Rowena List, Author at Getting it Together

About Rowena List

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Rowena List has created 161 blog entries.

Estate Planning Made Simple

Personal estate organizing starts at the time we become an adult. Even if you think you have nothing of value there is still the question of your final wishes. Even if you think you have nothing there is still your bank account or your possible employment benefits etc.

We all know there is no escaping death, however we believe it will never happen to us. When we hear of a famous person’s demise, we are usually in disbelief thinking that somehow, they are exempt from death. And when it is a person close to us, we go into shock, grief and sadness.

This is all real but somehow feels surreal.

Talking about death and dying does not mean it will come sooner. So why is it that we avoid the topic?

There are so many easy ways to be organized for your passing. This in turn will lessen the burden on your friends and family.

Imagine transitioning with grace.

Check out this short video on Estate Planning Made Simple https://youtu.be/mL4MQc2G5o4?t=182 and then read on for the Getting It Togethers Top 5 Tips.

Tip 1: Have a secure place for all of your digital passwords. Even if you use an online service like www.onepassword.com your loved ones still need to know how to get into that site.

Keep a copy in your safety deposit box.

Survivors need access to

Cell phone
Computer
Social media accounts
Home alarm with instructions on how to work it and the pass code.
Hidden spare keys and list of people who might have spare key to your home or vacation property.
Bank Accounts
Online accounts like banking, direct deposits, PayPal etc.

Tip 2: Our stuff is less important to others. Are you saving stuff for your grown children? Do you even know if they want it or not?

I have heard of people having a family dinner where each person can claim certain heirlooms by placing a sticker on the bottom of the item with their name on it.

Or you might have special pieces of jewelry that you want to go to certain people which you will make note of in your will.

More has lost its appeal.

Less represents freedom.

Tip 3: Making special requests for your remains. Do your family members really know your final wishes?

Does everyone agree on them?

It is so important to have this in writing.

Advanced Planning- non legal organizing

Funeral, memorial service, celebration of life
Organ donation plan
Cremation or burial
Obituary (be very careful about identity theft when publishing)
Eulogy
Asset Distribution
Estate Directory – friends, family (have an up-to-date list of all their names and numbers)
List of Doctors, lawyers, financial planner, minister, accountant, insurance agent, employer, godparents, neighbours, kids’ school, babysitter, and daycare. Be sure to update these lists as things change in your life. I suggest reviewing this information once a year.
phone company
banks
credit card companies
volunteer organizations you belong to
Safety deposit box (with location of key) one way to ensure smooth sailing is to have your bank acct and safety deposit box in joint name with one of your survivors.
Anything else you can think of that your survivors would need access to. Like passport, birth certificate and SIN # etc.

Tip 4: Legal Essentials

Will
Power of Attorney
Representation Agreement (living will)
Cash/life insurance, all financial documents
Business Succession Plan (if you own your own business) listing names of employees and their numbers, any contract workers or suppliers.
Any outstanding loans/alimony/child support

Tip 5: In order to process a registration of death for vital statistics and to process a death certificate, the funeral home will need the following

The deceased persons full legal name including maiden name if female
Date of birth
Date of death
Birthplace
Social insurance number
Health care number
Fathers full name
Mothers full name
Full name of surviving spouse
Occupation and for how long
Religious affiliation
Was the deceased a military veteran? This is important to have this information on file.

I am wishing all of my readers a long, happy, healthy, successful life.

When you do pass on, where will your affairs lie in the spectrum between chaos and order?

Please let me help you and your loved ones by making this transition smooth. Let’s get Your Binder together.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch today. rowena@gettingittogether.ca for a free 15-minute phone consultant on estate organizing. I’ll share with you your first next step.

By Rowena List|2024-12-08T20:46:32+00:00December 8th, 2024|Uncategorized|0 Comments

How To Reduce Paper Clutter Once and For All

Do you suffer from TMPS? Too Much Paper Syndrome.

Where does all your paper clutter come from?

“They” said that with the invention of the computer we would be paperless. Ya right, we have 20% more paper now than we ever had before. Why? Fear. People print things because of the fear of not being able to find it on their computer, or their computer blowing up or, or, or. Why do you print?

Check out this quick video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrB2S0Sk88A and then read on for more.

TOP 5 Tips from Getting It Together on

How to Reduce Paper Clutter Once and For All.

