ORGANIZED IN ‘08
Getting organized in 2008 is bound to include what to do with Paper! As a Professional Organizer, I cannot tell you what to trash and what to keep. However, many lists are available as guidelines. Below you will find some basic guidelines about paper that piles up throughout the year compiled from multiple sources. If you have questions about whether to keep an item contact your accountant for recommendations.
This list cannot foresee your specific situation. If you own a business or have multiple investments you may want to review this list with your accountant to be sure you follow their guidelines.
Paper Guidelines
Toss Every Month
ATM and Bank Deposit Slips – once checked against statement
Credit Card Receipts – Once checked against statement
Sales Receipts – Once satisfied with product and it has no warranty
Toss After One Year
Monthly Bank Statements – If you do not itemize taxes
Credit Card Statements – If you do not itemize taxes
Monthly or Quarterly Brokerage or Mutual Fund Statements- After reconciled with year end summary
Mortgage Statements – As long as year end statement clearly shows interest paid and property taxes
Phone and Utility Bills – As long as you do not claim a home office or use phone for business purposes or need to show residency
Retain for Seven Years
Taxes, W-2’s and 1099’s
Phone and Utility Bills – if deducted for business
Canceled Checks for – Annual Mortgage interest, property taxes, deductible business expenses, childcare bills, out of pocket medical costs, and other tax deductible expenses
Keep Indefinitey
Annual Tax Returns
Investment Confirmations with prices
Home Improvement Records
Receipts for Major Purchases – items that exceed the deductible on homeowners policy
Benficiary Designations
This information is provided by:
www.CleverSpacesInc.com
919-605-3564
Stefanie Watkins
Clever Spaces, Inc.
Director of Community Relations, NAPO-NC
Member of NAPO and NAPO- North Carolina (National Association of Professional Organizers)
Article : Managing You
Managing You
When it comes to time management you may think that there are techniques, and gadgets that can help you focus better and get things done. The fact of the matter is time management has very little to do with time. It does however have a lot to do with self-awareness.
The more you know yourself the more you can improve your performance when working to achieve your goals and tasks. Here are some tips you can use that will help you manage YOU better.
Consider when you are the most/least productive
This is a common oversight when scheduling your goals and tasks. If you schedule a task that you truly dislike during a time when you are least productive it’s unlikely the task will ever get done. You will be sluggish, make more mistakes and you will begin to further dislike the task. But schedule that task when you are the most productive and you will be sure to get it done quickly, with less mistakes and a better attitude.
Know your limit
All of us, at one time or another, have over extended ourselves to get a task done because we just want to get it over with. However, putting this pressure on ourselves can make the task much more difficult, we can end up making many more mistakes, and the task could become an even bigger problem. The best thing to do is to stop working on a task when you still have energy and have hit your peak. Forcing yourself to get through it will cause you to dislike the task even more. You will associate your stress with the completion of the project and possibly never get back to finishing it. If you stop when you are still energized it will be much more enjoyable to come back to at a later date. You will associate that energy with the project and be motivated to finish.
Focus ONLY on three tasks per day
Make it a habit to focus on no more than three items on your to do list a day. This habit will provide you with a lot more wiggle room in your schedule because you’ll be able to focus on other things that may pop up unexpectedly. You will also stress less because you’ll know each day you will have the ability to get those three tasks done. And each day you’ll be able to get three more done. You’re maintaining a more balanced life style rather than an erratic schedule of tasks that leave you exhausted and overwhelmed.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses
Make a list of all your strengths and weaknesses. Take all the weaknesses you listed and start delegating as many tasks as you can. It is far more worth it to pay someone else to do a task. It will stop you from chronic procrastination, which will form feelings of inadequacy, stress and guilt. If you aren’t convinced it’s worth it, calculate your hourly rate and compare it to the person/company you would outsource it to. Be sure to consider emotional and physical demands the tasks may cause. Also consider the profit you would generate if the task was done in a more timely manner. You may be shocked to find out how much you are worth and how valuable it is to pay someone else to do the job.
Find out if you have a learning disability
If you think it may be possible that you have a learning disability, get tested and do what you can to learn more about the disorder you may have. Knowing the obstacles you face can make a huge difference in your performance. You can begin to see patterns in your behavior and learn ways to cope with your disability. Go to www.ldcouncil.org, or www.chadd.org to find out where you can get tested and learn more about learning disabilities.
Created By Sara Bereika
NEAT, LLC
www.neat-organizing.com
