If you live in an area that sees all the season like I do. September is a reminder that you have some long months coming up. Not only are you getting back to school, but you are thinking about upcoming holidays, colder weather, snow, etc. I have complied a detailed checklist of things to do to help ease those concerns and get ready for the fall and winter months! 

With school in full swing, artwork and accomplishments are going to soon be flooding into the house. Every piece of it being important and sentimental. The question then becomes how to store all these amazing items?? Well here are a few suggestions to preserve these precious memories. 

Creating a file box to store your child(ren)s accomplishments is a quick, easy set-up, and is flexible in terms of how you organize. This system also allows you to create individual bins if you have more than one child.  Using the steps below you can create individual areas to store all that paper. 

Step 1: Get a file bin. Like the one pictured above a file bin, as opposed to a box, will help protect the paperwork inside and allow you to store them in a basement, attic, or even garage. Check out this one from Amazon- $13.59 per box

Step 2: Get 13 expandable, hanging file folders, label them K-12. Using these expandable files allows you to store up to 400 pages in one file.   
Check these files out from Amazon- $18.99/25 pack 

Step 3: Get regular file folders, label them ARTWORK, REPORT CARDS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, SCHOOL PHOTOS (any other ones you deem necessary), once labeled place one of each in every grade. You can color code them as well, for example, all report cards go in the red folders, all pictures in the green folders, etc. Labeling and/or color coding will allow for quick filing when these papers are coming in.
Check these files out from Amazon- $7.99/36 pack

Step 4: File! Once you have created the system you are all set up and ready to file all those memories.

TIP: School papers and artwork are a great way for your child(ren) to start learning what is special, what is not, what to keep, & what to get rid of. Don't make the decisions for them, teach them organizing strategies they'll be able to apply for the rest of their lives. ​

In today’s day and age you no longer need to keep physical documents if you don’t need/want to. This way is probably the easiest and most effective use of space. 

Step 1: In whatever time frame you wish (weekly, monthly, quarterly) scan or photograph all important documents you wish to save. 

Step 2: Upload to your computer. 

Step 3: ORGANIZE! Use the same system you would in a file bin but store them digitally on a computer. Create folders with each grade for each child. Then create subfolders to separate the documents into. 

Step 4: Back up the information on a flash-drive and you will never have to worry about losing those precious memories.