Records Management in My Personal Life

When you are planning your personal record keeping system, there are three factors that play a big importance: findability, confidentiality, and safety.  Findability basically means how easy is it for you to find something particular that you are looking for.  Confidentiality is the process of keeping personal information private.  Safety is the freedom from harm and danger.  Confidentiality and safety go hand-in-hand.  If you do not keep your documents confidential, then your safety is at risk.  If your personal and private documents fall into the wrong hands, your life could be turned upside down.  I would keep all my personal medical documents in one folder, because those are very confidential.  I would mark confidential on the folders as well.  I am not exactly sure how helpful that would be, but I am willing to give it a shot to see how it would work out.

Right now, my filing method is not a good one and is very weak.  I usually just throw all my random documents into a basket and have to dig through it when I need to find just one of the documents.  I need to improve my personal record keeping habits.  I just recently purchased a filing box and some folders so that I can start to file my documents properly.  I am going to create the following folders:

• AT&T
• Bank Account Info
• Car: PT Cruiser
• Car Insurance
• Credit Card Statements
• Electronics Information
• Life Insurance
• Vet Paperwork
• Warranties

As I am going, I will make more folders for paperwork that shows up.  The folders I bought are color coded.  I will put the folders that have confidential information in the red folders.  I am going to use the green folders for folders that have financial information in them.  For paperwork that is not too confidential (warranties, vet paperwork, etc.), I will use the orange folders.