PERSONAL CHALLENGE - Get Organized in 2009

1.  Get last year's tax files in order; create a system for this year's taxes 

• Gather all your tax support papers, receipts, statements into one place
• Bring out last year's tax filing statements to determine each major tax category in which you file (such as income, interest, medical, charitable contributions, etc.).  If you do not itemize deductions, this will be easier; just gather your end-of-year income and tax statements.
• Sort your tax papers into the major categories appropriate to your tax situation.  Put the papers into folders, envelopes, or an accordion file, labeled with each of your tax categories (or use one of the special tax organizers made for this).  [see http://www.domeproductsonline.com]
• BONUS:  This would be a good time to set up a duplicate organizing file system so you can sort your tax documents throughout the current year.
• Make an appointment with your tax preparer or schedule time on your calendar to do your taxes yourself.

• If you do not purge computer files, emails, or addresses regularly, plan to do a clean up at least twice a year.  Schedule this now on your calendar for this month and six months from now.
• Remove and delete any non-critical electronic documents.  Sometimes it is easiest to sort emails or contacts by sender, or search files by date or topic, before deleting unnecessary files. 
• If you keep a paper address book, review this once a year and make corrections.  Now is a good time after holiday cards are sent and received.
• Enter new contacts into your address book (electronic or paper) from all the business cards and bits of paper you have, and then toss the papers.

LEARN TO GET ORGANIZED

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GOOD TIPS, READS & LEADS

 

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

by David Allen by Penguin (Non-Classics)

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1. Have a collection point for all the mail/papers that come in the front door.  Use a large container.  If you can't act on the papers right away, at least you will know where to find them when you can.
2. As you take the papers from the collection point, separate them by broad categories. 
3. Have some type of container (folder, binder, basket, drawer, etc.) for each category.
4. Keep the container in an area where you will need those papers (reading by chair, bills by desk, junk by shredder, etc.).
5. Develop a habit to make decisions on each paper as you read it. You can only do three things with paper:  file it, act on it, or toss it.  This is known as the FAT theory.

Regardless of what you might believe, not all of my papers are organized into files.  I do follow the rules above and know where my major categories are stored.  But I have a solution that makes getting rid of the papers very satisfying.....I love my shred bin!  You are welcome to share it with me and feel the love.  Read details below.