Organizing your finances- UGH!

Bill Paying. I know, I know, not a single person wants to read about paying bills.  It's depressing and tedious, but it's the responsible thing to do, and you'll feel like a better person if you have a system.

First thing first... True story, I was doing work for someone who hated paying bills, and would just refuse to do it until the bill collector would call.  She would stash all of her bills in a shoe box and when the box was full, she would shred the contents and to the recycling bin they would go. 

Whether or not you pay your bills is your own business... she inevitably came to me and wanted a system and that's what I'm here to offer you. 

This is my simple solution... it's what I've been doing for years, and it's proven to work pretty well for me... and the best part- you don't have to be super neat, or overly organized to make it work!

I bought an envelope sized accordion file folder and labeled each tab with my bill title (i.e. Arbella, The Limited, Amex, Sallie Mae, etc.).  Each month when the bill comes in, I record when it's due on the front calender page of my planner, and then submit the bill into the file folder in it's respective slot.  I like having a snap shot of when my bills are due, how much they are, and what the minimum due is- and keeping it in my planner makes it really easy to find and refer to frequently. 

Twice a month I go online (usually the middle and the last week of the month), and I pay all  the bills that are due within the next two weeks.  Paying them in advance gives me a peace of mind that they will get to their destination on time, and also keeps my credit score in good shape (did you know even paying on the day things are due can have a negative effect on your credit score?! ). 

Once the bill is paid, I like to slip it into the back of the accordion file- when that slot gets too full I go through and save necessary stubs for tax purposes, and shred the rest!

www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz

StacyM@ErrandsEtcetera.biz

Franklin Covey is My Hero

I don't know what I would do without my Franklin Covey Planner. If you've seen me anywhere in public, at a networking event, coffee shop, working with a client, or out running errands (no pun intended), you've probably seen my purple planner, if not commented on how massive it is. True story, at a BNI meeting this morning, a woman rubbed it, saying "Ha, this looks pregnant, rub it's belly for good luck!"... sad part is, she's exactly right.




I'm a very hands on, tangible, see everything in front of me kind of person. I write down everything from doing a load of laundry, to getting gas, to when my bills are due. My planner holds extra business cards of mine, rewards cards for places like Office Max, and Best Buy, my monthly calendar- then broken down into days, address book, client booking info, emails I'm currently following up on, paperwork I'm reviewing, and anything else that I feel I need to carry around with me at the time.



How do you keep track of appointments and your "To Do" List? Do you have a planner, do you use your iPhone, or blackberry to record your schedule, do you just have scraps of paper around your life, or do you just commit to memory and hope not to forget? Well my faithful reader, I'd like to challenge you... for one week, write down all major tasks (work, dinner with the In-Laws, mortgage due, etc), as well as the smaller errands (bank, gym, change insurance, etc)- and see if there's a change in your life. Perhaps you will find that you are more motivated to check off things that you've done... or maybe you will realize how much you need Errands Etcetera in your life to get to all those things you didn't get to- though, I can promise, I will NOT be going to dinner w the In-Laws for you, or going to the gym in your place!



I'd love to hear what you do to keep track of your life- send me an email or leave a comment here!

Internet Info Overload!

This morning, I have given myself the delightful task of booking a serious last minute weekend getaway- last minute meaning, I'd like to escape Quincy tomorrow evening around 5, and return Sunday afternoon.

I know that I'd like to stay somewhere in New England, I'm looking for somewhere pet friendly, and with scenic benefits to add to my pleasure. So, I turned to my good friend Google to search for those things.. In no particular order.

WOAH! Information over load in full effect! This B&B has special deals for specific dates & AAA members; another one offered free tickets to a local amusement park; yet another one had a mini bar and fridge in the room (something my traveling partner would be a fan of). So, how do you find the best bargain without getting info overload, and not just settling?

Here's what I did...

1. Put on a double pot of coffee- this is clearly something that is going to take a bit of time, and need my attention.

2. Pull up mapquest and print out a map of desirable locations- this is easy... as long as you know where you'd like to end up... Me, I have 3 maps printed!

3. Get a fresh notebook, or some blank sheets of paper, and get ready to take some notes. Helpful things to record: Name of Inn, or Hotel, Price Rate, Check In/Check Out Time, Special Discounts, Phone Number & Address, nearby attractions, any other misc notes- do you need to request a fridge for medical purposes? Are pets allowed? Do they have continental breakfast, or will you need to budget that into your vacation funds?

4. Now, once you've recorded your information, and narrowed it down, a great tip is to check out what other's are saying about a place before you go there and hope for the best! Sometimes the website will post people's testimony, or you can check out http://www.yelp.com/. It's a public forum, where anyone can post their experience with a business- I love to use it to check out restaurants, and my competition!

5. Also, instead of making your reservations on line, it can be helpful to call the establishment and ask any questions, and see if there are any special activities going on that you should know about- I once went to dinner at a very large waterfront restaurant that was booked by the local American Sign Language School- being one of the only "speaking" tables at the establishment was something I've never done before... and may have thought twice about going had I known about that!

These tips can be used for any type of internet research, just adjust the words a bit to make sense and enjoy surfing the internet waves!

5 Chores You Can Get Done in 5 Minutes- or Less!

Do you have 5 minutes? Well, here are 5 chores that you can probably get done in 5 minutes or less, and feel good about!

1. Sorting through recyclables- make it easier, have a system; one container with two dividers, or if space allows, 3 seperate bins... Have on section for paper, one for plastics, and one for bottles and cans that can be brought to the redemption center (enlist the help of a child for this chore, and let them keep the change from the bottles and cans! Everyone wins!)

2. Sit down at the same time each month, or once a week- depending on your situation, and match your check book to your on line, or paper statement. While you're at it, pay some bills so you aren't waiting to the last moment!

3. Open up the fridge, and instead of getting a snack, do a quick scan of what seems to have been in there forever... are you really going to use that old bacon fat that's been there since you made brunch last month, get rid of anything expired, or questionable!

4. When you get home from the grocery store, prewash all fruits and veggies... it will save time when making dinner, or looking for a quick bite!

5. When making out your grocery list, instead of mindlessly listing items, try and sort them out by where to find them in your store- it will make for a quicker trip, and make you less likely to forget an item out of place!