Happy Mothers Day!! I hope you all enjoy this day & take time to relax & spend time with your loved ones. Today I have a guest, Oksana from Order Matters. She is going to challenge us to get organized! This challenge is an area where I could use a little help. How about you? Also, Oksana is generously giving away a LABELER to one lucky reader!! What an awesome giveaway!
Hi, I am Oksana from Order Matters! Thank you, Toni, for allowing me to guest post on A Bowl Full of Lemons. I am thrilled to be sharing an organizing system with you all that has always worked for me.
Hi, I am Oksana from Order Matters! Thank you, Toni, for allowing me to guest post on A Bowl Full of Lemons. I am thrilled to be sharing an organizing system with you all that has always worked for me.One order matter not to be ignored is the organization of warranty information. Our homes, closets, and garages are filled with valuable assets. Most of these assets make our lives easier and more enjoyable. Thus, in the unfortunate and stressful event that an appliance fails to perform or a certain product is being recalled, it is critical to have your warranty information and user guides well organized. If you do not have a stress-free system in place to keep track of all the paperwork, I challenge you to try and get your warranties in order.
Here is a list of supplies you will need for this project:
Binder (3″ heavy-duty preferred)
Sheet protectors
Index tab dividers
Label maker
All of your warranties, user guides or manuals, and original receipts
Your calendar
Camera (optional)
Access to computer with printer (optional)
Time required:
Depending on the condition of your current filing system and a number of warranties you have, this project can take 90 mins or longer.
General guidelines – records to keep:
- Original purchase receipt
- Owner’s manual or user guide
- Warranty
- Model and serial numbers (sometimes located on the packaging, please cut them out or take a picture)
Please note that it is critical to maintain a receipt of purchase. Most manufacturers and/or service providers will not honour a warranty without the actual proof of purchase.
Items to toss:
Make sure that your new purchase functions properly before throwing anything out. I recommend keeping the original packaging for at least a month. After that, there is no reason for dedicating valuable storage space to empty boxes.
Once you got your supplies and warranties/manuals/receipts ready, you are can create your binder.
I. I use a 3″ heavy-duty view binder. Depending on the number of items you have, you might require more than one binder.
II. I printed out the following general categories of valuables on Avery Ready Index 5-tab dividers (with a table of contents):
- Appliances
- Furniture & Custom Cabinetry
- Home Improvements & Outdoor Items
- Technology
- Miscellaneous
Depending on the number of warranties you have, you might want to create additional categories. Does your car or boat have a warranty? Is there one for your home (if you bought a newly constructed home, there should be a warranty on the house)? If you have expensive hobbies, you might want to dedicate a special section in the binder to those items as well.
III. Staple the original receipt to the product warranty.
IV. Use a sheet protector to hold all items relevant to one product: receipt, warranty, and user guide, if any.
V. Print out a label with the date of warranty expiration and stick it onto the user guide so that it stands out.
VI. Sometimes you might have more than one of the same item or perhaps, the warranty and the receipt do not clearly identify the product to which they belong. In those situations, I recommend you either make a note specifying what that item is or attach a picture of the product.
VII. Insert the sheet protectors containing documents into the appropriate sections of your binder.
VIII. If you plan to extend a warranty on a product you own, I recommend marking your calendar in advance to contact the manufacturer or merchant prior to the expiration of the current warranty.
A note about digital warranty organizing options. You can scan warranties and receipts and save them on your computer or even use a website designed specifically for this purpose: https://www.warrantyelephant.com/. My serious reservation about recommending this method of storing warranties and receipts is that many manufacturers and merchants still require to see original proof of purchase in the event of a needed repair or replacement of a defective product. Warranty Elephant is an effective tool for reminding you of an upcoming warranty expiration. However, I feel that you can easily achieve the same goal by using your own calendar.
Looking forward to seeing your warranty organization systems. Happy organizing!