Tip#1 Trust.

There is a level of trust that comes with conquering your paper clutter. You need to believe that if you toss papers and then realize you need it later that you will be able to get the information from someplace else. You also need to trust your computer and how it is backed up.

Tip#2 Go Paperless.

Stop paper from coming into your home by switching to online bill payments.

Put a note in your mailbox to stop all junk mail.

Tip#3 Systems.

Do you prefer to have everything on your phone or do you like to have a system for jotting down to-dos, notes to family members and phone messages. Pick one method and stick to it.

Tip#4 Shred it.

Get yourself a small shredder. Make sure it crosscuts to protect your privacy. Get one that can shred about ten sheets of paper at once. You might not need that right now, however down the road it is one of the better shredders to have. Shred all unnecessary papers in your home that have any of your personal information on it. Keep in mind that you only need to keep important documents for 7 years.

If you have years and years of documents, a professional shredding company will come to your home and do it right before your eyes.

Tip#5 Take 15.

Take 15 minutes each day. Take a small handful of papers. Sit down. Handle each piece of paper ONCE. Deal with that piece of paper. Does it need to be tossed, shredded, or recycled? Is it a bill that needs to be paid? Set it up on automatic payment and go paperless while you are at it. Are there school notices, kids’ art work in those piles? Deal with each piece of paper ONCE.

Going through papers is not that much fun. Why not treat yourself to hands on organizing session with me. We can conquer your paper clutter once and for all.

Before we book an appointment, you get a FREE 15-minute phone consultation. In that consultation we will discuss your needs and concerns. I’ll give you some tips on how to move forward with clearing the paper clutter prior to us getting together.

By Rowena List|2024-11-15T23:50:52+00:00November 15th, 2024|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Top Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life

Top Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life

Take time for 10-30 minutes of exercise everyday like yoga, Thai chi, run or walk. And while you do it, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. If you don’t carve out “white space” every day, it could lead to burnout.
Tape your late-night shows and get more sleep. Or better yet, give your TV away. Radical, I know. I haven’t had TV for over ten years and have not missed it once.
When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
“My purpose is to __________ today.” And replace “have to” with “get to”.
Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
Play more games and read more books than you did last year.
Treat everyone like you want to be treated.
Be decisive even if it means you’ll sometimes be wrong
Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.
Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six. (Not just people who ACT like they are over 70 or under the age of 6.)
Dream more while you are awake.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class…but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Eat breakfast like a king or queen, lunch like a prince or princess, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed-out charge card (who doesn’t have parents paying the bills). J
Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away. Dad jokes are the best.
Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Ladies — Go on and burn those “special” scented candles, use the 600
thread count sheets, the good china and wear your fancy lingerie now. Stop
waiting for a special occasion. Every day is special.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Reframe every so-called disaster with these words: ”In five years, will this matter?”
Forgive everyone for everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.

Hug at least one person per day!
…AND LAUGH SO HARD YOU WET YOUR PANTS!

For more information on this or any other subject, contact Rowena.

Announcements

Referral Program

Whether you are a client or not, Rowena would like to thank you for your referrals by offering a referral fee for any new client you send her way.

She’ll give you a cheque for 5% of the total bill or that same amount off your next newly booked session with her.

This offer is time limited so don’t wait…refer away.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch today.

www.gettingittogether.ca

Rowena List, Professional Organizer
rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

By Rowena List|2024-11-15T23:25:32+00:00November 15th, 2024|Uncategorized|0 Comments

What To Do With Your Old Greeting Cards

Do you love to save every greeting card you have ever received?

What plan do you have for them?

Do you have boxes of greeting cards that you have received?

Check out this short video on “What To Do With Your Old Greeting Cards

https://youtu.be/IWOsNytoa9w?t=50 and then

read on to get the TOP 5 Getting It Together’s TIPS on What To Do With Your Old Greeting Cards.

Tip#1 Decide if you are an Ecard person or a paper card person. Pick one method and stick to it. Some people are NO card people. Maybe as a family they have decided to not send any cards. (You might decide to put the money you would spend on cards and donate it to a charity of your choice) Then there is the “send out card” company. They do all the work for you once you have given them all your details.

