I think one of the most frustrating parts of tax time is getting everything together.
Back in the day, when I actually prepared tax returns for clients (I don’t have time anymore), I was amazed at the various styles of “organization” utilized by my clients. There were the über-organized with print outs and annotations; the semi-organized with check ledgers and piles of receipts and the “I’m not sure what I need” variety which showed up at my office with suitcases, tupperware containers and bags full of mail and receipts.
It’s tough to know what to save and what to let go. You can find some general tips for retention of records here.
But let me be clear: I am in no way dissing the suitcase organizational style. I say, if it works for you, do it. It’s better to have a Samsonite full of records than nothing at all. So use what works.
If you’re just tossing things in a pile because you don’t know what to do with them, take heart. There are some strategies for getting organized that can work for you. Jennifer, over at My Organized Biz, will virtually makeover your home or business office – just send her a photo of your current desk/office and she’ll do the rest. And she’ll play nice. Not convinced? Check out today’s makeover.
Well by far the messiest spot in my house is my desk with all of the stacks of papers and documents. Of course, I like to say they are organized piles.
I know where everything is though. Just can’t seem to find time to file papers or toss them. I should stick to the old rule of “handle a paper once and file or toss”.
Did I mention that my desk is in my book room where my books are just as un-organized?
The messiest pat of my office is definetly the desk. I have piles of bills, papers, even pictures , that are in Laura order. It drives my husband nuts. That’s when I tell him not to use my desk! Those are my piles & they are organized (LOL)
The messiest spot in my house is the top of my desk. I like to scan everything and save that way, but sometimes i just dont have time. So it waits for a rainy day.
The messiest spot in my house is the spot on the kitchen counter, where everyone throws the mail, school papers, soccer information, karate notices, note papers, pens, pencils, staplers, tape, miscellaneous toys, electronic games, books, etc., each evening when we get home. No matter how frequently I try to cull through the pile to clean the counter off, by the end of a week, the pile has become unmanageable!
The messiest room in my condo is the Computer/Sewing/Painting room….all my hobbies…I watercolor and quit and play on the computer….three very different hobbies requiring a lot of different tools… sometimes it gets very crowded in that little room! But when company comes I can shut the door.