How many times have you seen your desk cluttered with paper? Do you always drive yourself crazy finding documents that are really important?

If you answered YES to these questions, you really need a good filing system.

You won’t believe how much time you can save by having an efficient filing system. Not only that, you also bring your stress level a few notches down. Index card file cabinets can do this job for you as they are great for storing your files and other important documents. They are also unbelievably affordable!

You can also easily personalize them using different methods: decoupage, stencil and glitters. You can also paint them with your favorite color and write on the lid.

You can find index card file cabinets in your local office supplies store or you can order them online. Amazon.com has a wide selection of these supplies. Make sure you buy the size that will best fit your files. It must be as large as you need it to be. Most people do not really need a huge, commercial-size cabinet and they get by just fine with small index card file cabinets.

Go through all the papers, documents, notes, letters, receipts, warranties and anything else written or printed on paper in your house. Arrange them in stacks and then label your files accordingly. I like to label mine like this- car insurance, house insurance, birth certificates, transcript of records, utility bills, legal documents, etc. If you don’t want to create your own tabs or labels, you can just buy them.

File everything in neat stacks in the corresponding boxes. It would be better if you can label the index card file cabinets according to year. Put the file cabinet in your home office or bedroom or anywhere that is easily accessible for you. Some people like to put them though in storage closets, the basement or the attic.

Find the perfect index card holder in our index card holder store

Using an index card file box is a great way to store your files, accessories, cards, pictures and anything you can think of! Sometimes these boxes are not so exciting to look at though and here’s when your creative skills come in handy. Adding color and images or other decorations make the box more personal.

Here are a couple of ways on how you can decorate an index card box:

-Decoupage

Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it in combination with special effects. Since the lid of the box will be the most noticeable part to display the art, the lid should be clean and smooth. You can either apply paint or stain on the surface before gluing the cutout images. For a recipe index card box, you can cut out food images from a magazine or you can print some photos from your computer. Select photos that represent what’s inside the box but then again you can always do it your way!

Glue the images on the lid and let them dry completely and finish the project with coats of lacquer. Remember that each coat of lacquer needs to be completely dry before applying a second layer. The more coats that you apply, the better your finished result will be.

-Stencil

Stencils are very easy to use and you can’t believe the results they create. You can buy them at craft stores in various styles and font sizes. You can arrange the stencils in an arc or a random manner. You can use the stencils to put names on the lid or anything that would tell you what is inside the box. You can go crazy and trace some butterflies or flowers then dab paint on them using a sponge or a brush. Let the paint dry and then carefully remove the stencil.

-Colored Paper

If you want to keep it simple and easy, you can just use colored papers to decorate your index card box. Rip off strips of the paper and tear them into squares. Use PVA adhesive in the same way, apply the scraps of the paper to the box one at a time while slightly overlapping them. For a clean finish, you can brush squares of colored paper with glue and then wrap around the edges and rim of the box. Finally, apply a final coat of diluted PVA, flatten any wrinkles or curling edges. Leave overnight to dry.

Find the perfect index card holder in our index card holder store

Doesn’t it ever annoy you when you always lose your recipes? You drive yourself crazy whenever you try to remember where you put that tiny piece of paper. This has been me for the last couple of years until recently. A recipe index card system is all you need to spare yourself from copying the recipe and then losing it after you’re done cooking and baking.

Here are the easy steps on how you can easily create a recipe index card filing system:

1.) Copy each recipe onto a 3×5 inch index card. If you are using blank cards, you may want to use a ruler to keep the lines straight. You can write on either side and make sure your titles are specific but concise. Make the steps as short but understandable as possible (well at least to you).

2.) Decide whether you want to subdivide or categorize your recipes by meal type, food type or family member favorites. Whatever it is that you choose, it should be easily recognizable to you. I like to categorize mine like this: appetizers, chicken entrees, beef entrees, pork entrees, desserts, cakes, breads, drinks and so on. Others find it easier to arrange their recipes alphabetically.

3.) You can label your categories using divider tabs and use those to separate the categories accordingly. You can buy these tabs in any office supplies store.

4.) Now start adding each recipe index card into your filing system behind their proper tabs.

5.) Keep the recipe box or filing system in your kitchen so it will be just there waiting the next time you need a meal idea.

To make everything easier for you, you can make your own table of contents. This will be your quick reference to see what you have in the folder. You can list the contents of your folder in a word processor or a spreadsheet program, print it out and then place it on the first page of your recipe index card system.

Find the perfect index card holder in our index card holder store

An index card is an inexpensive and convenient way to jot things down and believe it or not, a lot of people still use them. There are various index card sizes and types to choose from according to your needs. You can find blank, ruled, grid-patterned index cards that come in multiple colors including pink, blue, yellow, green and purple. Of course white is still the most familiar among other colors.

You can even get cards with color-coded strips at the top. Oh yes they also have evolved through the years! Index cards are usually sold in shrink-wrapped, spiral bound or perforated packages. You can also purchase tabbed card dividers so you can organize your cards more properly.

Index card sizes come in 3×5, 4×6 and 5×8 inches. The most common is the 3×5 index card and it is still used in library catalogs. Its original function was in fact to form indices. Information was written on the cards and then they are filed either alphabetically or numerically in chests with drawers customized to fit the cards. Today, index cards are used for a lot of purposes.

Aside from writing notes, you can also make your own flashcards. You don’t have to spend much plus you get to personalize them. If you want your child to learn new words faster, you can write the word and then draw a thing that symbolizes the word. Another way on how to use index cards is to use them as Math flashcards. For young children, you may want to consider drawing small pictures instead of using just numbers. For example, instead of writing 3 + 3, draw 3 circles plus 3 circles. What index card sizes are perfect for flashcards? I would use 4×6 or 5×8.

