Wow -- a third post with good organizing news. Simple steps. While the kids were playing in the backyard, I went into the garage and took out three boxes to go through. Success! During the kids nap time, I went through three more boxes in the garage -- purged, recycled, and started a box for donation.
Later in the day, we dropped off two boxes for donation!
I have discovered that tackling one box or one drawer at a time is working. A box or a drawer has a defined start and end.
Spent 1 hour on the business working to increase profits.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
4 hours of organizing
Today I made a major headway in organizing "stuff!" I have spent the last 4 hours going through the files.
Why today....
Once again, I spent probably 45 minutes looking for stuff this morning. It's frustrating and a huge time sink to be so unorganized.
So here is what I did: First I made space by cleaning out a cupboard in the bookshelf and two desk drawers. Then I went through two file cabinet drawers shredded documents which were not needed and any monthly bills that we not 2009. All in all, I opened up lots of extra space to get the current documents filed. Third, I filed all the outstanding bills/documents. In the process, confirmed there is three outstanding bills to pay for the current month -- and they are not until the end of the month.
Great news -- NO LATE BILLS THIS MONTH!
Another day and another huge step forward.
Why today....
Once again, I spent probably 45 minutes looking for stuff this morning. It's frustrating and a huge time sink to be so unorganized.
So here is what I did: First I made space by cleaning out a cupboard in the bookshelf and two desk drawers. Then I went through two file cabinet drawers shredded documents which were not needed and any monthly bills that we not 2009. All in all, I opened up lots of extra space to get the current documents filed. Third, I filed all the outstanding bills/documents. In the process, confirmed there is three outstanding bills to pay for the current month -- and they are not until the end of the month.
Great news -- NO LATE BILLS THIS MONTH!
Another day and another huge step forward.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Week One Goals
What prompted the start of a blog? A dear friend said "reality check not a pay check." A new reality the we need organization and a strong focus. So with an out-of-control life, where do we start. That has been the problem in the last year. We haven't started anything, because there is no defined place to start and it's simply overwhelming, and fearful of unearthing just more stuff that needs done.
Although, just 15 minutes a day over the past year translates to 5475 minutes, which is 91 hours or 12 -- eight hour working days. Every day we have said, gosh if we just had a week off nothing going on, we'd get a everything caught up. The reality is: we had almost two weeks of time in the bag, but we wasted it away in 15 minute increments.
So the goal for the next week:
15 minutes a day
(each day, 15 minutes to review the checking account balance, to file papers, organize account numbers, shred or throw away, etc)
Focus on touching each "thing" once -- deal with it the first time.
Work two hours a day on increasing the profit to the business.
Although, just 15 minutes a day over the past year translates to 5475 minutes, which is 91 hours or 12 -- eight hour working days. Every day we have said, gosh if we just had a week off nothing going on, we'd get a everything caught up. The reality is: we had almost two weeks of time in the bag, but we wasted it away in 15 minute increments.
So the goal for the next week:
15 minutes a day
(each day, 15 minutes to review the checking account balance, to file papers, organize account numbers, shred or throw away, etc)
Focus on touching each "thing" once -- deal with it the first time.
Work two hours a day on increasing the profit to the business.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Day One
Recognize that Life is out of control day one
Current debt to income: 140%
Future debt to income: 185%
- Overwhelmed with paper/bills and household stuff
o Laundry basket full of “stuff” – who knows how many bills are in there? hopefully none!
o Savings bonds/cash in random places
o 95% sure current month bills are paid
o Passwords/account numbers and logins stuff everywhere on little piece of papers
o no homeowners insurance on second rental property
- Wife out of a part-time job in 7 weeks
o Benefits increase$600.00/per month
o No monthly income from her (1200)
- Debt to income ratio: monthly debt (personal and business) 6200 – total income: 5000
o Current house: worth 170,000 – owe 95,000. 15 year mortgage – owe $1000.00/month
o Second property: condo worth 275,000 – owe 245,000 – 30 yr mortgage – 2,000/month
o Private loans:
§ Father 1: 40,000 -- $220/month 2% unsure who many years – haven’t paid since borrowing in May 2008
§ Father 2: 25,000 -- $400/month – currently paying and caught up with payments
§ Mother 1: 35,000 -- $450/month (to be honest – unsure of amount)
o Credit Cards: 9500+2500+1000+9500=21,600
o Currently owe: 9500 on credit card. Rest paid off using father/mother loaned money
- Credit: shot
o paying 9500 on a credit card – 12% paying 220/month
o Between april 2008 and april/may 2009 – did not any (ok some) credit card bills. Interest rate shot to 39% and 24%. Cards closed everywhere – credit calls all day long
o April 2009: Talked to consumer credit as option to get out
o April/May 2009: began private debt settlement negotiations between ourselves and creditors
o June 2009: credit cards (accept for 9500) closed and settled.
o Outstanding BANK loan for overdraft fees: 1000.00
- Life:
o Awesome parents together
o Ongoing summer custody issues for no reasons – why? we never know?
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