I use my manila file folders to organize my plethora of personal documents and also data I use for peer advocacy. They are extremely easy to label especially with a Sharpie. They last forever. The last time I had to buy a box of folders was approximately 10 years ago. I am just now using the last of them. I expect this box to last a comparable time. And what a deal!
With my civic involvement I use folders at the same rate used in business. These will provide easy identification as well as the normal attributes of file folders.