1. Create separate folders for each of your budget categories:
Income (Master Folder)
(Sub Folders)
Salary (paystubs)
Pension Account Information
Interest/Dividend Accounts
Net from Investments/Rents
(Sub Folders)
Rent received (copies of contracts/checks)
Expenses (Sub Folders)
Mortgage
Insurance
Taxes
Utilities
Gift/Inheritance
Other
Tithe & Offering (keep receipts)
Tax Returns (copies & back up documents by year; keep 3 years + 1)
Housing (Master Folder)
(Sub Folders)
Mortgage/Rent
House Insurance
Real Estate Tax
Electric/Gas/Oil
Telephone
Trash
Water
Cable TV
Food (Receipts are required if you are claiming a disputable exemption)
Auto (Master Folder)
(Sub Folders)
Payments
Gas
Auto Insurance
License Tag
Repairs/Maintenance
Insurance (Personal) (Master Folder)
(Sub Folders)
Life
Health
Debts (Master Folder)
(Sub Folders) by Debtor
Entertainment (Master Folder)
(Sub Folders)
Dining Out
Trips/Vacations
Babysitters
Activities
Video Rentals
Clothing (by individual) keep receipts on items to be donated later
Savings Accounts
Investment Accounts
Medical Expense (Master Folder)
(Sub Folders)
Doctor (per doctor)
Dentists
Prescriptions
Miscellaneous (Master Folder)
(Sub Folders)
Drug Store Items
Beauty/Barber
Laundry/Dry Cleaning
Subscriptions
Gifts (Including Christmas) in event of returns
Special Education
Pet/Veterinarian