ReAnn Rothwell’s Money Saving Ideas, Tax & Organizing Tips

 1) Clean out each desk drawer, to free up even more valuable storage space. Limit what you have in each drawer to what you are going to need/use within the next 4-6 weeks max.

2) Clear off the top of your desk, and then wipe off the surface of the desktop.  Starting with a clean, cleared desk will make a huge difference! Trust me.

3) Keep only essential items on your desktop (computer, phone, fax, card file, and stapler). If some thing can be put away some where, do so.

4) If you work with more than one person create an in-box for each person. Or create an inbox for “Things that need to be handled Immediately”, “Tomorrow”, “This week”. (Also see my post “The Big Bad Scary Inbox FULL of Papers”

5) Have a master to-do list for each day at your desk. You can create one in longhand, have it on your computer or like I do, schedule everything into your calendar.  (See: “Getting Things Done and Calendars”

6) Pre-Sort the physical mail every day immediately upon picking up or receiving.   Garbage, To-File, To-Read, To-Contact (write or call). (See #4) Do the same for your e-mail box.

7) Use a variety of containers to organize office supplies, paper clips and pens.  We have talked a lot about the myriad different kinds of containers available for your use. Small, large, beautiful and utilitarian.  Inside drawers, I use old check boxes - they are perfect for pens and most small office supplies. A hanging shoe bag on the back of a door makes a great storage place for those extra supplies.  Label, label, label!!

Use a variety of desktop organizers or trays to organize papers that come across your desk.  If you can set it up so that others help organize you by putting their paperwork in the correct place/box on your desk, even better!

9) Create a separate drawer for personal paperwork, items, etc. Have all of your personal things in one place.

10) Come up with a timeline that works for you and use storage boxes to store dated files. Get those out of your immediate space.

11) Purchase magazine boxes to store booklets, magazines, catalogs you want to keep. Turn them tall side out to keep a uniform look and again, label each one.

12) When there is just one article you want to keep in a magazine, tear it out and create a file for magazine articles you have torn out of magazines. Or scan them into your computer.

13) Create a filing system that will be simple, easy, and manageable for YOU.

14) Color-coding your files makes it faster to find information. Red for financial and tax info, green for health info, yellow for house/ lawn/ home info, purple for school info and report cards, etc. Again, it has to work for you!

15) Do not over stuff folders.  When a folder becomes overloaded, it may be time to toss some of the information in the folder. Take 15 minutes and sort it. Perhaps it needs to be separated into 2 folders - IE “Insurance” should probably be divided between home/auto and health.

16) Never overload your filing drawers.  It will make it difficult to retrieve information in the drawer. Is it time to put some files into long term storage or clean some out? (See #10 above and also see “Till Death do you part?”.)  

17) Sub-divide larger big files with interior file folders.

18) Consistently label tab hanging file folders in the back. That way you are always filing to the front of each file label in every single file drawer.  

19) Set yourself up a specific time to return calls in batches and take calls the same way if possible.  If the person you are trying to reach isn’t available, leave specific detailed messages, the time you called and what time you will be available to take that person’s phone call if they need to call back.

20) Empty your workspace (and headspace if possible) of everything but the project you’re working on to cut down on distraction and disruptions.

21) Keep an assortment of all-occasion cards and stamps close at hand in your office. Talking to some one on the phone and find out that something has occurred you need to send a card to? Pull one out and send it then and there - or have it ready (and dated note on it) before the call is over!

22) Keep a folder of takeout menus from favorite restaurants near your desk so you can order ahead and pick up lunch or dinner on your way home.

23) When using more than one checking account, bright color coded checks are an easy way to identify each account. You can buy checks for almost nothing by looking at the coupons in your Sunday newspaper.

24) At the end of each project or event, take 15 minutes, 30 minutes or however long it takes to organize the corresponding paperwork and file or store it. Out of sight, out of mind until the next time you actually need it.

25) Straighten your desk at the end of the each day and especially at the end of the week. This 5-10 minute exercise can help transition you from your hectic day to home life and also allow you to start each morning with a clear, fresh desk.