Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

5 legal ways to reduce your capital gains tax on investment property

5 legal ways to reduce your capital gains tax on investment property

How to wrap a gift when the paper is too short

How to wrap a gift when the paper is too short

Adam’s time-saving DIY hacks

Adam’s time-saving DIY hacks

The one product you should never travel without

The one product you should never travel without

{headline}

{headline}

How you can save money on your home loan by going green

How you can save money on your home loan by going green

Five important financial decisions to make this January

Five important financial decisions to make this January

This is how long it takes to save a home deposit in Sydney

This is how long it takes to save a home deposit in Sydney

{headline}

{headline}

The potential property hotspots for 2020

The potential property hotspots for 2020

How to stop sticky ingredients sticking to measuring cups

How to stop sticky ingredients sticking to measuring cups

How to sharpen your knife with a mug

How to sharpen your knife with a mug

Clean window and sliding door tracks with this 2-minute hack

Clean window and sliding door tracks with this 2-minute hack

The January 2020 changes all first home buyers need to know about

The January 2020 changes all first home buyers need to know about

7 ways to slash your bills in the New Year

7 ways to slash your bills in the New Year

Why you should reconsider hosting an open house inspection

Why you should reconsider hosting an open house inspection

  1. Home
  2. Finance

How to hack your financial paperwork

Never stress again. - by Laura Barry
  • 10 Sep 2018

Receipts, payslips, bills, invoices, superannuation, investments, insurances, mortgage, the list of financial paperwork we deal with on a daily, weekly and monthly basis is long and overwhelming. They key to putting yourself in control of this paper mess is streamlining processes and getting organised. You’ll never lose a receipt or miss a payment again.

Organise

Take an afternoon to go through all of your paperwork and file it away correctly. Use a binger, filing drawer or filing envelope and dedicate one pouch/file to each thing, and label it. Include taxes by year, insurances, healthcare, receipts, bills, bank accounts, etc.

Stick to the plan

Once you put a plan in place, make sure you stick to it and maintain it. If you have a desk or office at home, create a tray for incoming financial paperwork and file it away correctly each week after paying it, actioning it or following it up.

filing trays
Getty

Pay as you go

As soon as you get a bill in your email or mailbox at home, pay it. If you can’t pay it, keep I on a desk in clear sight and mark in your diary or a calendar when it is due by. Get it paid as soon as possible then file it away.

Photograph, scan or email your paperwork

Reduce the mess of paper and digitise everything. Set up folders on your computer as you would in the real world and file all your digitised paperwork away. If digital isn’t your thing, consider digitising at least your receipts, and filing them on your computer. This way they never fade and you won’t lose them before tax time. Many retailers now offer to email you a receipt.

receipt printing from laptop
Getty

Declutter

Just like spring cleaning, each year around tax time spend some time reading through all the paperwork you have collected and decide what needs to stay and what can go. Keep only the important documents you need and get rid of any unnecessary clutter and paperwork from closed bank accounts, loans or insurance policies.

You might also like:

How an empty cola bottle can save you money

5 financial questions to ask your significant other

1 in 6 Australians fall into this debt trap

  • Finance
  • Better Life
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

5 legal ways to reduce your capital gains tax on investment property

5 legal ways to reduce your capital gains tax on investment property

How to wrap a gift when the paper is too short

How to wrap a gift when the paper is too short

Adam’s time-saving DIY hacks

Adam’s time-saving DIY hacks

The one product you should never travel without

The one product you should never travel without

{headline}

{headline}

How you can save money on your home loan by going green

How you can save money on your home loan by going green

Five important financial decisions to make this January

Five important financial decisions to make this January

This is how long it takes to save a home deposit in Sydney

This is how long it takes to save a home deposit in Sydney

{headline}

{headline}

The potential property hotspots for 2020

The potential property hotspots for 2020

How to stop sticky ingredients sticking to measuring cups

How to stop sticky ingredients sticking to measuring cups

How to sharpen your knife with a mug

How to sharpen your knife with a mug

Clean window and sliding door tracks with this 2-minute hack

Clean window and sliding door tracks with this 2-minute hack

The January 2020 changes all first home buyers need to know about

The January 2020 changes all first home buyers need to know about

7 ways to slash your bills in the New Year

7 ways to slash your bills in the New Year

Why you should reconsider hosting an open house inspection

Why you should reconsider hosting an open house inspection

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!