Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Organizing for Spring


After a long, winter hibernation we can look forward to the beginning of spring this weekend! However, along with the warm air and sunny days comes the task of helping our homes recover from the colder months now behind us. There is a sense of starting fresh even though 2010 began almost three months ago (yikes!). Here are some of the areas you could focus on as you start your spring-time organizing and cleaning:

-If you personally do your home’s spring cleaning it can be quite an overwhelming chore. Creating a simple list of what you need to do in each room is always the best way to proceed. You can methodically clean each room in an order that makes sense to you and you are less likely to forget anything. Create the list in Excel and you can use it over and over as well as edit the spreadsheet.

Go into each room and list the areas that need to be addressed. Some good ideas would be: launder draperies, scrub trim, dust sconces, dust radiators, wash floors and walls etc.

-With new school sports starting in the spring and a whole new slate of potential commitments, it is important to assess your current schedule. You do not want to be a slave to over-commitment. List all your present activities and projects and consider what is already happening before you allow another activity on your schedule. If your calendar is packed commit to dropping a current activity before adding a new one. Always go back to what is most important and vital to you to help facilitate a good decision.

-Create more space in your closet by rotating out the heavy, dark winter clothes. Not only will your closet look more perky but you will have more space overall. You won’t have to wade through a ton of clothing to find the one article you need. Designate a spot in the basement or attic for plastic bins and storage wardrobes for seasonal clothing. Don’t forget to organize your new clothes into the closet, keeping shoes, belts, hats, shirts, pants and other garments in their proper areas.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Prepare for 2009 taxes

Have these documents ready for your 2009 Taxes:

-Your tax return from 2008 and the cost of preparing it, if prepared by someone other than yourself

-Any forms that have W-2, 1098, 1099 etc. printed on them

-The total amount of local and state taxes you paid in 2009

-All relevant social security numbers and birthdates required on your tax return (children, spouse, other dependents etc.)

-Documentation of all contributions you made to retirement plans or IRAs

-Any expenses related to your investments

-The purchase date and total investment in all stocks or other property you sold

-Records of additional income, such as rental property, a hobby, jury duty, alimony, gambling etc.

-Expense and income documentation for work that is not already shown on your W-2 or 1099

-Income from unemployment and expenses related to your job search, if applicable

-Expenses related to your job, such as publications, travel, tools, dues, uniform etc.

-Records for personal property tax, real estate and mortgage interest

-Total miles driven for medical purposes or charitable purposes

-Non-cash charitable donation records

-Amounts donated to charitable organizations, schools and religious establishments

-Documentation to support higher education and childcare costs

-Amounts paid for health care insurance and also to doctors, hospitals etc.