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This week is National Pay Your Bills Week
I try not to look at these things as "national holidays" but gentle reminders of ways we can improve our lives.
Given the current economic climate, everyone seems to be more concerned than ever about money. Having systems in place can reduce stress, save time, and save money. Almost every client who contacts me has those 3 criteria listed in their reasons for wanting to get more organized. Getting more organized does pay! Don't wait; start TODAY!
PAYING THOSE BILLS
Have a designated place for all incoming bills.
Decide on a schedule to pay bills and stick to your schedule.
Have a place to pay your bills. Have everything in one place to streamline your bill-paying process: checks, pen and pencil, a calculator or calculator program like Excel, any payment coupon booklets, postage stamps, envelopes, return address labels, and a stapler.
Balance your checkbook prior to actually paying bills. If you have a joint account, this is the time to communicate with your spouse or significant other to make sure all debits and credits have been properly entered.
Have a Master Checklist for all bills. With companies encouraging us all to go paperless, oftentimes if we don't have a Master Checklist, a bill could be missed; you might incur late fees and/or additional charges. Suggested columns for your checklist: Date of Month Due / Payee / Paper or Paperless Bill.
Automate where possible or where you are comfortable. For example, bills such as your monthly cable bill can be automated to 1 credit card or auto draft to your bank account. You can opt whether you still receive a paper copy of the bill each month. A note of caution: It is your responsibility to review all bills. Phone companies are notorious for attempting to slip through "3rd party" charges to unknowing consumers.
Consider reducing the number of credit cards you actually use to 1 or 2 debit or credit cards. The rewards: less bills coming in; less bills to pay; simplified record keeping; and simplified filing. Those department store and gasoline credit card "rewards" are not truly rewards in the big picture.
Simplify your filing routine. If the bills you pay have no Tax or Legal implication, consider filing them by the month you have paid them (Jan / Feb / March ...).
Easy Steps for Reducing Credit Card Debt (okay, I admit it is never totally easy; you first must decide this is something you want to make a priority)
See if you qualify for cheaper credit cards. If you have a credit card at a bank, you may be throwing away money. Simply ASK your current company is you qualify for a reduced rate due to your timely payments and FICO score. If not, check out options at a credit union where reduced rates are often offered.
List your credit cards, with the highest rate card first. Include the balance, the interest rate, and the minimum payment.
Every month: pay extra on your credit card with the highest rate. The goal is to pay that baby off! Keep doing this until all your credit cards are paid off.
Every month: as you pay off your high-interest cards, start paying money into a savings or investment account.
Clear the Clutter! Fav sites, blogs and a free opportunity!
One of my strengths is realizing I can't do it all. Thankfully, I have over 4,000 other Professional Organizers in NAPO to network and resource with through a variety of means. As veteran organizer, Barbara Hemphill notably says, "Together we are better!"I wanted to share some sites I refer to for information. Of course, I admit to being a Container Store junkie and they have fantastic tips & advice on their site, http://www.containerstore.com but here are a few other favs:Best for pretty desktop items. The "life organization"" section of this site has all sorts of list-makers. SeeJaneWork.com http://www.seejanework.comBest for drawer and craft storage and great for all around the house: OrganizedAtoZ.com http://www.organizedAtoZ.comAnd here are a couple of blogs for organizing & decluttering tips:I'm an Organizing Junkie http://www.orgjunkie.com -- read for inspiration and motivational boosts, like the "28 Day Organizing Challenge..."Unclutterer http://www.unclutterer.com -- read for quick easy-to-accomplish daily tips.If you are decluttering THIS week, get rid of your clutter FOR FREE & DO A GOOD DEED. This Saturday 01/22/11, NAPO San Antonio is sponsoring a community service event from 10 am to 2pm, at the parking lot of Goodwill at 281 & Bitters. See details. http://www.naposanantonio.com/ClubPortal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=2829&pubmenuoptID=33475
10 dozen cookies baked and another successful holiday event!
