Achieve Results at Home, At Work, and In Life

Dear Lisa,

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying the autumn. For me, it is my favorite time of year so I am trying to savor it before winter sets in. I will be on the road quite a bit, and hope to see some amazing fall foliage as the leaves work their magic. In fact, by the time this hits your email inbox, I will be on the road to Washington DC to speak at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Professional Organizers. I am looking forward to sharing my expertise with my peers. I feel honored to be considered a leader in my industry and enjoy "giving back" to the profession.

This month's article is all about the strong connection between being organized and financial wellness. Did you know that being organized can put more money in your pocket? Read on for ways to boost your financial health through organization. And along those same lines, I will be fi lming a series of cable TV segments on this very issue this fall, so stay tuned for how to view those segments to get even more "organizing leads to more money" tips!

For those of you that have a long to-do and project list and would love to put a serious dent in it by the holidays, join me for the 6-week teleclass series, DECIDE to be Organized Group Coaching Program, starting Tuesday, October 18th. There are only a few spots left! The group coaching program is a fantastic way to access my expertise even if you are on a budget (and just think... the more organized you are, the more money you will save anyway!).

Stay tuned for some really exciting new programs to be launched soon. I am working on lots of great new stuff. I may be asking you for some feedback so keep your eyes out for a short (I mean it!) survey in the near future.

Happy Halloween!

 
   
P.S. Welcome to the new subscribers. I am thrilled that you have decided to become a member of the LMOS online community!

• October 15, 2011 - Lisa is presenting Don't Be Afraid of the Big Bad Law: Using the Law as a Protective Shield for Your Business at the Mid-Atlantic Professional Organizers Conference in Bethesda, MD.
• October 18, 2011 - November 29, 2011 - Lisa will be conducting the DECIDE to be Organized Online Group Coaching Program, a 6-week teleclass series, with live calls on Tuesday evenings (and recorded for those that can't make it live and want to do it as a home study course!), for those that want to achieve results at home, work and in life in an interactive group setting. See the details and register here. (Note that we skip over Thanksgiving week).
• October 31, 2011 - Lisa will be presenting DECIDE to be Organized: An Empowering Process for Change for NYSUT (NY State United Teachers) Retirees Conference at the Thayer Hotel at West Point, NY.
• Thursday, November 10, 2011 - Lisa is presenting "Motivating Employees to Convert Strong Customer Service Into Sales" for the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Orange County.

Millions of Americans vow to be better organized every year. But did you know that being more organized can save you money? Yes indeed! Here’s how.

• Organized finances – If your financial papers and systems are organized, you can easily assess your budget, track your spending and see where to cut corners if need be. It will be easier to access all the details of your accounts and finances. Knowledge is power and when your financial life is accessible and trackable, it usually results in more savings. An added bonus -- you won’t have as many missed tax deductions due to your improved financial record keeping systems.
• Effective bill paying system - Just imagine -- no late fees or overdraft fees, your credit score goes up, and your interest rates go down. Sound like a dream? It is a reality for those that have an effective, and on-time bill paying system. By keeping track of your bills, and paying them on time, you can save a significant amount of money as finance charges and late fees can range from $1 to more than $35 per month. Setting up online bill paying and automatic bank account deductions can make financial organization painless, save you, money and protect your credit rating.
• Donations = tax deductions - When clearing out your space, you may sometimes uncover items that you no longer need and cannot return to the store but are valuable to someone else. Charities need your excess stuff and you get a tax deduction.
• Unwanted clutter for sale - You can sell your unwanted items (online, locally or through consignment) and cash in! Online services such as eBay and Craigslist are two ways to sell your items for fast cash. Consignment stores are another way to sell perfectly good clothing if you choose not to donate your items. Selling your items this way is usually quicker (and far easier) and results in more money than taking the time to have a garage sale.
• No more duplicates - Many disorganized people buy duplicates or items in bulk that become obsolete due to expiration, failure to store properly, etc. Replacing items that have been "lost" or buried under the clutter is a big money waster because when the item has to be purchased again you are spending money you didn't need to. By clearing clutter it allows you to see what you have and you don’t need to over buy.
• Organized meal planning and shopping - By knowing what is in the refrigerator and cupboards of your kitchen, you won’t be over-buying and having food going to waste. Also, making a shopping list and planning out your menus in advance helps. An added bonus is that eating at home more frequently is less expensive than eating out.
• Home and car maintenance - Keep on top of home repairs and car maintenance. If you take better care of the things you own, they will break down less frequently. Some examples include servicing your heating and air conditioning systems at home, changing the oil in your car, etc.
• Don't wait until the last minute - Another reason to be organized is to avoid paying a premium for things at the last minute because you are up against a deadline. Some ways to avoid late fees is to record due dates in a daily planner, sign up for email at the library to receive notices of overdue books before they incur a fine, buy gifts in advance, and book travel plans early. Also, you can save money by using your coupons, store credits, and gift cards before they expire, and sending in rebates on time.

The above tips are just a few ways that being organized can save you money. And who wouldn't want to put some more money in his or her pocket in this "new economy"? So get organized, and reap the benefits financially.