unfortunately, you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning then winning the lottery. But, hey, it only costs a buck!

Steal it or deal it

If you can't inherit wealth and you can't marry it, work for it, or win it then maybe you could steal it or deal it.

You could become a CEO or chief financial officer for a big cash-rich company, cook the books, steal millions of dollars, buy a million dollar home, lie to the feds, and hope you don't get caught, convicted and sent to Club Fed. I don't recommend anyone try to get rich this way.

Also not recommended is to deal it; to become a drug lord and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in cash dealing heroin, crack, meth and other non-FDA approved goodies and wholesaling it to pushers who will gladly resell it to anyone to wants it, ranging from children to movie stars. After all, aren't drug dealers just supplying what people want; even if it creates crime, ruins lives, kills people or could put you in jail for the rest of your life. Not a legal (or moral) way to get rich.

Gamble for it

If you can't inherit money, can't marry it, can't work for it, can't win it, can't steal or deal it then maybe you could gamble for it. Over 50 million people play poker. A few even make millions of dollars at it. You've seen them on television, winning or losing upwards of a million dollars on the turn of a card. Looks easy, doesn't it? They don't look so tough on TV; I bet any decent poker player (like me for instance) has a good chance of beating them on a lucky day. So maybe you could simply plunk down ,000-,000 per tournament entry fee, or get a backer, join the World Poker Tour, win a few tournaments and get rich! Or maybe, in reality, the average amateur poker player has a snowball's chance in hell of getting rich that way.

Invest and get rich

If you can't inherit wealth, can't marry it, can't work for it, can't win it, can't steal or deal it or can't gamble for it then maybe you can invest and get rich. There are 2 good ways to invest and get rich; the real estate market and the stock market.

According to historical data, over time, real etate goes up a average of 10% a year. So getting rich in real estate tends to take a long time. And also requires a large down payment. Hard to get rich quick that way.

On the other hand, the stock market can be a good way to get rich. Stocks can go up dramatically over a relatively short period of time and make you rich but you have to have the money to invest and you have to pick the right stocks at the right time.

To recap how to get rich:

1. inherit it

2. marry it

3. work for it

4. win it

5. steal it or deal it

6. gamble for it

7. invest for it

These are the top 7 easiest and quickest ways people can get rich. How will YOU do it?

Top 7 Ways To Get Rich
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Alan Korber is the creator and publisher of the successful Korber Strategy, a simple easy-to-understand stock market investment strategy that can pinpoint stocks likely to go up 50%-100% in the next 12 months. His website is www.akorber.com