Filing

Hi Swarm Moms!

Just a reminder about your bill processing day.  Make sure you are filing copies of the bills you are paying that week, as well as the receipts from shopping trips.  The file folders that you were instructed to purchase are to be kept on hand for your bill processing day, but also for the many papers you need to have easy access to.  For instance, Swarm joined the YMCA.  There is plenty of paperwork involved in registering and joining and it is important to be able to locate the paperwork when you need to check information relating to your membership.  Label each folder so you can find what you want when you need it.  For instance, you can label a folder 'utilities' or you can separate the receipts and label them 'electric', 'water', 'rent', 'mortgage',  etc.  Some people get really organized and color code their files in a similar way to the following:  Utilities in RED, Entertainment in BLUE, Finance in GREEN, etc.  Do what works for you!

When you are processing the bills make sure that you write out the following information: how you paid the bill, the date you mailed or paid the bill on line (get the confirmation number if you pay online) and how much you paid. Notating the amount you paid on bills you are paying on (as opposed to paying off) is important so that you can monitor the payment applications to your account.  Swarm finds this especially helpful when dealing with medical bills, tuition and membership accounts.

Swarm, always frugal, finds it handy to use copy paper boxes to house the file folders, both empty and the ones for the current billing process.  If your work does not have any of these boxes available, then check your local library, insurance agents or even school.  Most businesses buy there copy paper in bulk so check with them if you want to try these cheap, but sturdy boxes.