Tax Time is Almost Here - Do You Have Your Paperwork in Order?

It's getting close to Tax Time! I know that people are probably scrambling to get all of their documents ready to take to their accountant. But there are ways to make this time a lot less stressful - by being prepared ahead of time.

Start by having a folder dedicated to all things "tax related". 

During the year - anything that comes in that might in any way be tax related - any receipts or documents - put them into the tax folder.

That includes any banking or financial documents. Also - any mortgage or loan interest statements.

Tax deduction documents. Expense receipts. Donation receipts.  W2's.  1099's. Saving, investments or dividends. Any other income or losses.

And much more. Your account can provide a list of all of your needed documents.

What is helpful - is having a checklist that you can reuse every year - that lists all of the things that you are waiting for. When they come in - just check them off of your list! Keep a blank copy of this list in  your tax folder. If things change - you can always add or delete them from your list.

By having a system in place - and a place for your tax file - this time of year should be a lot less stressful!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

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How Can You Use a Professional Organizer in Your Life

A lot of people think that you can only use a Professional Organizer to organize your kitchen or garage.

I love kitchens and pantries - my favorite! But there are so many more ways that you can use the services of a Professional Organizer!

Besides helping you organize all areas of your home or office, a Professional Organizer can help you declutter and organize your home as you age. As we get older our lives change. Kids grow up and move out. You will probably not be hosting big dinners anymore - so the need for a lot of the things that you used to use - is no longer there. Rearranging your kitchen so that the things that you use are at a lower level so that you don't have to reach, is also a good idea as you age.

Most people wait until they are a lot older (70 - 80's) to start downsizing, purging, decluttering. And that is too late. People don't realize how long the process actually takes. They also don't realize the emotions that come with purging your stuff. a lifetime of memories - and they all tend to come flooding back when you start the purging process. And the number one thing that I hear kids say most often to their family is "we don't want that stuff and we will throw it out after you die". A devastating thing for a parent to hear. Because everyone thinks that their stuff is valuable and everyone should care about it. But it's not - and they don't. A hard truth to hear.

Start the organizing and purging process earlier so that your kids don't have to be traumatized and stressed out by going through your belongings. They will thank you for it!

***

If you wanted to downsize to a smaller home, an Organizer can help you purge and downsize, decide what will fit into your new home, and help you unpack and set up your new home so that you can walk in and be settled in a short period of time. Wouldn't it be great to be able to find all of your things the day after your move - instead of looking at boxes for weeks?

 ***

Another way that a Professional Organizer can help you is by sorting, purging and organizing a home or estate after a parent dies. The amount of paperwork alone is overwhelming. If you can find it that is! Most people do not realize the amount of time it takes to find and gather up all of the documents that are needed in dividing an estate. Getting all of the financial paperwork together is a daunting task. Clearing out their clothes is really hard and very emotional. Finding places to donate items, taking them to donation sites or arranging for pick up of items is something that an Organizer can help you with. 

Getting through the process is not easy, but a Professional Organizer can make the entire process more efficient and less stressful.

***

Besides physical organization - a Professional Organizer can also help you organize your schedule and your life! Time Management is one of the most important things in our life - yet it's something that is usually overlooked. 

By working with a Professional Organizer on time management and scheduling - you can eliminate a lot of stress!

Feel free to reach out with any questions on more ways that a Professional Organizer can make your home and life run smoother!

Happy Organizing!

 

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Organization Saves You Time and Money

Getting Organized for the New Year is one of the biggest New Years Resolutions that people make.

Unfortunately, it usually falls into the same fate as "getting in shape or losing weight". It doesn't happen.

Everyone has good intentions but there is always an excuse:

• I don't have the time
• I don't know where to start
• It's too overwhelming
• No one in the family really cares - so why bother
• I have other things I would rather do.....
  

But being organized is not only about organization - it's about reducing your stress, getting to work or school on time, being able to find things, saving time and money....and so much more.

If you aren't organized you might spend time looking for things because you have no idea where you put your keys, purse, checkbook....therefore you might be late for work or school.

You can't find your keys, purse, checkbook....and you are now late....so you become frazzled, stressed and start yelling at everyone.

You might buy multiple sets of (insert whatever you keep buying over and over again....) because you didn't realize you already had it - or you can't find it. So you are losing money buying something that you already had.

Disorganization causes stress and a lot of tension in a family - especially if everyone is not on the same page as to how organized your home should be. Everyone has different organization styles and different levels of tolerance for disorganization.

Getting on the same page with your family about organizing style is really important.

So - have a meeting to decide what you want your home to look like. Break down who is in charge of what area of the home. Give everyone a detailed list of how the organizing project is going to be put into action. Set a realistic deadline of when you think the project will be completed. Set up a schedule of when your project will start and when it will be worked on.

That is a very simplified outline - but it's a start. Having the rest of the families input and participation is half the battle. The other half is actually getting everyone to do their part. 

What - you expected a miracle? 😊

Not everyone has organizational skills. Everyone has their own talents. And not everyone has the patience to organize.

Sometimes - the quickest way to get things done - is to hire a Professional Organizer! They have the expertise to look at a space and determine the best options for your space. They are efficient and will work without complaining! Professional Organizers love organizing - probably unlike your family.

And some Professional Organizers will even work with you remotely and give you all of their expertise and advice in a virtual session that is a fraction of the time and expense of an in-home session. They give you a plan and you can implement it yourself - saving you money. 

In person - or virtual - a Professional Organizer is a great investment in your home and life!

Happy Organizing!

  

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

Starting 2022 with some Organizing Ideas

Starting 2022 Organized & Clutter Free

 

January – New Habits & Things to Do

 

# # 1·            Make 4 Goals that are Measurable & Achievable.

·                    Add them to your January calendar.

