"Space and order free the mind. If you want to make sound financial decisions, create an atmosphere that promotes clear thinking." Regina Leeds, pg 20 of One Year To An Organized Financial Life
In the second week of January, Regina asks us to clean out the bags that we regularly carry - purses, "man-bags", laptop bags, totes, etc. I don't really struggle in this area. My purse is fairly small and compact. I just cleared the extra out the other day and added a book so that when I'm waiting on kids to finish choir I can read. I don't carry a tote, but I've been thinking about starting that. I want to be able to have a few more things that the children might need while we are out and about. I will be thinking on this more as I don't want to be too weighted down carrying "stuff". Flylady defines "stuff" as "something that undermines family fun". I don't want to have stuff but I want to have things that will help us have fun - like water bottles and socks and . . . a few other things. Not really financially related, but . . . important just the same.
I also carry a diaper bag, but I've shrunk what I carry and use a very small bag now. My diaper bag age children are at the top end and don't need as much. Come August when the baby arrives, I will probably go to a bigger size again.
March
In the second week of March, Regina (and Russell) help us get our tax papers organized! Using the filing system we were supposed have created in January we were to gather all the papers from around the house and get them filed. Well, I did work a little more on my filing system in the last few days but I ran out of file folders. Last week I created my "action files" and they are working SO WELL. No more piles on my desk or in my top desk drawer! And my DH's new job has created a lot of new paperwork!
"Never underestimate the power of the visual to help or hinder your progress." pg. 57, One Year to an Organized Financial Life. Keep your piles of papers neat and tidy after you collect them from around the house and office. I know that I have file boxes of paper down in the storage area. I need to pull those upstairs yet and get them filed away. However, I'm not willing to do so yet as I don't have the tools I need to start the task. THINGS NEEDED: medium sticky notes, legal size file folders, piles of paper from the basement, bottles of water, snacks.
Now follow through with the three steps:
1. Eliminate what you can. 2. Categorize what's left. 3. Organize it all!
Habits and Tools
Water: I didn't do so well with this habit this last week. I find that when things get busy (Jason came home this week) I forget to drink water. When I'm busy is when I need it the most though. I really need to continue to work on this.
Filing: this is going well! I currently have maybe 10 pieces of paper to file!
Financial Notebook: this has been very helpful. I just like being able to keep everything in one place.
Music: I've still cut down on the noise around here. Still loving that too!
And one more quote:
"And I just can't say it often enough: Time is money. Times is also a commodity. You get each minute only once. rather than squander time searching for papers you need, you will be saving time to devote to your financial planning, or better yet, to enjoying the rewards it will bring." pg. 58, One Year to an Organized Financial Life.
Striving to learn and live God's purposes,
2 comments:
If you have a legal file cabinet, you will need to use legal hanging file folders HOWEVER you can put letter size files inside. They are easier to manage.
Don't worry about drinking water. It's a habit that takes some people time to acquire. Think about the cleansing bath you're giving the cells in your body!
Blessings,
Regina
I do have a legal file cabinet, and I have the hangers that go in it. I have just always used legal file folders too. I will think about the letter sized ones. Thanks.
And I've been working on this water habit for a while. I even like water! I find that having it in bottles from the store allows me to drink more. Not sure why.
Post a Comment