What kind of challenge would this be without a giveaway?We are giving away this great Dymo LetraTag Plus LT100H Labeller
Small, sleek and super portable.The ideal label maker for the home or small office. It prints on a variety of colored labels, plus adds popular text features like multiple font styles, underlining, bolding, text sizing and more.To enter this giveaway:1) Be a follower of A Bowl Full of Lemons blog & facebook page.2) Like Order Matters on Facebook and/or become a follower of the blog.3) Comment on this blog post to let us know that you have done steps 1 and 2.4) For an extra entry, join the challenge this week & leave a comment saying so.The winner will be chosen via random.org, by your comment #. US and Canadian residents ONLY please.Good luck! The giveaway ends on May 12th at 11:59 pm eastern time.IF YOU WOULD LIKE To JOIN OUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK, LINK UP and GRAB A BUTTON!!
Small, sleek and super portable.The ideal label maker for the home or small office. It prints on a variety of colored labels, plus adds popular text features like multiple font styles, underlining, bolding, text sizing and more.To enter this giveaway:1) Be a follower of A Bowl Full of Lemons blog & facebook page.2) Like Order Matters on Facebook and/or become a follower of the blog.3) Comment on this blog post to let us know that you have done steps 1 and 2.4) For an extra entry, join the challenge this week & leave a comment saying so.The winner will be chosen via random.org, by your comment #. US and Canadian residents ONLY please.Good luck! The giveaway ends on May 12th at 11:59 pm eastern time.IF YOU WOULD LIKE To JOIN OUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK, LINK UP and GRAB A BUTTON!!
binders, Organize, weekly challenge Posted in 126 comments
126 comments on “Weekly Challenge – Organizing warranties & manuals & LABELER GIVEAWAY”
This is great! I am a huge culprit of losing my warranty info, so I can’t wait to implement this. 🙂 I’m a follower of both FaceBook pages! 🙂
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I’m a follower of both blogs!
I accept the warranty challenge, and I have the perfect binder to start me off!
I’ve done steps 1 & 2. 🙂 Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
Steps 1 & 2…done & done! Thanks so much for the chance to win!!!
#1 & #2 done! Thanks!
Have done steps 1 & 2; And thank you for guesting Order Matters (I needed that) as well as the great giveaway 🙂
I follow both blogs.
I like Order Matters on FB.
I like Bowl Full of Lemons on FB.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I’ve done steps 1 & 2!!
Great giveaway!
I have done steps 1 and 2 (Renee Chapman)! hootpuddin2(at)gmail(dot)com
i am joining this challenge! hootpuddin2(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow A Bowl full of Lemons
I follow Order Matters gewestonatgmaildotcome
I follow both blogs. A labeler would be perfect to help me organize!
I have completed steps 1 and 2.
I’m joining this challenge.
#’s 1 & 2 Done! Thanks
This is something that I have needed to do for such a long time. (50 yrs?) My user manuals, receipts, warranties all get stuffed in a hanging file folder. Then each time I need one I have to dig. Thanks for getting me going. Better later that never.
I didn’t realize you had a FB page, but I’ve jumped over & clicked “like!!” I’ve also been following for a few weeks now 😀
I went & checked out OM’s FB page & blog. Good stuff! Liked & following her too.
I follow A Bowl Full of Lemons blog!
I like ABFOL on Facebook 🙂
I “Like” Order Matters on FB
I follow Order Matters blog.
Great idea! I follow A bowl full of lemons!
I follow Order Matters with GFC now!
Count me in!
I follow your blog and facebook.
navybaby1113 (at) gmail (dot) com
I like Order Matters on facebook.
navybaby1113 (at) gmail (dot) com
I love the ideas for organizing warranties! I am following both blogs and liking both pages on Facebook. Yay!
I liked both pages on Facebook and now a follower of Order Matters.
dreaminof808@yahoo.com
1 & 2 done. Love this and really need it. will be making myself one of these. Thanks for the give away and pointing me toward her blog. Love yours.
I follow both of you!
I just found both of these sites today. I love the warranties binder and I am looking forward to getting some great ideas from both blogs. thanks and keep up the good work!
