Tax preparation made easy

At this time of year when taxes are due it always makes sense to review what changes we can implement to make the process easier for the upcoming year.  With the 2011 tax season drawing to a close you may want to review your paper system for 2012.  Were there documents you searched for?  Did you spend extra time compiling numbers you needed?  Even though a few of these tips are repeats from previous blogs they are worth looking at again:

-Whether you use a hanging file with interior folders, a divided tote or a binder with pockets, you should have one place where all your tax related paperwork goes throughout the year.  Keep the paperwork somewhat accessible so you can add documents as they arrive.  Leaving tax-related paper out to be filed at a later time can result in the documents never making it to the storage area. 

-While this list is not exhaustive, here are some sub-categories you could have and the documents within them.  If you run across another sub-category make a folder for it: “Charity” for any non profit donations you make, “Medical Expenses” for any health expenses you can claim, “Tax Documents”  for all end of the year statements (financial statements, 1099-HCs, 1099s, W2s, etc), “Income” for paystubs, rental income, prizes etc.

-If you do not have Quicken or Quickbooks it can be helpful to maintain a spreadsheet throughout the year.  As you incur an expense it can go on the spreadsheet in a specific category.  At the end of the year you will have the total number for each area and not wasted time reconciling receipts.  Examples of good expenses to track would be medical, education, mileage and travel etc. 

Of course all of the above are just guidelines and a basic structure.  Take some time to properly set up for 2012 and make it your own!

Keeping appliances dust free

Do you remember those plastic zippered bags that comforters and sheets often come in from the manufacturer?  I have never liked them much, mostly because in many clients’ houses I run across extensive collections of these bags!  People are always keeping them hoping they will come in handy during some organizing project.  The occasion almost never arrives and we end up recycling the bags.  However, a couple weeks ago I can honestly say that a client and I discovered a great use for these bags. 

She had a small fan we wanted to store in the basement but we did not want it to accumulate dust.  So we popped it into one of the old comforter bags.  The bag zipped up easily, the fan is in a transparent “container” and the fan will not be covered in dust when she is ready to use it again.  These bags can also be used to store small appliances or other items in a dusty area so they are clean and ready to use.  Try this super easy and inexpensive idea at home!

A creative method for storing electrical cords

While organizing solo in a client's spare room a couple weeks ago I ran across a trash bag full of empty toilet paper rolls.  Upon my client's arrival home later that day she would look through a pile of suggested trash so I quickly added this bag to the pile.  About an hour later I came across a gathering of electronics and cords and had to laugh when I saw her creative and simple method for keeping small extension cords under control...

She had bundled a long cord up and slipped it inside a toilet paper roll.  What a great idea!  This solution costs no money and it is so easy.  I absolutely loved her creativity.  I went back to the bag of toilet paper rolls and pulled a couple out for her...

Never forget the food you have again

Many of us, myself included, have a limited number of narrow yet deep kitchen cabinets in combination with no pantry!  I understand first hand how hard it can be to keep track of food buried in small cupboards.  It becomes difficult to use food before it expires and keep track of the cabinet contents.  So I came up with a quick solution that works great for my needs and I want to share it. 

I posted a small (8x11) dry erase board on my fridge.  I created two columns, one for the cabinets and one for my freezer, yet another area that food can get buried in.  In one column I listed all the food items I had stashed in the deepest recesses of my cabinets such as mustard, jellies, bulk coffee purchases etc.  I only wrote down the items I cannot see if I open the cabinet door.

In the other column I recorded the foods I have in my freezer, the steaks, chicken etc that I keep individually wrapped but can never see.  Now with a quick glance at my white board I can know exactly what I have, where it is and how much!  No more guessing and digging when I create my shopping list.

Making sense of memorabilia

It's usually on the very top shelf of your closet or buried in the basement.  It's usually in a cardboard box, sometimes beaten up and ripped by multiple moves, or sometimes clean and crisp because it has never been opened.  When I come across this little treasure with a client I usually hear, “Oh I know what this is...Wow it has been a long time!”  Have you guessed?  It is a collection of childhood, school and special memories known to most of us as personal memorabilia.

We often keep these items because they are associated with a special or significant time in history and our lives.  We have the best of intentions and clients are often reluctant to let any of these items go.  But they are perfectly content to pack the everything back up to be stashed away, often times where the box will remain untouched for many more years.  This has always perplexed me.  How can something be so important to us but not fit into our lives now?  If we are not going to enjoy it in some manner why are we keeping it?

If you have things that you simply cannot bear to part with consider making it a part of your everyday surroundings.  This solves two issues: boxes of items you never use will not be creating clutter and you can now enjoy the things you consider so dear!  Here are a few ideas I have suggested to people for the various memorabilia I have run into:

Newspapers from important events – Get them matted and framed for display.

Collections or heirloom decorations – Display only a few at a time in your house or office and rotate the items frequently so you can enjoy them without cluttering the house.

Old kids clothes/blankets – Have the clothes made into a quilt or blanket that can be enjoyed now or given as a gift.

Old toys – Be realistic.  Are you ever going to use it or will your kids use it?  Probably not.  Keep only a the most precious in a safe place, and take pictures of the rest before giving them away. 

Trading cards – If you choose not to sell or give away the collection put the cards in an archival album so they can be viewed and enjoyed.

The bottom line is if you are not going to make room for these types of items in your life it makes little sense to keep it all hidden away.  Why keep something in a box if you cannot enjoy it?

Do I really use this?

Do you ever go through a box of items or through a closet and find something you have not used in a while but you swear you will still use it?  Even better, do you tell yourself that this object has an important function?  I have several experiences like that a day when working with a client.  Often times this new found treasure displays some tell tale sign of not being used or handled for a long period of time.  At that moment I often challenge my clients to think about whether or not they really use this item or if they simply think they use it. 

First off, if this item is so important and so functional, why has it remained buried only to be found right at this moment?  If it was so useful why were you not using it?  This can be a hint that the item does not need a home with you anymore.  If you need more convincing look at the state it is in.  This will tell you right away whether or not your perceived need of the object is justified. 

I was working with a client the other day when we came across many empty tall kitty litter bins.  They were her husband's so we could not just throw them away without asking.  I did still inquire as to why they were there and if they were truly needed.  She said he used them for sports storage and that they were important and should be kept.  I began moving them over to his pile of stuff to sort through when I pulled over a bin with an awful odor.  Two mice had died in it, and one had already decomposed into just bones!  These bins had been sitting there so long that two mice had been able to die in them.  There was the tell tale sign that these bins had not been used for a long time. 

So I challenge you, do you really use this?

Clothes pin picture frame

While working with a client in her bedroom this past week I noticed a beautiful picture frame on her wall.  The frame had wire strung through it and clothespins attached to the wires.  Each clothespin held a photograph, some recent and some taken a couple years back.  I stopped to admire the attractiveness and ingenuity of this picture solution. 

It is a great way to display photos without the hassle of a scrapbook or the expense of  buying multiple frames.  The pictures can be rotated in and out as often as you want.  It can be a cute method for showing off pictures from a recent trip, family event or perhaps some candid shots of the kids. 

While this type of frame can be found at places like Amazon.Com, this wall decoration can easily be made from an old or battered frame rejuvenated with a bit of paint, wire or string and clothespins.  Be creative and get those photos off the computer and onto the wall for you to enjoy!