A useful filing system answers two questions: where should this file go now and how will I retrieve it later. It does not need to model your entire life.
Start with one inbox
New scans, attachments, and downloads first enter an Inbox folder. Process it weekly so it does not become another unstructured archive.
A few categories are enough: identity, home, finance, health, work or education, and major purchases. Move closed periods into yearly archives.
Use one naming pattern
YYYY-MM-DD_type_organization_subject
2026-08-08_contract_provider_internet
2026-08-08_receipt_store_laptopAvoid “new” and “final.” Those labels do not explain a version one year later. Use a date or coverage period for records that change.
Separate organization from security
A folder hierarchy is not a backup. Keep critical files in at least two independent locations, protect access, and verify that restoration works. Do not expose sensitive records through open sharing.
Process the inbox during a weekly life admin session. If paper and digital records are already mixed, begin with how to sort accumulated documents.
In Flammy, schedule a weekly inbox task and a separate monthly backup check. Open Flammy