Better to have multiple folders or multiple rules?

I have an inbox that I throw invoices and receipts into.
I have multiple rules on that inbox to rename the file with an invoice date, and sort the renamed file into different folders based on text within the pdf.
It's all sort of grinding to a halt.
With the date , I check if it's a pdf and if the filename includes a date if not move it to a date finder folder, which looks for a date, renames the file and sends it back to the inbox, or to an undated folder if it can't find one.
I then have lots of rules checking for various text to move to the organisation folder.
would it be more efficient to have a 'chain' of folders each with one rule that says if you find this text, leave the file here, if not send it to the next folder, and then have the last folder send any files that didn't match any rules to a misc folder?
It feels like it's easier to check rules on a folder with a few rules, than a folder with many.
Thoughts?
I have multiple rules on that inbox to rename the file with an invoice date, and sort the renamed file into different folders based on text within the pdf.
It's all sort of grinding to a halt.
With the date , I check if it's a pdf and if the filename includes a date if not move it to a date finder folder, which looks for a date, renames the file and sends it back to the inbox, or to an undated folder if it can't find one.
I then have lots of rules checking for various text to move to the organisation folder.
would it be more efficient to have a 'chain' of folders each with one rule that says if you find this text, leave the file here, if not send it to the next folder, and then have the last folder send any files that didn't match any rules to a misc folder?
It feels like it's easier to check rules on a folder with a few rules, than a folder with many.
Thoughts?