How many hours have you spent searching for important documents you just knew were lying next to the phone or on your desk? Create a folder system for your official documents and recurring bills. Mark each color-coded folder with a clear heading. For example, place all bills in blue-colored folders. You should have one each for your electric, phone, and heating bills.
Tax time can be a particularly stressful time of year. To head off last-minute scrambling, create a folder called “taxes.” Include the year. Place inside any tax-related documents such as business receipts, bills of sale, charity donations made throughout the year, etc. To prevent receipts from getting lost, carry a zippered plastic bag in your briefcase or purse. Whenever you make a business-related purchase, place the receipt in the bag. Occasionally empty the contents of the bag in your tax folder. It is best to highlight your tax-related purchases on your credit card statements as you receive them, instead of waiting until April. Chances are you will make fewer mistakes.
Affordable software such as Quicken can help you manage your finances. It acts like a carbon copy of your bank accounts and helps you track where and how much you spend. The downside is it requires that you keep meticulous records of your purchases and deposits. This option is best for detail-oriented people with a love for numbers.
Consider online banking. You can pay your monthly bills at the click of a mouse or even set up automatic transfers for hassle-free payment. No stamps, no quick trips to the post office, and no envelope licking!
Design Your Entranceway to Meet Your Needs
The best place to start with your new time management plan is your foyer. Imagine the time you will save by placing a key hook next to the front door. No more searching for your car keys before that important meeting. Hang a bulletin board with event reminders and a mailrack for those thank-you notes you want to mail to your relatives.
Place a shoe rack in the entrance way for easy access to whichever pair you want to wear. The same applies to a coat rack or closet. Put a few wicker baskets on a nearby table to act as a catch-all for hats, scarves, and gloves.
A little organization can help you squeeze hours out of the many minutes wasted looking for misplaced items.