Thank you to TurboTax for sponsoring my writing about household finances.Learn more about how TurboTax can help you find every tax deduction you deserve. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
My desk is a hot mess. My office sit in what is supposed to be our apartment’s breakfast nook. It’s easily accessible by the rest of the family. Which means my desk tends to adopt the kids’ stray toys and random pantry items hubby forgets to put back.
As if I need help keeping my desk messy.
My desk is the command center of our home. I pay bills, blog, write my column, and run my Passion Parties business there. Sometimes I even let Sophia play games on the computer. I should respect my command center and keep it organized but I just haven’t found a system that works for me.
About two years ago, I started my manila envelope system for Passion Parties. I have a 9×12 envelope for each month where I place my receipts: both expenses and income receipts. It’s much better than the system I had before. Because I had no system. I even had an envelope for all of our bills.
I loved the envelope system because I could easily pull out each month if I need to find a receipt or my sales summary from a specific party. It was also great for follow up phone calls. I would grab the envelope from 3 months earlier, pull out my party receipts and start dialing.
So what’s the problem? I now have over 2 years of envelopes. At first I kept them in magazine files, but they’re overflowing. I keep saying I need to put them in a file box but I haven’t. My apartment never seems to have enough space for more boxes.
I think this means I only have half a system. The yellow envelopes are taking over on side of my desk!
I really like my envelope system, but I need to figure out the next step. Sadly this is probably the most organized I have ever been with my receipts and bills. They are all in one place. I can easily reach over and grab the one I’m looking for.
What system are you using? What works for you?
I’d love any suggestions. It’s a new year and I’m ready for more organization. Unless you want to come over and help me organize my desk.
Yes, that photo is actually my desk. Don’t judge.