The one box filing method??

So the SimpleProductivity blog has posited the somewhat controversial idea that putting everything in one big box can be the best way to handle filing.   The author suggests that some people just aren’t wired to maintain a more complicated filing system.  (I think I might fall into that category!)  Actually, I think this idea might make sense even for those who can handle filing.  Depending on the situation, it could take more time and psychic energy to decide what folder items should go in, create folders, reorganize when you run out of space, search within folders for information that is no longer needed, and then for all that you might still have trouble finding something because you can’t remember what you filed it under!  In my life, it is unusual for me to need to get things out of my files, and upon reflection, I don’t think it is really worth all the time and bother.  Really, I spend more time filing than I save when searching. 

Basically the system is to put everything you want to keep in one box, then at the end of the year date it, put it away in a closet, and start a new box.  However, I am not sure I would really go quite as far as one box only.  I think that there are some things that you will clearly likely need to refer back to: passports, titles, and items that are action items (but for later) like business receipts. These could each have their own file or be combined in an “important documents” file. I also like to have a separate file for “memory” items, such as letters, postcards, childhood drawings, etc. It might also make sense to keep two “catch-all” boxes, one for items that you are willing to throw away after X amount of years, and other items that you want to keep indefinitely.  That would save the trouble of having to sort through everything when you want to get rid of an old box.