“I promise to get the taxes to my tax advisor in MARCH.  This is to eliminate the stress to all parties.  It will take 1 day to get it together, as opposed to weeks of stress hanging over my head.”
This client used a tickler file to remind herself of the promise.  You could also mark a date on your calendar to remind yourself.

In celebration of this, Joanne DelBalso of No Fuss Accounting Services and I are holding a workshop.

Get your tax information ready in a FLASH!

Learn my 5 step (FLASH) method to organize your tax documents.
Bring your tax documents to the workshop.  We will provide individual tables and assistance on getting your information ready for your tax advisor.   We will create a system that can be used year after year.
 
The class is limited to 10 participants to ensure confidentiality.
 
Sign up today!  Register Here!
 
Cost is $25 per person
Location: Salina Free Library
                  100 Belmont St.
                  Mattydale, NY  13211
Date: Saturday, March 19, 2011
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
 
    
 Live Simply, Give More, Expect Less

Here is a link to Recordkeeping for Individuals (Publication 552) from the Internal Revenue Service.   http://www.irs.gov/publications/p552/index.html.  This publication tells you what to keep as it pertains to your tax return.  But what about all the other stuff?

Having a written document retention plan for your home is a great idea and is not difficult.   You can find a sample of a retention schedule on my website by following this link: http://www.completelyorganized.com/records-retention-schedule/.  Purging records once a year is easy if you know what you are keeping and for how long.  Here are a few suggestions:

1. Always ask yourself……Can I find this someplace else?  If you can, then only keep it if you reference it frequently. 
2. When deciding what to keep and for how long you have to think about the future.  Ask yourself……Why would I need this paperwork in the future?  For instance: medical billing information should typically be kept for three years.  But if you had a special circumstance with your doctor or insurance company that you feel may become an issue again, keep that paperwork. 
3. Once you have determined that you are keeping a file, determine the timeframe appropriate and write it on the outside of your file folder.  For instance: bank statements are generally kept for three years.  You can write that on the outside of the folder that contains your bank statements.  When it’s time to purge files again next year – you can pull the ones that have that date, making the process simpler each time. 

Keeping your files up to date doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task.  Using a few simple suggestions and setting aside some time each year can save you the frustration of dealing with overstuffed files.

 Live simply.  Give more.  Expect less.

 Best regards,

 Lisa DeVeau

For instance:

• If you received a new pair of jeans, then go to your closet and donate a pair of jeans you no longer wear. If you can’t part with a pair of jeans then let go of a pair of slacks or a similar item.

• If you bought a new Blu-ray disc player, then let go of a VHS player or another piece of electronics.

• In with the new board games, out with the ones you don’t play anymore.   You get the picture…right?

In a previous blog we discussed setting up a system and maintaining it. This would be a maintenance rule. It’s something you should do on a regular basis whenever new things are brought into your space. This ensures that you won’t outgrow your space.

HINT: Keep a basket or choose a spot where you can put donation items on a regular basis. It should be accessible to everyone in your home. Choose more than one spot if necessary. This makes letting go and decluttering an easier task. Any time an item is no longer used or doesn’t fit; place it in your designated spot. It is then easier to make your donations on a regular basis, and everyone is participating! The “in with the new, out with the old” rule can be used whenever a new item is purchased and brought into your home or office throughout the year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Live simply, give more, expect less.

Best Regards,

Lisa DeVeau

Starting an organizing project can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.  My suggestion is to break the whole project down into smaller tasks.  The first time I meet with clients, I share this quote from Mark Twain – “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.  The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” 

Start with a visualization of what you want to achieve or what you want your space to look like.  Once you have a goal, divide the project into smaller tasks.  For instance, if you’re organizing an office, start with just one drawer. 

Take the drawer and empty it.  Divide the contents into three categories: (A) Keep, (B) Don’t Keep, or (C) Not Sure.  Once the contents are divided, take your (C) category and make each item either (A) or (B).  The (B) pile is easy—throw it away, recycle it or donate it.  Next, take the remaining items and divide them into two categories:  (A) Belongs In This Drawer, or (B) Belongs Somewhere Else.  To decide what does belongs in this drawer, think about the function of this particular drawer.  For instance, if it’s the drawer closest to your desk, keep your most frequently used items here.  These would be items you reach for the most, such as a staple remover, scissors, sticky notes, etc.  If there are items that you don’t use frequently and they can be moved to a different location, do that.  By keeping only most-used items, you don’t have to move one item to get to another item that you use more often. 

