Mission Statement   My Vital File’s mission is to offer innovative, practical, top-quality organizational products and support that improve the lives of all. Our first responsibility is to the customers who use our products and services. Our second responsibility is to our employees, suppliers, funders and our world community. In carrying out our day-to-day business we will: Follow the philosophy that our customers are family, and treat them that way. Treat our employees, suppliers and funders with integrity and caring. Contribute to the quality of life in our world community by consistently donating part of our net profits to vital causes. A Message From Peggy   There comes a time in everyone’s life when something happens that spurs them into action. For me, it was after my father had passed away and I was helping my mother pull together the necessary paperwork for the lawyer, accountant, insurance company, bank and other agencies requiring assorted documents pertaining to the settlement of his estate. I found myself drowning in a sea of paper, files, and folders literally pouring out of the drawers, file cabinets and from under the desk, not to mention the storage “cage” in the garage of their condo where the tax returns were kept. Actually, 52 years of papers, files and folders!   My mother was overwhelmed, not just with the piles of paperwork she found herself left with, but with grief and all of the accompanying feelings that come with the loss of a spouse. So I spent the next week weeding out documents, files and folders, reorganizing her office and setting up a home filing system. She was grateful, it felt great that I could do something for her ­— but what I discovered was something so great that it invaded my thoughts and dreams on almost a daily basis. I finally figured out what it was. I had, after 52 years, been able to give something back to my mother!  I cried — I was so grateful.   During the next several months I became increasingly aware of the fact that my husband and I were faced with dealing with a deluge of documents on a daily basis. I knew other friends also felt overwhelmed by their paperwork. Prior to my second marriage, I had been a single mother for over 12 years, and I had often felt overwhelmed when trying to maintain my home filing system. What do I need to keep? When can I throw this away? Where should I put this? Who has the right answers? Who do I trust? Sound familiar?   The task of organizing and maintaining records begins the day you are born and continues to be an important part of your life as you move through the years. Initially, someone else keeps up with your important papers and records, but the day comes when you must assume that responsibility. I knew that maintaining neat, accurate records could save me and/or my family many lost hours searching for a needed bill or receipt as well as the frustration experienced during a frantic search. For this reason alone I felt compelled to put my home filing system into a physical form. But not just any form. One that was smart, stylish and simple to use — one that I personally would enjoy using.   The MyVitalFiles, Inc. system was developed through the combined work of my husband, Steve, a Certified Financial Planner and psychotherapist, and myself, a graphic designer, utilizing our professional and personal strengths, including strong intuitive, organizational and design skills.   The MyVitalFiles Home Filing Solution is a ready-to-go system. There is nothing to assemble, no labels to apply, no books to read, no software to learn. It contains 80 decorative, color-coded, collated, pre-labeled file folders, 10 blank folders, 2 sheets of 22 additional labels, 1 sheet of 22 blank labels, and a reference guide. You simply drop each folder into a hanging file folder and start filing.   All of the folders are reversible for added flexibility. With the My Vital Files folder system, you will be able to quickly file and find any financial, legal, medical or personal document quickly — especially in the case of an unexpected event. The labels are intuitive and printed in large type so they are easy to read. One of the special design features is that the tabs sit above the top of a hanging file folder to eliminate the use of those annoying plastic tabs and inserts.   We hope you enjoy using our My Vital Files system as much as we have had bringing it to fruition. We have designed this system with function and esthetics for baby boomer women; however the system has quickly won favor with all ages and genders.   Why should you have a home filing system?   Your household is like a mini-business. You perform the same tasks only on a smaller scale of planning, buying, saving and investing. It’s important that records be maintained to insure access to necessary information when needed. An organized home filing system has the following benefits:   • Other family members can find documents • Records are available for income tax preparation • Saves time and money when processing insurance claims • Provides easy access to records needed on short notice in case of an accident, illness, or other emergency • Records are available if needed in legal matters such as divorce, lawsuits, estate settlements, or tax audits • Aids in the preparation of wills, net worth statements, investment plans, and retirement plans • Prevents loss of bank account balances upon death   My Vital Files takes the mystery and chore out of setting up a home filing system and makes it easy for anyone to have a place for everything. Remember, you don’t need to stress yourself out and promise to immediately put everything away, just start with the mail today. Pretty soon you’ll find it is so easy to use that everything will be in its place!   So whether you are overwhelmed by your own paperwork, want to help a loved one get organized, want to help your kids get a great start or just make sure you’re prepare for an unexpected event — MyVitalFiles is a great place to start!   Peggy & Steve Thayer MyVitalFiles, Inc.