In the coming weeks, I'm going to be showcasing several moms who work from home and/or who have started their own successful businesses from scratch to give you ideas about how you can bring in money without having to do a standard 9-5 shift.
In the meantime, it will definitely benefit you to get your "papers" in orders.
Anyone who has ever worked from home or started a business or managed a family knows that paperwork piles up. Bank account statements, medical receipts, social security cards, birth certificates, resumes, insurance policies, and dental records...these important papers can easily get lost, thrown away, or ruined if you don't have a system in place.
The question for many moms, of course, is where to begin and how to find the time. Not many moms have the time or energy to create a color-coordinated, master-planned filing system. With a baby nursing every two hours or a toddler running around the house or a kindergartner wanting your attention, there's really not an optimal block of time to hide away in the office for this kind of task. When bedtime finally does roll around, most moms would much rather do other things (ahem...blog, surf the Internet, or watch a movie) than file.
But wait...the "paper plight" isn't hopeless. Enter MyVitalFiles..."the file folder system that organizes your financial, legal, medical, and personal documents." It's a smart, simple, stylish system that requires very little effort on your part.
The durable files come color-coordinated, labeled, and alphabatized. The website explains, "The MyVitalFiles Home Filing Solution is a ready-to-go system. There is nothing to assemble, no labels to apply, no books to read, no software to learn. It contains 80 decorative, color-coded, collated, pre-labeled file folders, 10 blank folders, 2 sheets of 22 additional labels, 1 sheet of 22 blank labels, and a reference guide. You simply drop each folder into a hanging file folder and start filing."
If you don't have a filing system because you're just not a Type-A personality and/or you don't have the time or patience to create one, MyVitalFiles might just be the perfect solution for your family.
With a system in place, you won't have to stress about where your passport is before your big trip to Africa or spend an entire day fretting over the fact that you can't find your child's shot records or find yourself completely overwhelmed at tax time (it's coming, but the way). Instead, you'll have much greater peace of mind.
If you're interested, you can purchase the system here (you'll get FREE shipping if you live in the U.S.). If you'd like some paper filing tips, you can sign up to receive e-mails from MyVitalFiles.
Also: stay tuned for some organizing tips from Peggy Thayer, the creator of MyVitalFiles, later this week!
WIN IT! One mama will receive the MyVitalFiles Home Filing Folder System. To enter, simply leave a comment and your e-mail address on this post prior to Monday, Feb. 11, at midnight. The winner will be announced and contacted on Tuesday, Feb. 12. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
* UPDATE * The winner is #38 dinahk2. Congratulations!
Organization is my drug and I just don't have time for it anymore; I would LOVE this!!!
dianna_ball(at)hotmail.com
I have just recently been complaining about this very problem.I could use this.
rshetterly at gmail dot com
perfect, we need this :)
email on blog
We're so disorganized--panicked searches for Very Important Papers occur on a regula basis. I'd love this!
P.S. Thanks for your encouraging post on my blog!
i like to try and keep organized- this would be great!
This could be just the thing to save my sanity. My husbands desk makes me feel claustrophobic when I get within 10 feet of it because of the lack of surface space. He likes to desktop file everything and then wonders why he can't find anything! Gee...I wonder!??! He is really good about shredding things though so I will give him props for that. I guess you take the good with the bad. :-)
I've wondered if I could successfully work from home, so I'm looking forward to getting some ideas and suggestions from your upcoming posts.
sounds like a great system to tackle the paper monster in the corner of my dining room.
I definitely need something like this.
These look great for home and for my teaching stuff, too. Thanks! [email protected]
yes, I definitely could use a system like this one!
Looks good, and I, too, am looking forward to your upcoming posts. Always eager to hear how mom businesses work!
Boy how I'd love to have this to help me better on getting organized!!!count me in PLEASE!
Oooh - I love office supplies (as odd as that may sound)! These looks especially fun - love the bright colors.
Oh wow, you should see the state my office is in. Every time I look in there I want to cry. "Complete disaster" are the only words that come to mind. I need all the help I can get.
heather[at]schafferfam[dot]com
PS Love you blog, and I am so excited about your coming posts on working moms. Thanks!
Wow, this looks like it would be a huge help. Thanks for the chance to win!
Wow...I need all the help I can get!!
stbaisch AT yahoo DOT com
Oh I totally need this! Sadly, I am Type-A but haven't had the get-up-and-go to put something together!
marieandcharlie[at]yahoo[dot]com
Oh My! My hubby absolutely *loves* office supplies. Filing....not so much. These would definitely be motivating! So pretty! I might even jump in with him :)
agoodfellow2cox.net
I love to be organized so I'm a sucker for filing. Love the bright colors.
aprilnorma(at)hotmail(dot)com
Filing has been on my to do list for a while now! This would be great.
Wowsers! Neat!
You really feature some great things! I would love this!! thanks!!
I'm in the middle of organizing my new home and this would be perfect and I love the colors!
I would love to win, please enter me!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am a real neat freak. I currently have a filing system in place however I prefer this color coordinated version. I hope I win! ***CROSSING MY FINGERS!!***
[email protected]
THis sounds great. I work at home and could use all the organization help I can get.
This filing system looks and sounds like heaven. I went right over and signed up for their newsletter. I would really enjoy winning this prize! Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks very much.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I could definitely use this. Thanks!
Lisa
http://www.workoutmommy.com
This would be an absolute lifesaver for us!
Thanks!
I just started my own business and am already drowning in papers. this is just what I need!
[email protected]
My husband and I are still trying to find a system that will work for us. We just can't seem to get our personal paper work organized. This is a great find.
I have two jobs that I do from home. This would be PERFECT!
Oh, I'm drooling! I love office supplies. Please count me in.
BreeniBooks [at] gmail [dot] com
This would be a great way to get my husband and I on the same track with all of our paperwork! I hope the random draw lands on me! :)
thanks for the great contest!
hellomary018ATyahooDOTcom
My desk is a total mess, maybe this would help me be better organized.
Great, I could really use this, hope I win.
woohoo! just what I need!! hope I win