I like these sites on facebook too!
I can’t wait to get started on this. Ours are so disorganized. I follow your blog and like you on facebook. Just signed up to follow order matters.
I love your blog, and I can’t wait to check out Order Matters. Steps 1 and 2 are complete!!!
Oh, and I’m joining the challenge! Don’t have much that is still under warranty (other than our car lol) but having the user manuals and everything together in one easy to find spot is going to make a world of difference!!
Steps #1 and #2 done. What a great giveway. I definitely need to work on our warranties.
Thank you for this opportunity! I have completed steps #1 & #2.
~Julianne~
Hi, I am back to the blogger world and am loving it. (I took a break for school, it’s just over rated when that side of your brain doesn’t work as well as the other) In the meantime, my house has fallen apart in the organizational aspect and I am at a loss as to where to start! I have 5 kids who never put things back where anything goes and can never find anything! I think having a super duper labeler would help so much! I’m crossing my fingers, but in the meantime, I love that I can indulge my OCD side and be able to have time to clean, organize and be a happy mom in general again. I look forward to your new posts on Facebook and on the blog, and can’t wait to see what you do next!
I’ve done 1 and 2. Now that we have all new kitchen appliances, I should really do this 🙂
I completed Steps 1 & 2!
I follow your blog & like you on FB! I also follow Order Matters & I like them on FB!
Completed steps 1 & 2. What a great giveaway!!
Bensmama06@yahoo.com
I liked Order Matters on facebook!
aimee.highley2@gmail.com
I liked a Bowl full of lemons on facebook!
aimee.highley2@gmail.com
Well, I have them in a couple of folders in our office drawers, but they really need to be culled and organized. Love this idea! Did steps 1 and 2. Thanks!
I am a follower of both blogs. This is a great idea, finally the kitchen drawer will not be filled with all these documents.
Steps 1 & 2 Complete!! This giveaway is AMAZING!!! What I would do for the drawer of manuals and warranties to be organized! Thanks!
I’ve done #1 and #2!
I’m following ABFOL & I “like” their FB page!
bjtippett7@gmail.com
I “like” OM on FB! 🙂
bjtippett7@gmail.com
I follow OM via GFC! 🙂
bjtippett7@gmail.com
I’ve done steps 1 & 2… 🙂
bjtippett7@gmail.com
I’ve done both 1 and 2!! I love your blog! The parade of homes was so great. I looked forward to it each day to see the fun and different ways everyone decorates! Thank you for all the time you put into your blog! It is so much fun AND my favorite blog!
I like Order Matters on facebook.
mary.trehan at yahoo.com
like your blog on facebook
i will try to join your challenge this week
I have done both steps 1 and 2. Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
I have done steps 1 & 2. I need all the help I can get in the organizing department!
Signed up to follow order matters
Fb liked blogs
I have joined the challenged, befriended on FB, and followed the blogs… thank you.
I did steps 1 and 2.Thanks for the great information!
I’ve been lusting after a label maker for quite a while! I’m a follower of ABFL!
Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
I did steps 1 & 2! 🙂
I’m participating in the challenge!
I have completed steps 1 and 2
I am a follower and a fan on Facebook of ABFOL.
I will definitely be joining this challenge, this is soemthing I’ve been needing to do for a while!
I just liked Order Matters on Facebook.
I definitely need to do this! Thanks for a great post!
Done, Done, and Done. *fingers crossed* 😀 And thanks for the chance to win such a useful tool!! 🙂
I follow a bowl full of lemons on this blog and facebook and I now follow Order Matters blog!
I like you both! I also ordered from Shaklee last week under you – hoping the box will be there when I get home today!
Thanks
Jackie
I just liked both sites. Toni, I recently found your blog and really love it! Just finished Recipe and Home Management binders, now working on warranties! Thanks!
I like ABFOL on Facebook!
