Happy New Year to all of you and I wish you a wonderful and blessed 2004.

I spent 3 days in Dallas in December at the CLASS (Christian Leaders, Authors & Speaker Services) Personality Training. It was a wonderful experience. This picture is of myself with Marita and Florence Littauer. They are two wonderful Christian authors and speakers and I learned so much from both of them. I am now a Certified Personality Trainer and look forward to speaking on how understanding your personality can change your life and everyone around you. Please let me know if you'd like me to present this to your group or organization.

Why not make 2004 the year you really and finally get organized?! If this is something that you've been wanting to do and it's been hanging over your head, now is the time to do something about it. You won't believe what a great feeling it is to get rid of what you don't need and give to others who can really use your stuff. What a great feeling to be able to find what you need quickly. And what a great feeling to have a sense of peace in your home and/or office.

Too big a job to do by yourself? Enlist the help of an organized friend or a professional organizer. You'll love getting organized...I guarantee it!

January is a great time to:
* Begin an exercise program.
* Re-evaluate your budget and savings plaln.
* Organize your tax receipts.
* Have car's fluid levels (anti/freeze, brake and oil) checked.
* Great time to buy appliances, holiday clothing and decorations for next Christmas.

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It's great to be organized!

Do you find yourself making piles because you can't make a decision of when to do the next action required? Do you forget events because you can't find the invitation? Would you like a system of knowing exactly what you need to get done each day? When you open the mail do you just make stacks of paper because you don't know what to do with it? I offer a wonderful alternative to the stacks and piles! Use this tickler file system and never forget to do anything again. I include instructions on how to use permanent action file folders (ex: To read, to pay, discuss, call, etc.) along with the tickler file system. Learn how to customize your own system using this hard-to-find product.

Tickler File

*The next time you order checks have only your inititals (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your check book they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

*Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. Never have your Social Security number on your checks - you can always write it on if necessary.

*Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.

*If your wallet is stolen you need to cancel your credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily. (Use the Credit Card and Bank Account Checklist from the FREE Household Forms Kit.)

*File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there is one).

*Most importantly, call the three national credit reporting organizations imediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.

*The numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line):
1-800-269-0271

Identity Theft and Fraud Articles

As I help clients go through all the paper and file I'm often asked - "How long should I keep cancelled checks, bank statements, receipts, etc.?" Since I'm not an accountant I was hesitant to answer until I found this article by Ramona Creel of www.onlineorganizing.com. You can click on the link below or go to www.onlineorganizing.com/client_article_reducing_piles.htm.

She outlines types of records and retention periods. Please keep in mind these are general guidelines and may change according to your business and investment concerns.

Reducing the Piles

• Pursuing Your Priorities, Purpose, and Path
  MOPS - Brookings, SD
  February 4
  
  
• Take Control of Your Time, Tasks, and To-Do's
  American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
  Couple's Dinner
  February 19
  
  
• Take Control of Your Time, Tasks, and To-Do's
  Tastefully Simple Consultant's Meeting
  Kuehn Community Center, Sioux Falls, SD
  February 21
  
  
• Organizational Skills for the Business Professional
  New Horizons Learning Center, Sioux Falls, SD
  This is an all-day class - please contact me for more information
  March 4
  
  
• Personality Puzzle
  MOPS - 1st Baptist, Sioux Falls, SD
  March 5
  
  
• Conquer the Chaos of Clutter
  US Custom Harvestors
  Ramkota Hotel, Sioux Falls, SD
  March 5
  
  
• Conquer the Chaos of Clutter
  Adult Community Education, Sioux Falls, SD
  Register at www.sf.k12.sd.us/commed
  March 11
  
  
• Conquer the Chaos of Clutter
  MOPS - Spencer, IA
  March 18
  
  
• Are You Suffering from Recipe Stress?
  Adult Community Education - Sioux Falls, SD
  Register at www.sf.k12.sd.us/commed
  March 23
  
  
• Conquer the Chaos of Clutter
  Adult Eommunity Education, St. James, MN
  March 29

Workshops

If you're having trouble managing your desk, you're not alone!
Research shows the average person:

*Wastes 150 hours/year looking for misplaced information

*Has 37 hours of unfinished work on his/her desk at any one time

*Uses less than 20% of what they keep

With the Paper Tiger software you can find anything you file or
store in 5 seconds or less. This software is a great tool to finally
give you a filing system that works for you. Also works well for
organizing videos, books, collections, etc. It is designed to help
you be more effective.

The software is easy to learn and easy to use. The product can be
learned in less than one hour. The Paper Tiger is a complete kit
including the software, multimedia tutorial, pre-printed labels and
Online User's Guide - everything you need to solve your paper
problems once and for all!

Call or email me today and start fresh in the New Year with a clean desk and more importantly - an uncluttered mind! You really can know where everything is!