As many of you know, my full time job is as a web content manager. So besides the multitude of personal finance sites I have in Google Reader, there are also an equal number of web design sites. One of these sites today posted a list (a list!) of the top 25 colorful websites.

So what does all this have to do with personal finance? Well, one of the sites that intrigued me is called Bookkeeping-in-a-Box. I at first thought it was some type of software-on-demand, like Mint.com, for managing personal finances.

Boy was I mistaken.

The site promotes management of personal (and business), which is good. It does this by basically selling a $150 plastic box, which is bad. Of course, it’s described as a “system.” I have read a vast array of systems for managing personal finance, covering nearly every facet you could think of. Yet I never read anything about the fairly straightforward process of, well, putting papers into folders.

I did a double-take at this point, thinking that maybe the picture of the plastic box with file folders was a physical representation for a complex digital repository that would store your latest auto insurance policy.

Nope. That is the actual box you are paying $150 for, that costs $20 at Staples, and is still a rip-off at that point.

Ok, so I am being a bit unfair at this point, because I am not covering what the true value of this product is supposed to be, which is the “system.” Maybe I am giving the general populous too much credit here, but do we really need a system to place pieces of papers into their corresponding folders?

According to the FAQ though, it does much more of that. Apparently it will help you with applying for and securing a loan, and even eliminate overdraft charges.

Here is my system. I’ll even be generous and give it away for free: Buy the cheapest box and file folder you can find. Write labels for major financial area in your life (insurance, auto, utilities, loans, etc). When you get a new document relating to one of those folders, put it in the folder. Get every statement you can delivered electronically – they are just as valid and save paper.

But of course, my system doesn’t come with rubber bands.

I wrote this entry for fun, and it’s probably a result of watching too many Daria reruns. I’m sure this system works well for some people. I just thought I would poke fun at something that asks you to spend an egregious amount of money to help you … save money.