You can also use index cards to jot down your study notes. This is a very effective way of studying, well at least for me. Just write down the important keywords or phrases instead of flipping through the pages of your book.

Find the perfect index card holder in our index card holder store

We live in a digital age and we do almost everything on the web but there are some things that still require “old school” handling. Whether you like it or not, the good old paper will never be out of fashion.

The only problem with paper documents or files is storage and organization. I’m guilty of driving myself crazy each time I need an important document like my birth certificate or various appliance warranties and instruction manuals. Yup I don’t really bother with them unless I need them but I learned my lesson. My life was so much easier since I decided to keep everything organized and well-kept. Boxes that come with index card dividers are the perfect solution for this problem.

Index card dividers are really great when it comes to file organization.

I always keep very important documents in one box such as transcript of records, marriage certificate, birth certificate and house title. I buy colored index card dividers and label them accordingly so I don’t spend too much time looking for the files I need. I also keep receipts and warranties in one box. For my recipes, I like to subdivide them accordingly as well- appetizers, dips, non-alcoholic drinks, alcoholic drinks, beef entrees, chicken entrees, pork entrees and desserts.

Most index card dividers are made up of polypropylene which will stand up for years but if you want yours to be more personalized, you can go ahead and try creating some. You can use printable cardboard and design your dividers using either MS Word or Adobe Photoshop. This is really fun if you like designing and personalizing your stuff. You can also create your own labels and tags. I like putting some thumbnail photos on each label especially on my recipes so it’s easy for me to identify the categories.

Find the perfect index card holder in our index card holder store

There are plenty of printable index cards that you can find online, some are even for free but personalizing your cards is so much better. I always wanted mine to be different and when people see them, I want them to think of me. With MS Word 2007, it’s so easy to do this. You can use card stock or Word’s built-in templates so you can print on perforated index card sheets. Card stock is usually more affordable however perforated cards are easier to separate and they have a cleaner edge than scissors will provide.

When making your own printable index cards, the first step would be to click the “Page Layout” tab. This can be found at the top of a new document and then select “Size” from the banner of options. Pick your preferred card size. Your document will then shrink to the selected measurement. Click “Orientation” from the “Page Layout” options and then choose “Landscape”. This will give you a horizontal card layout. If you want a vertical card layout, you can skip this step and stick to the default “Portrait” layout.

If you need more space to type your notes, select “Narrow” from the “Page Layout” options. Adjust your font and spacing from the “Home” tab if necessary. You can press the “Ctrl” and “Enter” keys on your keyboard to create a new blank card. You can also click “Breaks” from the “Page Layout” tab and select “Page” from the menu to create the next card. Repeat this step for as many cards as you want to create. Your cards will be aligned within the document.

Now here’s the fun part, you can add color, notes and clip art on each of your printable index cards. You can do so much, the sky is the limit! If you’re a Photoshop techie, you can go ahead and use that instead of MS Word. Print your index cards on card stock once you have completed your personalized design then cut them into individual cards.

Find the perfect index card holder in our index card holder store

File organization is very easy and yet a lot of us fail to do it. How many times you remember driving yourself nuts because you don’t remember where you put an important document? If this has been your dilemma for the last couple of years, it’s time for you to put your organizational skills into good use. All you need is a good index card storage box to keep you sane for the rest of your life.

Here are the steps on how to create a filing system:

1.) Find an index card storage box that would house your documents. These boxes come in different sizes and colors so choose one that will best fit your storage needs. Cost can be anywhere between $5 and $20. Pick a box that comes with a follower box to insure your index cards or files stand upright.

2.) Assemble a stack of documents or index cards that will fit comfortably in the index card storage box

3.) It would be great if you can write down labels for your files so it will be easier for you each time you look. There are a lot of ways to group your files such as by date, by type or by alphabetical order. For my recipes, I like to write them on 3×5 index cards and keep them in an index card storage box. I put labels like appetizers, drinks, entrees, desserts and snacks.

Let your creative side out, use different colors for your tabs or labels. You can even add thumbnail pictures to the labels. Do this for all your important documents like receipts, appliance and gadget warranties, insurance files, etc. My life has been so much easier since I decided to use index card storage boxes to organize my files. I’m a pretty forgetful person so this has tremendously helped my everyday living.

Find the perfect index card holder in our index card holder store

My leather index card holder was really inexpensive – like $4 online.

It came with 25 index cards and I bought a special pen (I’ll tell you about that in a minute).

My index card holder is small. You can toss it in your purse, lap top bag, or even in a back pocket so you always have it with you.

Having this index card holder has made a big difference in my productivity and it helps my brain relax.

There are so many things to remember each day that my brain just shuts down. That’s when I learned to organize my thoughts, projects, and needs (both for business and for home) with index cards – but then I had a million index cards all over the place and would never seem to have the right one when I needed it.






I love my stylish leather index card file – definitely the best $4 I ever spent. You can see the one I bought by clicking here – or just click the picture.

My Special Pen For My Leather Index Card Holder

To REALLY make my leather card holder make me feel special, I bought a fantastic pen just for my index card holder.

This is one of those “space pens” – you know the kinds that can write at any angle…even upside down or in zero-gravity.

Now, not many of us will need a pen that writes in a zero-gravity situation, but this pen is phenomenal!

I can be in bed and have a sudden idea or something I need to remember, and I don’t even need to sit up to write and then put it all back into my leather index card holder.

The leather card holder has a special slot just for your pen so you don’t have to worry about losing it and a pen is always handy when you need to make a note.

I’ve let friends borrow my special pen when they need to jot something down and ALL of them LOVE the pen – and I’d bet most of them considered “accidentally” slipping it into their pocket and making it THEIR pen…lol!

This is the nifty Fisher space pen that I got. You can click the picture or just click here to read more about it.