Tip#2: Purpose. What is the purpose of keeping a card? If you give someone a card do you expect them to keep it FOREVER? Probably not. Just like if someone gives you a card, they do not expect you to keep it forever. I heard of a lady who kept every card she had ever received. She thought she would re-read them all one day when she was in a care home. She wanted to remember all the kind things people had said to her. I visit an extended care home once a week, there is no room in those places for a lifetime supply of greeting cards.

Tip#3: Keep the very special ones. You decide that yes indeed you would like to keep the very special cards. After each Birthday, Anniversary, festive holiday season sit down with a cup of tea. Look over all your cards and select your 2-3 most precious ones. I put one or 2 of my most special greeting cards in random places in my “working” binder. When I open a page, I get a warm fuzzy feeling from the person who sent me the card.

Tip#4: Store them properly. Once you have narrowed down your cards, store them in a plastic shoe box. It would be fair to have one box per person in the household. If the box is overflowing, it is time to revisit the cards and purge some. This is not the time to buy a bigger box. J

Tip#5: Recycle, repurpose. Please be sure to recycle all greeting cards you are not keeping or repurpose them. One way is to turn your old greeting cards into gift tags. Cut out part of the pretty picture, punch a hole in the upper corner and put a ribbon through it. Check in with your local school or senior center to see if they would like cards for craft projects. I knew one lady who could take a greeting card and turn it into a box. She then put small candies or a piece of jewelry in it and gave them away.

PS: This picture is of the system I use to store new greeting cards. This box has dividers in it for all of the special occasions. Once I buy my cards, I simply file them under the appropriate occasion. I also use my perpetual calendar

By Rowena List|2024-08-15T20:32:18+00:00August 10th, 2024|Home Organization, Organization Tips|0 Comments

Getting Your Renovations Together

How long have you lived with a kitchen that’s bugging you?

Is your bathroom from the 80’s?

Are you sick and tired of the chaos?

As a Professional Organizer, I can take a lot of the stress away from your renovation or new build!

See my Renovations Help page for more details and to see what my clients are saying!

Getting It Togethers Top 5 Tips for Renovating.

Tip1: Downsize first. Clear out all the unwanted items. I will help you with getting ruthless!

Tip 2: Know your pain points. Are cabinets too high for you to reach, is the counter too low for you, do you want a storage cubby for each of your kids? And what have you always wanted but thought you couldn’t fit it into your space to meet your needs?

Tip 3: Have a budget in mind, also knowing that there can be unforeseen expenses.

Tip 4: Know your Strata rules and bylaws; get necessary approvals and any needed permits in advance.

Tip 5: Be open to suggestions. Keeping an open mind is key, as is visualizing enjoying your new space.

I can jump in and take your stress away if you’re already working with a contractor, or my quality Italian contractor and team can help from start to finish. We work on only one project at a time to ensure your project is done in a timely manner. Our quote is firm unless there is an unforeseen situation. All materials are purchased in advance.

We guarantee our quality work.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch so we can discuss how I can help you with your renovation today!

Rowena List, Professional Organizer
rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

We chose Rowena and Davide to renovate our kitchen and could not be more pleased with the result! After meeting with them and deciding on a clear plan, we arranged a date for the work to begin and then left town. Rowena oversaw the project and kept us informed with photos and details. Davide’s work is amazing and they completed the work earlier than expected. I would definitely recommend Rowena for any project you are thinking of. She meets and exceeds expectations!

Valerie & David, Burnaby BC Canada

Happy client’s bathroom – Before and After
BEFORE	AFTER {not yet styled}

By Rowena List|2024-07-18T17:47:26+00:00July 9th, 2024|Home Renovations|0 Comments

Get Organized: Your High-Tech Self

Do you feel like technology changes faster then you can change your underwear? How is a person to keep up and keep it all “together”? Take a ‘byte’ out of personal systems overload – try these 5 simple tips.

Getting It Together’s Top 5 Tips for the High-Tech Self

TIP #1 – Do not and I repeat – do not – answer your phone unless you can talk and/or fulfill any tasks that might come from the conversation. That means if you are in the shower, bathroom, having dinner or in a coffee line – the calls can wait. Voice mail is your friend. People everywhere feel like they’re working harder and achieving less. The discipline of checking voice mail can therefore give you the boundaries you need to put some personal sanity back into your harried day. So savor that meal. Enjoy that conversation. Respect your family. The personal dividends repaid for not answering every call far out weigh the ‘just in time’ panic cultivated by a cluttered life.

