If the ice maker on your refrigerator suddenly starts making a weird noise because someone under three was pressing all of the door buttons would you know what to do? Or, more likely, would you know where your refrigerator manual is located so you can find out what to do?
If your home is anything like ours after our move last year, manuals are the least of your worries, until you actually need them. This week, I decided to get all of our product manuals organized and filed, so they would be on hand when needed. This was inspired by too many boxes in the basement and out own ice maker.
I’m happy to report that the task is completed. I learned two main things from this project: We have way too many things, judging by the volume of manual, and my husband never throws out any piece of paper that contains a model number, a mechanical drawing or receipt for anything he owned past the age of five.
I started by attacking all of the places where manuals were: in boxes, on shelves, etc. I first divided the manuals into three piles: things I knew we currently had, things we no longer had and things I just wasn’t sure about.
I then made up a filing system of folders for the manuals, with a hanging folder and space in the filing cabinet. I divided the manuals as follows:
- Appliances (Major)
- Appliances (Small)
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Lawn and Garden
- Miscellaneous
- Personal Items
- Power Tools
- Toys
This division made sense for the manuals I had. All of the manuals for things we currently had went into the folder. Things we no longer had either went into recycling or were mailed or held for the people we had given those things to. The mystery pile went to my husband for sorting or discussing.
Of course, I still couldn’t locate the refrigerator manual, but my hard work did pay off with that manual after all. I came downstairs this morning to find it sitting in the family room, and all I can conclude is that either my organizing inspired my husband to find it, or we have helpful house elves.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don’t miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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