Getting Organized for SUMMER!

Summer is right around the corner! That means it's time for the all the beach toys, outdoor sports equipment, shoes, suntan lotions and all other summer necessities to come out of hiding and add to the clutter in your home. Before the season is in full swing, try implementing some of these quick tips for keeping everything contained and easy to find before you run out the door to enjoy your summer activities.

• Flip-flops are the designated shoes of summer in our households. The only problem is, they end up in big piles by the door. Find a large bin or tin bucket, and place it by the door most used by family members. Then whenever anyone comes inside, they know exactly where to put them.
• Pack a few Ziploc bags and store them in your coat closet or in a basket near the main entrance. One bag could have bug repellent and sunscreen, another could have travel games or activities children can use when hitting the road to a further destination, or even a bag for first-aid( including band-aids for all those small cuts and scrapes that come with summer vacation. ) Make sure you label them so you don't forget the contents.  

An over -the -door shoe storage bag like this one from The Container Store is also a great option for keeping all those small items right where you can find them. Items that work best are sunglasses, suntan lotion, chapstick, sun hats, bug spray , and small outdoor toys like bubbles or sidewalk chalk. This clear one makes it impossible to lose that small tube of SPF 40 ultra  lip balm.

• There's nothing like a big, canvas bag when it comes to organizing swimsuits and pool gear. Keep a large one in your coat closet. Put all dry bathing suits in the bag so you don't have to go searching for them when you need them. In addition, keep two or three towels and any other pool gear in there as well. That way, you can just grab it and go when you're ready to go for a dip. 

• Since it's summer and outside is the place to be...set up your car in advance to maximize the fun you have outdoors. Keep one or two folding chairs in your trunk along with a canvas bag or plastic bin. Keep a bottle of sunscreen and bug spray, a mesh bag with some small sand toys, a towel, and light jackets as well. A large blanket also comes in handy for summer concerts, picnics, or my favorite.....fireworks!   

                                         

• Set up a bin, basket, or tub for outdoor toys and keep it in the hall closet or near the door. Outdoor chalk, bubbles and other outdoor toys will be easy to find for everyone. Also, this wire barrel from The Container Store or even a clean new garbage can are great to store summer sports equipment such as basketballs or tennis rackets. 

Summer is a great time to start making healthier choices. Check out this great snack box idea from Real Simple . Grab and go individually packaged healthy snacks such as cut fruits and veggies, cheese sticks, and yogurt make it easy for children to make healthy choices. If you can get them into the routine this summer, this same concept can be used way into the school year while planning school lunches or after school snacks

 By following these tips, I hope you will enjoy the relaxing days of summer a little more. I may be one of the only parents out there that is ready for the rushed schedule of school to be over (I may change my mind two weeks into summer) I am looking forward to some beach time and some relaxing! Have a fun and safe summer!

It's Tax Time AGAIN! Are You Ready?

Buried in piles of unsorted mail and household papers is all the important data you need to prepare your taxes and now you have to find it all. Every tax season you vow to do it differently, but without a system in place you will fall into the same chaos next April. Follow these tips in the coming year to take control of your tax papers so you don't have the same problem next year!

• Place deduction documentation in envelopes. Label each envelope by subject. For example: charitable contributions, medical expenses, business expenses, etc.


• If you have a hard time getting those receipts to your file cabinet, write "taxes" and the current year at the top when you receive a receipt for a deductible item. This will remind you not to toss it when sorting through receipts at a later date.


• Use a mileage diary or smartphone apps such as MileBug or Trip Cubby to keep track of the miles you travel.


• The IRS requires that you keep a receipt from donations to charitable organizations. It must show the name of the organization, the date and the location, description of the property, and a fair market value of each item. We love to use the Salvation Army's donation valuation guide at www.satruck.com/donation-value-guide to estimate the fair market value. TurboTax also supples a free donation evaluator called "It's Deductible"


• For those short on time, consider using http://www.shoeboxed.com/ . Monthly subscribers receive a postage-paid envelope to fill with receipts. The company scans the receipts into a software program and inserts it into a spreadsheet you can access online.


• And of course my favorite....Neat receipts. Neat receipts is a mobile scanner that allows you to scan receipts and load them onto your computer. http://www.neat.com/
  

There is more than one way to control your tax papers. If all else has failed, contact us at http://www.theartoforder.net/ or theartoforder@verizon.net so we can access your situation and find a solution that will work for you. With our help, even you can gain control of your tax documents! Also, contact us if you have questions on deciding what papers to keep and for how long.