Are You Organizing Your Tax Documents and Other Paperwork?

 

Make your important papers accessible.  You never know when you might need them again.

 

Organizers to use:

 

File box

PDF files in online folders or computer

File folders offline

Binders with dividers

Portable drives

Memory cards and case

CDs

Fabric office storage organizer

 

Planning a Short Hotel Stay - Get Organized Now, So You Won't Be Sorry Later

On organizing a hotel stay, one will need the time and dedication to search for the best deals.  Think about the season you are planning your travel.  Are there discounted hotel stays currently ongoing? Do you have a membership to a site that offers exclusive deals, coupon codes and cash back or points on your purchases? There are websites that do offer cheap hotel rates but take a moment to research the hotels listed before you book your stay.  Also, some of those bargain sites do not refund your money if you should show up and decide that the hotel is not right for you.  Be sure to check reviews.

When it comes to planning a short hotel stay, you want to be sure that you have all items that you need and not necessarily what you might use or want just because.  The more belongings you have, the more likely you will forget something.  So start with your essentials (the things you can't go without) and then go down the list:

1)  Prescription medicines, Vitamin supplements

Check your refills.  Pack the vitamins that you know have a positive effect on you rather than every bottle you own.  So if B supplements you get the most benefit, be sure they are packed.  Then C, digestive supplements, etc.

2)  Hair products

Comb, brush, hair styling creams or gels.  Your favorite shampoo and conditioner if need be.

3)  Toiletries

Consider the length of stay (3 to 5 days).  You may only need to pack trial sizes.  Toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash.  Women's products (sanitary napkins, douche, pantyliner's, and body hygiene products).  Men's products (shaving supplies, aftershave, body wash, lotion...) Add tweezers, nail clippers, and a first aid kit.  Anything else like packing your own toilet paper or towels and you will have more items than you need and most likely will forget them when it is time to go.  However, if you plan on taking a swim at the hotel, you might want to bring your beach towel along with fun water items.

4)  Clothing

Pay attention to the weather and be sure you pack the kind of items that will make you feel comfortable.  When selecting clothes, pick out the items that you can pair with other things this way you don't need to carry so many.  For instance, a three night stay with possible rain showers and a drop in temperature, bring a light jacket.  Carry items such as:  a short sleeve shirt, a long sleeve shirt, a dress shirt, jeans, casual or dress pants.  Women might bring along similar items including a short skirt, long skirt, or after 5 pm dress.  Don't forget your belt!

5)  Underwear and Sleepwear

T-shirts, panties, bras, briefs, and lounge wear or pjs.  Depending on the occasion, men and women might include sexy apparel.  Women who have certain clothing that require additional undergarments like a stockings, slip or other items to flatter the body include those in your luggage.

6)  Shoes

If you plan on doing some sight-seeing or shopping, bring your comfortable shoes.  Going to a nice restaurant or other special location, bring dress shoes.  Plan on working out?  Don't forget your sneakers and your workout clothes!  Don't like walking on the hotel floor, bring your slippers!  For the shower, water proof sandals.

Additional items might include: printed directions (don't rely on GPS only), tickets to event and/or print out of reservation.  For downtime, reading materials and reading glasses, laptop, camera, work phone, etc.  Electronic chargers, batteries, and instruction manual.

7)  Accessories

What things might you want to add to your wardrobe?  Sometimes there is jewelry, smaller handbags, a special belt, or some other thing that compliments your attire, you won't want to forget it.

8)  Cash and Credit Cards

Things come up and you don't want to be stuck penniless.  So be sure you have cash to tip, extra credit cards just in case you max out, and anything that you might be able to pawn just in case a money emergency should arise.

9)  Kid's stuff

If you are traveling with children, don't forget to bring items that will keep them busy.  Those moments in the hotel can feel quite long when there is nothing for them to do.

