In addition, I am offering a Tax Relief Organizing package!   We're already into the 2nd quarter of 2011 and over 1/3 of the way through this tax year.  Do you know anyone that had difficulty getting their tax papers together this year or have you or someone you know filed for an extension?  NOW is the time to get organized!

 

Kick start your post-tax season with a 3 hour organizing session for only $99! (savings of $111)

Additional hours may be purchased at a reduced rate.

You will learn how to maximize your existing systems (or how to set one up if you don't have one).

By getting organized now, you'll be able to quickly locate your tax deductible receipts, track your mileage, and save money.

 

To take advantage of this package call (360) 690-5675 or (503)318-2178

or

email me at Darci@NaturalOrderLLC.com. 

The 2010 Tax year is now in the rear-view mirror (maybe).  If you're like me, you found a lot of duplicate receipts and forms when preparing my 2010 taxes.  This was especially an issue with my family's medical receipts.  We received copies from the provider and insurance companies.  You don't need two copies for taxes but you also don't want to simply recycle or throw the extras away.  With all the cases of identity theft you cannot be too careful. 

 

Courtesy of MetLife Home Loans you can shred those documents this Saturday, April 30th from 10:00am - 2:00pm.  They will be set up at 400 E. Mill Plain Blvd in Vancouver.  They will be accepting cash donations and new or gently used children's clothing on behalf of Northwest Children's Outreach.  If you have any questions you can reach them at (360)699-8760.

It's Time for Holiday Savings

This year consider bypassing the long lines and crazy traffic.  Stay home and pull out the laptop.  Go and shop until your heart is content but don't press 'check-out' until you check out the sites below. 

Almost every site now offers Promotion Codes or Coupon Codes.  They are found when you get to the check out area.  Go to the sites below and just type in the website where you're shopping.

Retail Me Not

Coupon Cabin

Coupon Mom

Savings

If you must go to the store go to the following sites to print out coupons (or use these in your everyday shopping to save even more).

Coupons

SmartSource

Still don't see what you need - do a search for 'coupon code' or 'promotional code' adding the website name.

Happy shopping!

CRTS - We're now Certified!

Recently owner, Darci Lee, completed a month long class and independent third-party examination in Senior Moving.   As Senior Moving Specialists are a relatively new classification this certification offers not only additional education but also a means by which to verify individuals are insured and pass a background check.

Moving is always a stressful event but for seniors it is even more so.  Imagine living in your home and raising your children, playing with your grandchildren and living life's best moments, and yes, lowest moments too.  Now imagine others, often family, telling you that you can no longer live in your home.  Although you may or may not understand that a move is in your best interest, separating from a great deal of your belongings as well as the place you've called home for so many years can be very difficult and emotional.

As Certified Relocation and Transition Specialists we are uniquely qualified to help seniors navigate the process of downsizing and moving.  If you are or know of a friend or family member that is approaching the time that they need to consider moving please let them know that there is help.  We offer free consultations and have various levels of assistance to fit every budget. 

www.NaturalOrderLLC.com
(360) 690-5675
(503) 318-2178
info@NaturalOrderLLC.com

More and more I'm talking to colleagues and clients that 2 years ago would have moved to a larger home. 
This is a growing trend that even I find myself in.  It's not always that a larger home is needed - it might be the need for another bedroom because of a new baby or it might be that your home based business is taking over your guest room and you'd like a true office.

Through the process of sorting, purging and then organizing you can continue to live in your home and not feel the squeeze. 

Starting is always the hardest part so schedule it and start in a non-emotional space.  This is a space like your linen closet or a guest room that is being use for storage.  The idea here is to quickly get momentum to keep you motivated to keep going.

Once you have your first space organized look at working on a more personal or urgent space.  Again schedule the time and start at the time of day you are most alert and energized.

If you have trouble getting motivated consider inviting a friend to work with you on a space and then return the favor by helping them.

Best wishes for an organized day.

I've opt'ed out of every junk mailer I could find but still every year that stack of phone books waited on my doorstep. 

Now you can go green and Opt Out of the Yellow Pages and White Pages. 
It only takes a second to save a tree.

http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/

Also there is an easy way to opt out of credit card offers, and it works!  Call:  888-567-8688

 

 

A quick and simple download (takes approx. 30 seconds) can allow you to donate to your favorite charity without spending a cent.

How is this possible?  A new and wonderful website... GoodSearch.net.

You can add the search engine to your toolbar (Firefox, IE, or Mac).  Then each time you use the GoodSearch tool you donate $.01 to your favorite charity.   I personally donate to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary but choose your own. 

