Put a System in Place for Tax Papers

Put a system in place for keeping track of essential tax documents and papers. Create a filing system (or use a 13 pocket accordion folder) and get in the habit of filing on a regular basis to prevent papers from piling up. Do you own a small business? Have a system in place for keeping track of your expense receipts by category. The effort you put into it now will save you time, energy, and a lot of stress later. 

Super Shredding Tips

To prevent identity theft, I highly recommend a shredder for every household and small business. What to shred? Credit card applications, canceled and voided checks, medical and legal papers (if no longer needed), expired charge cards, anything with an account or credit card number on it, and certainly anything containing your signature or social security number. You don't want any of your pertinent information landing in the wrong hands. So shred, shred, shred! Not sure whether or not to shred? Shred anyway... it's always better to be safe than sorry. (Exception to the rule: Birth/Marriage/Divorce/Death Certificates)

For a complete list of what to shred visit www.fightidentitytheft.com.

Want to shred, but don't want to have to store a big and bulky paper shredder in your home or office? After all, they're not the prettiest things to look at. Have you seen the smaller versions, yet? They now make them small enough to sit right on top of your desk, if you want. This M5 Mailmate Shredder by Staples is only 11" x 12" x 9" and has a 1.62 gallon bin for holding shredded paper, credit cards, and even CDs & DVDs. What I like best about this is that, due to it's small size, it can easily be stored anywhere that's convenient for shredding. "Convenient" is the keyword here! (you'll be more likely to do it).

Are you a shredder?

Organizing Your Child's Papers & Keepsakes

Wondering what to do with your child's papers and special keepsakes? Check out the 1 Stop Box. A great solution for busy moms drowning in papers. It's a 4 piece set that comes with (1) a removable file case (2) 9 expandable file folders, (3) a photo album, and (4) a keepsake box. It's designed to store papers and keepsakes from birth through high school.

What I love about this is that it stores everything all in one place and it limits the amount of papers you can keep forcing you (and your child) to learn to let things go and only keep the best of the best. This is also a great way to develop good habits of putting things in their place as well as a wonderful way to teach your child valuable organizing skills that can be used for a life time. For more information visit 1StopBox.com

* There's a blue one for boys, too!

Stop Unwanted Mail - Fantastic Resource!

Does your mailbox look like this? According to CatalogChoice.org, "on average, we get 900 pieces of unsolicited mail per yer." Unbelievable! Interested in reducing that amount? Think of all the time and trees you'll save! I'm happy to announce that CatalogChoice.org is not just for catalogs anymore. They're now a resource for stopping all kinds of junkmail, such as credit card offers, coupons, letter size direct mail, other unsolicited marketing offers, and even phonebooks. How cool is that? To get started go to www.CatalogChoice.org and set up an account. It's fast, simple to use, and it's free!

Organizing Recipes Clipped from Magazines

What to do with all of those great recipes you've collected from magazines? It's difficult to actually use them when they're accumulating in piles or in files. The solution? Create a Recipe Binder! It's simple and fast. You'll need a 3-ring binder, sheet protectors, and file tabs (I recommend Durable Filing Tabs by Post-it). Create categories customized to suit your needs and use a label maker or black pen to make labels. (Sample Categories: Appetizers, Main Entrees, Sides, and Desserts or Beef, Chicken, Salmon, Shrimp, Rice, Pasta, Salads, and Soups). It's helpful to have a section for "Notes", too. Slip each recipe into a sheet protector and place in the appropriate binder category.

When cooking, take the recipe out of the sheet protector and tape to a cupboard door near your food prep area for quick viewing. Return the recipe to the binder when finished. This works great for recipes printed off of the Internet, too. Have new recipes you'd like to try, but haven't gotten around to it yet? Store them in the binder's inside front pocket until you're ready to use them. If they're a big hit... add them to the binder. Happy Cooking!

Organizing Shopping/ATM Receipts

Looking for a fast and easy way to organize shopping and ATM receipts while on the go? Take a standard white envelope and cut off the flap. Place the envelope in your purse. After making a purchase always ask to be handed the receipt (never leave it in the bag!). Immediately slip the receipt into the envelope in your purse (writing notes on the receipt as needed). If feeling rushed at the check out counter, take the receipt in hand and slip it in the envelope first chance you get (even if it's in your car). Use the envelope for ATM receipts, as well.

Get in the habit of doing this and it'll make your life so much easier... no more frantically looking for a receipt you need. You'll know right where to look. Regularly reconcile your receipts with your bank and credit card statements. Toss all receipts with the exception of those needed for tax purposes, big purchase items, and items you may return at a later date. If you prefer something a little sturdier and nicer to look at, try using a small (one-pocket) wallet like the one shown in the photo above.

How Long to Keep Financial Documents?

Are you wondering how long you need to keep financial documents? Check out these helpful guidelines provided by Suze Orman (America's expert on personal finance), "Financial Clutter, What to Keep and What to Get Rid of." Keep in mind, you can be audited by the IRS for no reason at all up to three years after you filed a tax return or two years from the date the tax was paid - whichever is later. If you omit 25% of your gross income you can be audited up to six years. Therefore, to be on the safe side, it's recommended to keep all financial documents relating to taxes for at least seven years. For more information visit www.irs.gov.

Reduce the Clutter in Your Mailbox

Junk mail is a major problem in America. It's causing clutter in our homes, it's costing us money for disposal of what doesn't get recycled, it's wasting away our precious trees, it's taking up space in our landfills, and it's taking up our valuable time. On average, we spend 8 months opening junk mail in the course of our lives!

I've put together a list of online resources to help you reduce the clutter in your mailbox. You can either take the time to do it yourself or, for a small fee, you can seek the assistance of an online service to help you.

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
(The single largest provider of direct mail lists)
www.dmachoice.org
FREE to register online. $1.00 to register by mail.
Catalogs & junk mail.

Bay Area Junk Mail Reduction Campaign
www.StopJunkMail.org
Download your FREE Stop Junk Mail Kit

www.CatalogChoice.org
FREE service! Catalogs only.

www.StopJunkMailing.com
($25.00 one time fee) Catalogs & junk mail.

www.StopTheJunkMail.com
($19.95/year) Catalogs & junk mail.
* They plant 1 tree for each membership!

www.MailStopper.tonic.com
($20.00/year) Catalogs & junk mail.
* They plant 5 trees for each membership!

By using one of the above resources, you will see less junk in your mailbox very soon!