10) Important Documents, Relics, Gifts

From phone numbers to contracts, sometimes people leave behind valuable items that were meant to be shared with those they are visiting.  Don't let it happen to you.  Be sure those things are packed in your bags the night before or days in advance such as:  memory cards of family events, photo albums, contracts, computer files, etc.  it is very easy to be so focused on packing your items, you forget what you were supposed to bring with you to give to someone else.

Have a safe trip!

Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet?

10 Top Container Store Items

30 Simple Ways To Organize and Declutter Your Kitchen

Organizing Items on a Flat Surface

Sometimes we just don't have the bins, bags, boxes, and shelving to store all of our stuff.  So when this happens, we just might have a spare table to display items.  Use your flat surface wisely taking up as much space as you can and whatever small items you can store in a jar, can, dish or some other small container do it.  This way you are leaving room for other things to be placed on the table.

Sort items based on likeness.  Place items in spaces near you if you plan to use more often.  If you were selling wares at a yard sale, you would have items easily assessable to customers and your more popular items would be within reach.
 

 

 

Check out http://thingstodobored.blogspot.com for a bit of creative inspiration.

Use this for collectibles or display at a fair or other special events.

 

 

 

 Novel Box Large Glass Top Black Leatherette Metal Clasp Jewelry Display Case 14.75X8.25X2.1"

 

 

 

Also, you can stack items using a cabinet shelf and place them underneath freeing up more space.

Organized Living Large Double Cabinet Shelf - White

 

 

Jewelry, beads, small office supplies, cosmetics and more can be stored in something like this.

Maymom Small Plastic Box with Hinged Lid

 

 

 

Take advantage of the space underneath the table.  Use items you already have to store remaining stuff.  A luggage bag, a plastic bin, a backpack, purses, even a large decorative blanket, cloth, 

sheet or fabric can be used to hideaway things until you have money to invest in furniture and more organizers.  Search for how to table skirt to add a bit of décor to your ambience!  Happy organizing!

 

Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet?

 

The Risks of Buying Homes by the Water

There are many benefits of buying and owning property by a river, lake, or the sea. However, there are also many risks to consider. Before you go ahead and get yourself an awesome new waterfront property, you should take the time to evaluate the risk vs. reward and figure out if the purchase is a genuinely wise decision for you. Oceanfronthhi.com recommends that you check out the common risks listed below and determine if this is the right fit.

Your Taxes Might be Higher

When you buy a home or property located near a body of water, you’re investing in a place with gorgeous views. It is a place for you to escape to from busy life in the city. Who doesn’t want to be able to wake up on a summer morning and go for a swim right outside their door? The problem here is that most tax analysts and assessment specialists keep raising the value of waterfront homes. After a few years of ownership, there is a chance that your next evaluation will be so high you just sell your home to get rid of the drain on your resources.

This rise in the assessment can be even higher if the general neighborhood is also becoming more popular, or if you have built more structures on the property like a boathouse or pool. With possible increases in assessment values of about 50% a year, you stand to lose a lot of money in the long run unless you fight the assessment. While many people say that this is just one of the costs of living in a gorgeous home like this, it is something to think long and hard about.

The Danger of Water Damage

Most waterfront properties are located near lakes and rivers. Depending on the terrain and the climate, there is a another threat presenting itself to you. There is a high chance that you will face severe flooding at least once during your ownership period. Since flood damage isn't a clause in most home insurance policies today, you may have to pay out of your own pocket to repair the damages caused by the flooding. If you live in an area with a history of floods, it is best to get this damage covered by your insurance when you buy the home, just in case.

Some people buy waterfront properties in areas where there have never been floods in the past. This doesn’t mean that water damage won’t be a problem. Water from the nearby lake can seep through the ground and to your foundations over time. In the course of a few years, there could be significant damage caused to the foundations and structures of your home. Before you buy a property, make sure you have a damage expert analyze the foundations to determine their integrity.

While it is true that homes by the water are exquisite properties with a lot of potential for a family home, they aren't without their own set of risks. Be sure that you are okay with all of these and more before purchasing your home.