We just had another successful Client Appreciation Dinner for my husband’s Edward Jones office in Llano, Texas! The evening included an entire community hall full of people who dined well on a Mexican buffet and scrumptious desserts. Lots of great fellowship was shared and all attending heard how the market is going to get stronger in the coming months (it is, you know!).In the 10 years Archie has been with Edward Jones, we have entertained lots of customers and put on lots of events! How does it all get done, done well, while sticking to a planned budget? I stress budget because truthfully, anyone can put on events with the myriad of options available in our world today, but doing it on a tight budget is a totally different thing.The answer: Planning. Lists. Work, yes; but each time notes and lists are used, the work becomes easier! One tool I have found which I really love is ListPlanIt. As a proud Professional Member of ListPlanit, I have access to a plethora of planning lists! Check out the over 500 lists they have available: http://www.listplanit.com
As we work together on our next organizing project, let me know if you are in need of a list to help you. Whether you are planning your upcoming Holiday Meal or simply your family’s meal plan and grocery list, lists help save time AND money!
Everyday Strategy: Start Your Morning the Night Before
In order to get out the door on time and with less stress, think of all the tasks you could do the evening before to streamline your morning routine. Here are a few ideas:
Choose what you plan to wear tomorrow. If it requires ironing, do it ahead of time.
Set the timer on the coffeepot.
Prepare and pack lunch items in advance.
Make sure your cell phone is charged.
Make sure your car has gas.
Put your "go to" bag or any items you carry with you by the door.
If you have kiddos, you know how important it is to be in control of your morning.
Pick out what they will wear or if they are old enough, have them do so.
Prepare and pack lunch items in advance.
Sign any paperwork that needs to be returned to school.
Have your child's backpack by the door.
Have coats or outer wear by the door.
What could you add to this list? This list is not intended as a "be all / end all" list, but rather to get you thinking what will work for you or your family. Copy this and then make your own. Make a checklist and use it create more streamlined, less stressful mornings.
Tools for Time Management
When our kiddos were in middle school, the house we lived in only had 2 bathrooms. Grooming had become a VERY important part of the morning routine for our daughter and son, then in middle school. Many a morning dispute arose over who had been in the bathroom too long. I quickly found a simple solution!
A few weeks later, my sister was visiting. I was in the kitchen when I heard her laughing and calling to me from the hallway. "
Sis, please tell me what an egg timer is doing in your bathroom!
" I explained that when that timer "dinged," each child knew their time was up: no arguing with one another; no arguing with me; the timer helped by giving an AUDIBLE BOUNDARY. More than ever today, people get lost in the amount of time they spend on projects. Clients and colleagues as well, admit they intended only to check their email, ended up logging onto FaceBook, which then led to someone's (then) interesting blog, and suddenly, they find they wasted almost their entire morning. At National Conference this spring in Ohio, one of my product favs was the Time Timer. Their tag line is "Make Every Moment Count."
The abstract concept of elapsed time is easy to see and understand with their graphic depiction
. This tool allows users to manage time more effectively in meetings, classrooms, therapy sessions, testing venues, at home and any other activities which require limits be set. There are different types of tools to fit any type of user: Some the size of a small alarm clock, large visuals for education, wrist watches, software apps for your computer and iphone -- endless possibilities.
Whether you choose a simple egg or kitchen timer or one of the many options that Time Timer has to offer, I challenge you to use a timer for just 1 week.
SEE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SOAR!
The Key to Accomplishing a Major Task?
The key to accomplishing a major task you ask? Realizing it is merely the sum of several small tasks. Change your mind-set from, “I only have 20 minutes” to “I have 20 minutes to work on my ideal (*) project. What part of this project can I complete?If a project seems long in duration or burdensome, break it down in your mind or visually. If you are visual, mind-map it on paper or on your computer. i.e., Q: “How do you eat an elephant?” A: “One bite at a time.” (*) Your ideal project may vary from writing your business plan for the coming year to stripping the wallpaper from the dining room and repainting. Whatever your project, apply these principles for productivity.