The Athens Home Organizer - Stash it, Store it, Find it, Use it.

Build a RAFT for managing incoming papers

Date Posted: Apr 26, 2010

One of the most common requests of professional organizers is to set up a family management center to handle papers. One method of dealing with this is to use the RAFT approach. First, choose a convenient location for your system, perhaps in the kitchen or in a hallway where you enter the house. Then establish a place to organize incoming papers according to:

R: reading material -- things you want to read later.

A: action items – bills to be paid, invitations to RSVP, papers to sign for the teacher, etc.

F: papers to be filed.

T: toss – papers to recycle, shred or throw in the trash.

It’s simple enough in concept, but think about what kind of system will work< for you. You could use a bulletin board, file folders or cubbies, along with a trash can – whatever works for you. The result is that you will feel in control.