·                    Each week give yourself an estimated percentage complete

                 for each goal.

·         Seeing concrete results often helps you achieve goals sooner.

# 2

·         Transfer all appointments and ongoing tasks to your 2018 calendar or planner. Don’t forget Birthday reminders, bill payments and anniversaries.

# 3 

·         Schedule ‘Me time’ for yourself at least once every week. Stick to it

# 4

·         Make a repair and cleaning walkthrough list, from floor to ceiling.

·         Are you making the best use of space?

·         Do the carpets need deep cleaning or the chandeliers dusting?

# 5

·         Do an End-of-Year accounting to see how much you spent on the holidays.

·         Use it to save and prepare for next year's holiday season.

# 6

·         It’s time to pack away the last remnants of the holidays.

·         Store your platters and other serving dishes that you only use for special occasions. Be sure they are in good condition.

# 7  

·         Get in the habit of having a notebook or grocery list near your fridge or pantry to list items as you run out of them.

·         This will make grocery shopping far easier.

# 8

·         Take some time to consider that your value does not come from stuff.

·         Once we let go we can stop hoarding and start de-cluttering.

# 9

·         Take a look at your home management / bill paying station.

·         Is it functional for what you need to do to make your life run smoother?

·         Do you have enough stamps, envelopes and other office supplies?

·         If not, add these to the shopping list so that you can stock up and be prepared.

# 10

·         Set a declutter appointment on your calendar – to declutter a room or a closet.

·         Do you have the right containers & needed supplies?  If not, add it to your list.

# 11

·         Disinfect your cleaning utensils. When was the last time you replaced your toilet brushes, sponges and wiping clothes that you use?

·         If it’s been a while, add them to your shopping list.

# 12

·         Clean out and organize your purse. Containerize.

·         Keep a coupon bag in your purse – with coupons that are not expired.

 

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

 

Do You Know Why You are Disorganized?

Not everyone in this world is organized. Some people are very disorganized. But the real question is - "do they know why?".

Most people don't.

So - be honest with yourself. Sit back and ponder a few questions.

Do you know why you are disorganized?

What bothers your about your disorganization?

What is not working for you?

Do you just "not" want to organize - because you don't have the time or don't know how or it's boring or you are just lazy? 

Does it cause you stress?

Do you not know what categories to put things into?

Do you "need" to leave things out - so that you know where they are?

Do you have a filing system in place for your paperwork?

Why do you want to get organized? What need would it fulfill?

 ***

Once you  have some answers to these questions - you can begin the process of coming up with some solutions that will work "for you'.  And that is crucial to your success.  

Organizing is not a "one size fits all".  The solution has to "work for you".  It has to be uncomplicated so that you will actually use it.

For more information on how to get organized - call or email a Professional Organizer. 

We LOVE to ORGANIZE!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

Clutter is "Stuff"

People wonder what "clutter" really is. Well - it's just "STUFF". 

It could be "good stuff" - but that doesn't mean that it's "good for you". 

A lot of time people keep "stuff" just because they haven't gotten around to clearing it out- not because it means something to them. 

Letting go of "stuff" - especially when it's memorabilia is really hard. It's emotional. And therein lies the complexities of purging. It you have an attachment to things - it's hard to let go.

In order to "let go" of clutter - you have to change your mentality about the stuff. Don't keep things that have bad memories or things that make you feel sad - or things that your family member gave you that you have no use for. Only keep things if you really like it or if it makes you happy.

Don't bring things into your home that you got "for free" if you don't really need it.

Don't feel the need to keep things that have outlived their usefulness.

Don't bring things into your home that take up room that you don't have.

You deserve to live in a home that is calming and peaceful. Before you buy anything (or get it for free) - ask yourself:

       Do I really need it?

       Will I actually use it (within 6 months)?

       Do I have room for it? (Where - exactly - will I put it)?

       Can I afford it?

       Will it enhance my life?

If you can't answer these questions - DON'T bring it into your home.

So - say "NO" to Clutter!  And live a life with less stress!

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

What Can You Use a Professional Organizer For? Lots of Things!

Professional Organizers can help you with more than just organizing your closets (though we love closets!).

Some of the things we can help with include:

Downsizing: 

   Decluttering & purging. Sorting what to move.

   Help with packing. Help with staging a home for sale (an uncluttered home sells better).

   Unpacking and setting up your new home.

We work with seniors and their families to make the transition from a home they have lived in for 40 years - to a smaller space (senior apartment or assisted living....) a stressless process.

Aging in Place:

We can help with decluttering and making your current home a safer environment for seniors. Making sure there is enough space for walkers and that things are at a lower level so that seniors don't have to reach for things (and possibly hurt themselves).

Estate Clear Outs:

   Taking an inventory of the home

   Sorting personal property & finding donation sites for unwanted items

   Locating & Organizing vital documents and important papers

   Arranging for home cleaning and housing repairs

   Working with attorneys and family to distribute belongings

Combining Households:

When households combine it takes a lot of patience and decluttering in getting rid of duplicates and making the home look like it belongs to one family - instead of two. Coming up with solutions and processes that both families can live with is the first step.

Life Management:

   Paper Management - how to process mail, bills, receipts, paying bills and more

   Time Management - making time work for you - instead of the other way around

   Work/Life Balance - finding solutions that keep your family happy and together - w/o stress

Organizing a College Student & their Dorm Room:

   There isn't much space - so having an efficient Organizing system is crucial

   Helping with Time Management & coming up with Life Organizing systems

Closets, Pantries, Garages, Attics and more...........

*** These are just some of the things that a Professional Organizer can help you with....

 

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....