Fashion In The Forest on Facebook:)
I like Order matters on Facebook:)
typicaltype@hotmail.com
fashion in the forest
I follow the Order Matters blog as Fashion In The Forest
typicaltype@hotmail.com
fashionintheforest.blogspot.com
I follow ABFOL on GFC (you’re part of my daily reads list!)
typicaltype@hotmail.com
fashionintheforest.blogspot.com
I am following both sites on facebook and their blogs and would love a new label maker to finish my warranty binder!
Oh my! I so need a label maker!!! Thank you for the opportunity! Following you with GFC and on FB, and following Order Matters on FB.
Crossing my fingers!!!!
Great idea to have everything in one binder. I have done steps one and two and desperately need a label maker.
Follower! So excited, fingers crossed, hope I am the lucky winner:)
blogger isn’t letting me comment under my actual name. I’m not sure who ‘blogofmylife’ is but that’s what it’s making me comment under.
I follow both blogs and like both pages on facebook. I am in desperate need of a label maker! lol
I follow you both on Facebook!
I “like” both FB pages! I’ve been wanting one of these for a long time!
jenn dot mrsdjm at gmail dot com
This is great! I’ve done steps 1&2! I’ve so wanted one of these for the longest time!
taren (dot) colwell (@) gmail (dot) com.
I’ve done both 1 & 2! I’ve been eyeing a labeler for some time. It would help me keep order around my house where no one cares where things go but me!
I’m a follower here and on Facebook.
I also follow Order Matters on Facebook!
Seriously, putting these in a binder with the rest of my home inventory file is such a “DUH” moment for me. Why did I not think of that? Thanks so much for the continued inspiration. I’ll be working on this!
I’ve done 1&2! 🙂
Christina @ The Scrappy Housewife
I have completed steps one and two. 🙂
This is a great idea, most of my warrenties are in a drawer, and not organized at all. Thanks for sharing this great tip/trick/idea. And thanks for the chance to win a label maker to make the job much more fun. 🙂
Hugs,
Melissa D
mkds312@hotmail.com
sleeplesswonder.blogspot.com
I’m a follower of ABFOL! 🙂 facebook & blog
I follow Order Matters!!
I have done steps 1 & 2!! 🙂
I am a blog follower and a fb follower!
I just became a follower of Order Matters blog!
Great idea to have everything in a binder all together. I really need to do this! It would be helpful for when we move since we are military and move every 3 years or so! Hm looks like my project for this summer. Thanks for the chance to win a label maker!!!!
What a great idea! I really need to get myself organized. I just “liked” both on facebook! Thanks for the very informative post.
Great giveaway, I could label everything! I am a follower 😉
I did #1 & 2. Thanks for the chance! This is so exactly what I need!!!
Love this idea! I have 2 binders and my tabs ready. Hopefully, I will add a label maker to my project!
I did steps 1 & 2
I have been following your great blog for a few months now and your facebook:) Now some new reading from Order MAtters…thanks for you ideas and inspiration!!!
Love your challenges, i have always kept a folder of manuals and warranties…but needed an update, thanks
I completed steps 1 and 2 above.
Oh, and also, I made a sort of warranty binder. Instead of making a physical binder, I created file folders for each warranty manual. I arranged them alphabetically and attached the receipt, when we still had it.
Hi there. I completed steps 1 & 2.
emily@naptimeismytime.com
I completed steps 1&2!
need a label maker..I did them all…Chris Wooten
mcwooten1999@carolina.rr.com
I would love a labeler! I follow A Bowl Full of Lemons!
Kelly B
mrskbj (@gmail.com)
Following both! 🙂
#1 and 2 are done. 🙂
I did step 1 and 2.
I have done #1 & #2
Follow both blogs through google reader.
Like both facebook.
Hope to win the labeler.
Thanks.
I did step #1 &2. would love the labeler. Hope I win! Thanks!
I liked order matters on facebook.
Thanks!
I did steps one and two! 🙂
I LIKE both pages 🙂
I’m newly preggie and nesting! The organization challenge is going to be SO fun!!!!