TIP #2 – Text or DM (or IM or whatever!) when you’re in private. Enjoy the moment and the people you are with while you are with them. I know what you are thinking, “yeah, but what does she know about my life and business? I have to answer all calls and texts.” That’s fine. But do it in private. Make the people you are with feel important and special. Business is about relationships. If you can’t respect the time of the people you’re with, how can they respect you?

TIP #3 – Be selective as to what you forward. You might think the email is funny but will the recipient? Ask in advance if they would like to receive jokes etc. Your friends, family and co workers might be trying to cut down on the clutter in their inboxes, too!

TIP #4 – Spell check was invented for a reason. Use it even if the email is to a friend or family member and especially in all work related correspondence.

TIP #5 – Turn off all electronic messaging devices in meetings, movies or public places. I bet you would hate for the phone to ring if you were a guest speaker at an event or trying to watch a movie while on a date. While you’re at it, use a “normal” ring tone. Nothing is more annoying than a quirky ring tone and hearing several of them at once.

Getting It Together is a Professional Organizing company serving Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Langley, Maple Ridge and beyond. Get in touch so we can discuss how I can help you get more organized today!

Rowena List, Professional Organizer
rowena@gettingittogether.ca
604-520-9550

By Rowena List|2024-06-24T17:44:15+00:00June 24th, 2024|Organization Tips, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Slim Trim Weight Loss Ideas

One of the most frequently asked question I get is “what should I do with all my papers?” and the next FAQ is “how do you stay so slim?” We will talk about papers in another article. For today we will concentrate on slim trim weight loss ideas. You might be thinking what does this have to do with getting organized? In order to be our best selves we need to be organized. It affects all areas of our life doesn’t it?

Have you ever heard of the three major body types?

They are Ectomorph, Mesomorph or Endomorph.

An ectomorph is a typical slim person. Ecto’s have a light build with small joints and lean muscle. Usually ectomorph’s have long thin limbs with stringy muscles.

A mesomorph has a larger bone structure, larger muscles and a naturally athletic physique. They find it quite easy to gain and lose weight.

The endomorph body type is solid and generally soft. Endomorphs gain fat very easily. Endo’s are usually of a shorter build with thicker arms and legs.

People can be a combination of the above body types.

Do you know which one you are?

I happen to be an Ectomorph.

With all that being said all body types can reach and maintain healthy weight loss. The key word here is HEALTHY.

Why not try Getting It Together’s Top 6 Tips on Slim Trim Weight Loss and see the results for yourself.

Tip #1 Start your day with exercise or increase your daily activities. It takes good planning and organization to get to the gym every day. (We have talked about that in one of our past video blogs) Maybe you are in a situation where this in not possible. Small children at home or start work at 5 am. You can however increase your daily activities.

Take the stairs, park as far away from your office building as possible and walk to it. Run around the park with your kids. Do some stretching throughout the day. Walk on your lunch hour or have walk and talk meetings.

Tip #2 Start your day with a high protein shake. I love my hemp protein. In a blender add a banana, frozen fruit, yogurt, hemp protein powder, seeds, nuts and water. You will be full for many hrs plus all the protein goes right to muscle rebuilding. Protein shakes are also a great meal replacement for busy people on the go.

Tip # 3 Drink loads of water. How many times do we need to hear this? Cold water boosts your metabolism by up to 30%. I like to add lemon to mine. This acts as a natural cleanse and tastes good. The key is to always have water with you. This takes some organizing. Carry your refillable water bottle to the gym, to work, beside your TV, in the car and to the dinner table. The more water you drink the more daily activity you will have because you will need to be running to the washroom 🙂

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:36+00:00July 14th, 2015|Organizer, Self Care Organization|2 Comments

How to Avoid Shopping Traps

How often do you hear people say “oh it is only X dollars so I may as well get it”

You are out shopping with a friend and the clerk lets you know that today only is “buy one get one free (BOGO) or buy one and get one at half price”

These and many more are some of the shopping traps we need to be aware of.

