With the end of the year upon us I'm wondering what, if anything, do you do to switch your files from 2010 to 2011?

While I don't keep a lot of paper files so I don't need to switch out folders or anything like that I do package up the contents of my binder (in which I write all inquiries, client info, etc), put it into a 2010 folder and start fresh for the new year.

I do keep paper files. Every year has a labeled box, and my 2010 box is ready to start holding files from this year. It would already have had some folders in it, but I discovered I was just about out of hanging folders, so had to get more (and found them on sale!). So tomorrow, the switchover will begin. I'll put the 2010 folders in the box for that year, and start making folders for 2011 to put in my file drawers for bills, medical records, credit-card records, and so on. While I'm moving the files, I might toss or winnow a few, but that is best put off at least until taxes are done, if not for several months or longer.

Later, I'll get my box from 2002 down from the attic, and go through it, maybe while watching TV. Anything without sensitive information will go into the recycle bin. Anything with something such as an account number will go into a stack for DS, the official shredder, to shred.

Tax info stays downstairs until I've gotten all the details from it that I need. I've been good the past year about logging many things right away on the computer, but I like to check them against paper documents before finalizing the figures. And I have to wait for 1099s before I can wrap up the info that I send to the tax preparer. Meanwhile, I will have set up tax folders for 2011, mostly empty at this point, so that if there is anything related to this year's taxes, I can put it into the correct folder.

I file my receipts for the year. I make copies of same store receipts on a page. I only do this for items that have a warranty or we may want to know when we bought it. I filed those today.

I have all the medical eobs and bills filed. DH and I both have medical binders so it is easy to do. This year I want to go through the binders and list our diagnoses and dates.

We have a folder with take out menus. I went through that and removed menus from places that closed or ones we do not frequent. That was about half the folder.

I am still working on the filing for the end of the year. It has been narrowed to 2 piles, the stuff that has been paid but is not yet filed and the "go through me and figure out what to do" pile.

Once done with that then I will pull everything out of the file drawer, put in a box for the storage room and start anew. I just transfer the files to new non hanging folders and reuse the ones I have, making any adjustments for any changes for the new year.