Back-to-school season is almost here, are you ready? Here are some things to keep in mind that will make this hectic time go smoothly.
Changes in schedule
Switching from the relaxed schedule of summer break back to a school schedule takes some planning to minimize stress. Before school’s back in session, map out the plan with your kids so everyone knows what to expect. Pick a wakeup time that accommodates how long it takes everyone to get dressed and eat breakfast.
Are the kids buying lunch at school, or do you pack food from home? For packed lunches, it’s best to assemble them the night before. That way you’re less likely to forget something, and in the morning the kids can grab and go.
Supplies
Don’t buy what you don’t need; instead of heading to the store and guessing what supplies will be required for the year, wait until you have lists from teachers. To make it extra simple, combine all supply lists into one master list so you have one document to reference when you’re at the store.
Before you go shop, take a look around your house and see what you already have at home. Check off what you already have on your master list, then bring the list with you to the store. If you use lists and think before you shop, you’re likely to get everything you need in one trip!
This is a scary question. Is your financial disorganization costing you? Or worse, how much is your financial disorganization costing you? Because if your finances are not in order, I can virtually guarantee it’s costing you something.
Do you struggle to keep your financial paperwork under control? Do you have little piles of receipts all over your office? Or are they shoved in a box to hand over to your accountant at tax time?
There are two secrets to keeping on top of it all so you don’t miss important deductions–and your poor accountant is not pulling their hair out at the end of the year!
Set up a filing system that is easy to use and accessible.
Do a little bit often.
Paper systems
The simplest filing system mirrors your accounting system. The categories you use when entering expenses into your accounting system will be the same you use for your filing. Make a folder for each category of spending you get receipts for. Each week, after you enter your receipts and invoices into your financial tracking system (ledger, spreadsheet, Quickbooks, etc.), simply drop the receipts into the appropriate folder. You will keep track of your spending and your income and know where you stand each month.
Email–a blessing and a curse. It’s a wonderful way to reach someone without having to play phone tag. It’s a wonderful way to deliver necessary information. And it’s also an easy way for other people to send you the information they want to send you. Work reports that don’t actually pertain to your work. Marketing from a store that you bought one thing from 3 years ago and you might go back to one day. Reply-alls from well-meaning individuals in a group email. And spam! Managing it all can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you stay on top of your email.
Limit what comes in
It’s so easy to sign up for interesting and useful newsletters and subscriptions. Set up a separate email address for your newsletters and subscriptions that you can check on your schedule, not theirs. Be judicious about who you give your primary email address to. Use a spam service that automatically reduces the amount of spam you have coming into your inbox.
Moving is one of the top five stressors in life, along with losing a loved one, divorce, major illness or injury, and job loss. If you’re facing a move, you may be feeling anxious or stressed—but there are many ways to take the edge off, so you can move more peacefully and productively!
Spring is traditionally a time for new beginnings. Trees have new growth, flowers blossom, and babies are born. It’s a time of year when everything feels invigorating, it’s a time of expectation. But if your space is full of clutter from past activities, you do not have the space to create, explore, and experience those new beginnings. Let’s talk about letting go of what you don’t need.