Check out this short video on how to avoid shopping traps

Then read on for Getting It Together’s Top 7 tips on How to Avoid Shopping Traps (not in any particular order)

Gift with purchase. You will see this a lot at the cosmetic counters. Spend 50.00 and you get this for free. Now the interesting thing about these gifts is that they might not be the best items for you. Check and make sure you really need these free items or have a friend/family member that you can give them to. Do you have large quantities of unused cosmetic items sitting under the sink? Why not donate them to your local women’s shelter?
Bigger is better. All of the big box stores promote this mentality. Let’s get real! If you live on your own or have a really small family you probably do not need a life time supply of paper towels. It is better to keep your money in the bank than on your pantry shelf taking up valuable space. So often I clear out a client’s pantry only to find several hundreds of dollars of expired food items. Can you split large bulk items with your neighbour or a family member?
Free Shipping (if purchase is over X amount). Don’t get caught up in buying unnecessary items just to get the free shipping. Better yet why not talk to a friend or family member and see if they need anything from that same store.
Get them in all colours. I always thought that was interesting how Oprah talked about her favorite things and when she found a sweater she liked she got it in every colour. For her it is not about the money however when does a gal have that much time to wear all those sweaters?
It’s on sale. This is not the reason to buy anything. The only reason to make a purchase is because you need the item. This is especially true for women’s clothing. You hear ladies say “well it was ONLY 9.99” but do they wear it? Just think, you have to spend to save!
Complete your set. Ok if you have a fine china set and you use it and love it then you probably would want to have ample place settings to complete the set however in most other cases (which I cannot think of one can you?) then what set do you need to complete?
Not having a purpose. We can get caught up in these traps by thinking that one day we might need that item. Whatever that item might be. Buy things as you need them.

5 Questions to ask yourself before purchasing.

Do I need it?
Do I have the money to buy this?
Can I get it on sale or at a better price someplace else?
Can I ask for this item for my Birthday, Anniversary or Christmas gift?
What is the purpose of buying it?

This article is not about putting a damper on shopping which can be a fun past time for many. It is simply one way of looking at how to avoid shopping traps. We all make purchasing mistakes. Buy an item just because, or to make us feel happy or we feel we got talked into it just to name a few. However next time you head on out for a shopping day take these tips and maybe it will help you in being a more mindful shopper.

PS: My online marketing buddy Mary Charleson, wrote this great article on Target. I found it so interesting that I wanted to share it with you along with Mary’s FREE offer.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:36+00:00May 19th, 2015|Organizer|0 Comments

How To Get Financially Organized – Part 2

Hopefully by now you have your systems in place. Did you decide to go paperless or are you feeling more comfortable with a small file cabinet? Did you check out the fees at your bank? If you received the 1to31 organizing system how are you doing with it? Do you need a quick consultation on how to get the most from it? If so please contact me and I will walk you through it. In the mean time, check out this short video on

How
To Get Financially Organized

– part 2

and then read Getting It Together’s Top 5 Tips Tip #1: Automatic savings. Set up an automatic savings deposit every month. Look at your finances and decide what amount can go to your savings accounting. If it is done automatically you will not miss it. Even small amounts add up. Check out the documentary “livingononedollar” if you do not believe me. I save all of my change and add it to this account. Those loonies and toonies add up for those of us living in Canada. I see the States have a one dollar coin now too. Welcome to our world America. Tip #2: Make a monthly date with yourself. Once a month take the time to look over your financial situation. Review your bank statements and files in your file cabinet if you are not paperless. If you receive everything online set up files on your computer using the same file names in tip 1 from part 1 of

How To Get Financially Organized

. Also each month reconcile your spending, your cheque book and your budget. Tip #3: Have a financial goal. Whether you are just starting out in your first job or are established in your career it is important to have a financial goal. How much do you want to save each year? How much do you want to donate if anything? Take a good hard look at all of your expenses and come up with a plan. If you find this overwhelming give me a call and I will help you organize all of this. This tip alone will be very empowering if done correctly even if you do not make the kind of money you would like to be making at this moment in time. Tip #4: Clear out the old. Once a year clear out all of your old bills, investment statements and any other papers that happen to make their way into your files. That can happenJ Tip #5: Talk. It is important to talk to your kids early on in life about money and finances. Get them to set up a short term and long term savings account. Talk to your partner about your financial goals. Do you have the same values around money, saving and spending? P.S.>> Click here to listen to my Guest spot on BlogTalkRadio. It was so much fun! A great short story to end with. Shared by one of my readers. Thank you The Magic Bank Account Imagine that you had won the following *PRIZE* in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has rules: The set of rules: 1. Everything that you didn’t spend during each day would be taken away from you. 2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account. 3. You may only spend it. 4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that day. 5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, “Game Over!”. It can close the account and you will not receive a new one. What would you personally do? You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don’t know, because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on yourself, right? You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew it would be replenished in the morning, right? ACTUALLY, This GAME is REAL … Shocked??? YES! Each of us is already a winner of this *PRIZE*. We just can’t seem to see it. The PRIZE is *TIME*

Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life.
And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is not credited to us.
What we haven’t used up that day is forever lost.
Yesterday is forever gone
Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time WITHOUT WARNING…

SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds? Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars. Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think. So take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply and enjoy life! Here’s wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day. Start “spending”….

DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT GROWING OLD…!

SOME PEOPLE DON’T GET THE PRIVILEGE!

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:38+00:00April 21st, 2015|Media Appearances, Organizer, Organizing Finances, Time Management|0 Comments

How To Get Financially Organized Part 1

Do you panic when it comes to tax time?

Do you dream of having all of your important papers ready at any given moment for the bank?

Like when you are going for a loan or mortgage.

If your house was on fire what would you grab?

The interesting thing is almost everyone interviewed says their photos. No one ever says their important documents. In fact both are very hard to replace if not almost impossible.

Why not set up a system that is easy to grab? Yes for the most part things will be on your computer however I have found that people still like to have a paper trail. I think it is because we feel more in control if we have that important document in our hands and then we can file it. We can see it at a quick glance and more importantly we can touch it. What do you think? Please leave it in the comment box below.

We are still not a paperless society. There are certain things that we need handy in paper format like a power of attorney or a will.

In order to get financially fit I would suggest watching this quick video (Part One) and then follow these simple Getting It Together’s Top 5 tips on how to get financially organized.

Tip #1: Set up a small and I mean small file cabinet or portable file box. The reason you want to keep it small is so you will toss out the outdated information as the new information comes in.

Create File Folders for:

Savings Account
Chequing account
Credit Card accounts (I suggest having two credit cards especially if you travel)
Retirement accounts
Mortgage
Investment accounts
Insurance: life, critical illness, disability, home and car
Loans
Will and power of attorney
Tax return from past yr and current yr.
Miscellaneous

I personally have all these important documents in a binder. My executor knows exactly where it is and what is in it. This will make her job easier when the time comes for her to deal with my affairs. Being this organized with your important papers is a gift you give to the people who are left to deal with your affairs. There is nothing worse than trying to find all the important papers while grieving.

Tip #2: Set up online banking and telephone banking. Like it or not sooner than later we will have to do 90% of our banking online and why not? It is a great way to save time. You can do all of your banking while the kids sleep or on your coffee break at work.

Tip #3: Set up automatic bill payments. The best thing I ever did to get financially organized was setting up all of my bills to be pre-authorized to go on my visa. Then once a month my Visa gets paid automatically from my account. Yes it is important to check your credit card statement to make sure that all of the purchases are yours. You can do that online before it gets paid. If you set up this system it is important to pay your credit card off in full each month. The last thing you want is to be paying interest on your phone bill etc. The best part is you get extra travel miles if you collect those.

If you are not comfortable with automatic bill payments then set yourself up a little area in your home where you pay bills. Is it in the kitchen or do you have a small office area? Make sure you have the supplies required.

Stamps
Envelopes
Pens
Paper
Return address labels
Shredder
Recycle bin.

Once the bill is paid file it until the next months bill comes in at which point you can shred the last months bill. There is no need to keep a life time of phone bills. Even if you are in business for yourself you only have to keep 7 years worth. All major companies keep a record of our bills should you ever need an old statement.

Tip #4: Reduce banking fees. Check with your bank to see how you can reduce monthly banking fees. If I keep a balance of $1000.00 or more in my account I avoid all fees. If you are a senior you might be able to avoid fees. Each bank has different policies. Shop around to get the best deal for you.

Tip #5: Use your 1to31 system. Don’t have one yet? Check it out at www.1to31.com

If you are still getting paper bills file them under the date in which they need to be paid. The 1to31 is the best place to keep track of them.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:38+00:00April 14th, 2015|Organizer, Organizing Finances, Tax Organization|0 Comments

12 Next