A:
It all depends on how full you make them! I recommend this as a tool to sort mail the moment it comes into the house, rather than cluttering up the first flat surface one encounters. I recommend nine files: BILLS, PHONE CALLS TO MAKE, TO BE FILED (in a permanent file), TO READ TIME SENSITIVE, HUSBAND'S NAME, CHILD'S NAME (make them responsible for the mail which comes for them), UPCOMING EVENTS (where else do you put tickets 3 months before a performance?); SHOPPING (pages from a catalogue); and TO READ EVENTUALLY (publications which will still be interesting months later). If this last file becomes too overwhelming, keep in a second file; still better than piles all over the house!
Answered on 11/28/2010 by Professional Organizer Carolyn from Tucson, AZ