True Time Management Facts. Debunk the myths.

Learn the time management facts. They say time is money...So why waste money with letting your time waste away? Learn practical and easy ways to save time and thus your money.

Organization

It's never too early to get ready for tax season. Do it now and save time later. Label folders for receipts, papers, check stubs you'll need for taxes. file regularly through out the year as you get the documentation. Come January you'll be ready to go.

How long do you need to keep records? You don't want to keep paperwork around longer than necessary, you'll soon find yourself drowning in a sea of paper.

Monthly purge - Keep bills until your next statment showing payments credited

Yearly Purge - Pay stubs, monthly retirement account statements

3 years - Credit card statements

7 years - Cancelled checks, deposit slips, monthly statements from bank, the last pay stub you received when changing jobs, investment statements - keep for the length of time you have the account plus 7 years, the support documents for tax returns

Never Purge - Tax returns, real esate records and contracts, annual summaries of retirement accounts, for insurance claims - receipts of big ticket times (cars, appliance, fine jewelry etc) as long as you own them, loan statements until you've paid the debt.. Keep the final statements forever.

Switch your credit card and utilities billings to electronic billing instead of paper statements. Many companies will give you additional incentives for switching to electronic statements and bill paying.

When you mail comes in, immediately file into appropriately labeled folders: Bills, Calls, Attention, Future Events. Immediately throw out junk mail and shred sensitive material (such as credit card offers) on the spot.

Don't keep around your old cell phones. Donate them and receive a deduction on your taxes come April. Check WirelessFoundation.org for details

Store your out of season items (clothing, holiday decorations) in clear plastic container. Label the front and side of the box with it's contents so you easily know what's inside of each box. Plastic will keep the goods, dust and mold free, and the plastic will protect from moisture.

Mark you calendar with a 'do' date not just the 'due' date. For example, you have a birthday coming up. One week before mark on your calendar to purchase the card and/or gift, so when the brithday rolls around you're prepared.

When traveling include clothes that will work with the same shoes, handbag and coat (all of which you wear upon departure because they're bulky and heavy). Outfits made of seperates that coordinate and can be switched up to make different looks work well.

Want to know what someone wants for that special occassion? What size, color do they want. Want your significant other to get you what you really want this time instead of that soap-on-a-rope gift from last year? Then sign up and have your friends and family sign up at WishCentral.com. Here you make a list of your gift wishes, indicating size, color, number exactly what you want.....like wise you can easily see what that special some one you're shopping for is hoping to get.

Time saving tips

Household tips - Save all your warranty information in a binder. If something goes wrong with an item, many companies will cover repairs.

Candles - Dust your candles with a old pair of pantyhose. Candle won't fit your candle holder. Dip the end of the candle in very hot water, and immediately stick the candle in the candle stick holder. The wax will remold itself to fit the opening.

Make your online time more efficient by using tool bars that work for you. One good tool bar to try is Yahoo! Tool bar. This tool bar helps make surfing easier & safer by including pop up blocker and anti spy software built right into the tool bar. Get one click access to your favorite sites and Yahoo search.

Return to Teach Money Management

Return to Saving Money Tips