But I still lose files....

When you lose a computer file in My Documents, it can be stressful if you need it now.  I have a few tricks to help me keep information easy to find, maybe they will help you too.

First, the file structure.  I name my 'main' folders like this:
A
A - Real Estate 1 (most important real estate files)
A - Real Estate 2
A - Real Estate 3
B - Biz Plan
C - Google
D - Family
and so on...

The I break down each folder above:
A
   1
   2
   3
A - Real Estate 1
   A - Clients Active
      Buyers
      Sellers
   B - Clients Prospect
      Buyers
      Sellers
   C  -  Forms
      Buyers
      Sellers
A - Real Estate 2
   1-Agent
   1-Buyers
   1-Sellers
   2-BPO
   2-FSBO
   3-CRS
   3-Mailings
   3-Seminar
   4-Marketing Other
   4-New Construction
etc....

This strategy keeps my most used folders at the top, and the My pictures, My Music, My Videos farther down the list.

For file names, I use the European system of naming the files.  I start with the year, then month, then day.  This keeps the most recent at the top:
A - Real Estate 2
...
   4-Marketing Other
   ...
      3-TMO
         20090423TMO
         20090416TMO
         20090409TMO

This process simplifies record keeping, and helps to keep your most used folders/files near the top and in an order. 

Now if I could just remember what I name the files...