You can donate even more by linking to other sites to purchase items.  Various sites offer a percentage of your purchase price to your charity of choice.   On the GoodSearch/GoodShop website you can choose to shop at online stores from Amazon (1.5%) to Zappos (6%).

This is a great opportunity to go about your everyday activities and give back to worthy causes.

Happy Holidays and Happy Giving!  

This time of year I get 3-5 calls each week requesting donations for this or that charity.  Most of them are well know, but others have names that sound similar to well known organizations.  With all the requests we receive to donate to various charities, how can we know that the money we send is put to good use. 

 

There are several good sites that can help you steer your way through the maze of different yet similar organizations.  One such site was recently posted on Monica Ricci’s blog, http://www.charitynavigator.org.  Two other useful sites are: http://www.charitywatch.org  and http://www.give.org information provided by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance). 

 

If you want to find out if a charity is registered in your state go to: http://www.nasconet.org .

 

It is said that it is better to give than receive.  I believe this whole heartedly.. just make sure that the group to which you choose to donate does the good work they claim. 

 

Happy Giving!

             

If the calendar didn't say so the weather today sure did.... it's Fall.        

September 22 is the first official day of fall this year.  What better time to begin going through all your fall and winter clothes from last year to see what is no longer your style or what doesn't fit just right.

Clothing re-sale shops (such as Spanky's in Vancouver, Here We Go Again in Portland or just about any other  consignment shop) take in clothes based on the season that they are worn.  Right now they are taking winter clothing.  If you wait until November or December it will be too late to get your winter clothes into consignment shops. However donation locations, such as Goodwill or Salvation Army will gladly take these and offer you a tax write-off.

Speaking of which, most people underestimate the value of their donated items.  There are great tools available to help you determine the value of your donations.  My personal favorite is 'It's Deductible' by TurboTax (http://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/itsdeductible/index.jsp).  This program is available online (link above) and best of all it's FREE! 

Once you have gathered all your items together that you plan to donate take a few minutes before running off and do the following steps... I promise in the event of an audit you will thank me.

 1)  Lay out every item so that you can see it through the lens of a camera (if it's clothes it doesn't have to show the whole shirt, but enough to be able to verify the condition/style.

 2)  Take photos of everything (I lay o
ut clothes- folded- so that you can see each piece)  You can get several items in each picture.  Digital photos are great because you can download and save them as well as print several on a single piece of paper. 

 3) While items are laid out, write down how many of each type of item you are donating (i.e. (3) turtlenecks, (4) ceramic mugs, ...)

 4)  Now gather everything up in a box or bag and load them up.  If you're not ready to take everything to the donation center, assign a place in your garage/basement where you can continue to add items as you wish.

 5) Load everything up once you're ready to go to the donation center.  When you drop them off be sure to get a tax deduction receipt.  When you get home take the list of items you wrote up, the photos of the items and the tax receipt and staple them together.  Now they are ready to place in your tax file for the year. 

It sounds like a lot of work but when you get ready to complete your taxes for the year you'll find this not only saves you a lot of time, but also rewards you with a hefty deduction! 

Do you subscribe to the Martha Stewart definition of organized? 

Do you feel neatness is synonymous with organized?

If either of the above leave you feeling less than a perfect office or home manager, fear not.

My organizing philosophy is simply - find what you need when you need it.  Easy as that! 

How does this work?  

Keep track of your movement throughout the day.  Do you always come in the same door?  If so, where do you typically put down your mail, keys, purse, etc...?  Is it always the same place?  If not, do you have a small table or hook near the entrance where you can place these items?

Does the flow of paper into your home or office have a path or does it end up in a pile on your desk or floor?  80% of what comes into your home is 'junk mail' - or unsolicited paper.  If you can stop the flow before it makes it into your home or office you will reduce the paper clutter. 

If you come in the garage with your mail set up a mail center.  Place a recycling container and/or shredder in the garage or near your entrance where you can open and dispose of any unwanted magazines, brochures, fliers, credit card solicitations, etc...   Open your regular mail here as well and recycle the ever-present product ads they include with your water bill.  Bring in only the paper you need and know exactly where you are going to put it. 

Every type of paper should have a home.  Magazines in a basket to read, bills in a folder in the office and invitations with your calendar to remind you to RSVP.  This will reduce stress when you come home from a long day because you'll know exactly where things go.  A little planning ahead will save you from the anxiety that comes with not knowing where to look for misplaced items.

Best wishes for an organized week.