Now, take your (A) pile and put these things back in the drawer.  If you can use drawer dividers, do so.  They help keep your drawer neat and organized.  Dividers also deter you from putting things in this drawer that don’t belong here.  Next, take your (B) pile and put these items where they belong.  Look at each item carefully and think, “Where does this belong?”  Try to stop yourself from putting  an item somewhere just to put it there.  Chances are, if you are doing this, it should have gone in the “Don’t Keep” pile to begin with!

Once you begin this project, don’t stop until you are done.  Take a break if you need to, but go back and continue until you have accomplished your goal.  If you leave it unfinished, you will be disappointed.  But finish the job, and you will be exhilarated.

Design a reward system for each of your accomplishments.  You should be proud of organizing even one drawer.  With each accomplishment you will be energized to take on another task.

Live Simply, Give More, Expect Less

Warm Regards,

Lisa DeVeau

• Live Simply – Create memories to cherish not possessions.  Less is more – the less you have, the less you have to maintain, the more time you have for your family.
• Give More – Create memories through the giving of your self. Some of the most fulfilling gifts are the ones you give others through neighborly deeds and volunteering.
• Expect Less – Create memories through lowering your expectations, especially where family is concerned.  Sometimes we expect a lot from family members instead of accepting them for who they are.

Think about what really matters to you and your family this Holiday Season and create some memories to cherish forever!

Happy Holidays from Completely Organized, Inc.

Have your children help you organize their belongings.  Have them help you survey what is working and what is not.  Look at the organizational process as a learning experience.  It’s a skill that will help your children immensely in all facets of life.

Assess your children’s rooms or play room from their level.  Get down on the floor so you can see what they see.  You’ll be surprised how different the view is.

Explain to your children that there are children in this world that are less fortunate than them.  Then ask them to help decide which toys are going to be donated to the “needy children”.  It makes them feel good that they are helping others and at the same time they’re eliminating clutter from their rooms.

Zoning is very important when organizing children’s areas.  You can zone toys into areas such as:

• Puzzle zone
• Craft zone
• Game zone
• Building toys zone
• Sports equipment zone
• Reading zone
• Stuffed animal zone 

Zone a play room into age appropriate areas.  Install shelving and put toys for the youngest child on the lowest level and go up from there.  Toys that children need assistance with should be kept on the highest shelf.

Store toys in clear containers without lids if possible.  This makes toys more accessible and easier to put away.

Clearly label all containers and zones.  If your children can’t read, label with pictures.  Labeling doesn’t only help the children find their toys, but also helps them put them away.

Avoid large toy boxes without a purpose, where all toys are thrown in together.  Toy boxes inevitably become catch alls when used in this way and takes away from the zoning concept.

Now that you have the organization, a maintenance plan is a must.  Designate a daily pick up time in your household.  This is a time where all family members pitch in and all things are put back in their proper place. 

The after Holiday mess can be overwhelming, but don’t look at it that way.  Look at it as an opportunity to organize areas that were already in need of help.  And remember Mark Twain’s quote – “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.  The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” 

Live Simply, give more, expect less.

Warm Regards,

Lisa DeVeau
Completely Organized, Inc.

Most of us have heard the phrase “A place for everything and everything in its place”. This is the epitome of being physically organized. First you have to create a place for items, and then you have to put them back in their place on a regular basis.

You may find you are good at creating places but not good at maintaining. Or you may find that you can follow a system once it’s in place. No matter what your skill is, both components are necessary.

Completely Organized, Inc. has recognized both needs and created two levels of service. Determine your strengths and consider help with the rest:

1. Consulting Services – We provide one on one consulting creating customized organizing systems based on the needs of each individual client.

2. Maintenance Services – We are dedicated to maintaining the organizing systems put in place to keep your professional and personal life running smoothly.

Completely Organized, Inc. is a service oriented company providing organizing solutions in any area of the home or small office. If disorganization is a problem and causing too much stress in your life, consider a Professional Organizer today!

Live Simply, give more, expect less.

Warm Regards,

Lisa DeVeau
Completely Organized, Inc.