Archives for 2011

Scheduling: Day at Home

July 18, 2011 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Michael Surtees)

Over the weekend, I participated in a conversation among friends regarding our homes. Two of the participants work to keep a clean home throughout the weekend. On Monday morning disaster may strike (within reason). 🙂

I, on the other hand, allow items to pile up on the weekends since we are out and about attending activities. When Monday arrives, I get back on track. I schedule Mondays to be a day at home to clean up the kitchen, finish the laundry, sort through the projects and items obtained over the weekend, run the vacuum cleaner, and play with my kids. For me, my house is usually picked up through the week. The weekends are filled with too many activities to deal with my house.

What about you? In which scenario do you fit?

A: My house is picked up through the weekend and a bit messy during the week.

B: My house is picked up through the week and a bit messy during the weekend.

C. My house is clean all the time.

D. Yeah, I’m lucky if my house gets picked up at all. (Hang in there!)

Home Ownership: Homeowner’s Insurance

July 17, 2011 by Tracy

As I get out my file Box 1 to gather the documents from the eighth slot, I am reminded why I chose to spend my time wisely in organizing my family’s important documents. Knowing that all the documents are in one location within easy reach and that I can locate any given policy within a one-minute time frame thrills me. Using my time wisely, over 7 years ago, was time well spent.

Reflection on a job well done is encouraging. If you are making progress, then take a step back. Admire your progress (no matter how small), and be encouraged that “Rome was not built in a day.” Little steps here and there will get you to your desired end. Just keep on track.

In keeping you on track, we are focusing on the third category, Home Ownership Documents, and have added our deed(s). The next item in this eighth file slot of my accordion-filing system is our homeowner insurance documents.

When I first set up our filing system, Paul and I were not homeowners. However, we were renting and had renter’s insurance. Those rental insurance documents were housed in this category until they were replaced for our homeowner’s insurance. Though you might not own a home (yet), you can still benefit from setting up your organizational system before you purchase your first home.

My pack of homeowner insurance documents includes the following items:

Homeowner’s Policy. Our policy is a booklet printed on thin paper.
Declarations Page. I receive this page with the notification of our annual bill.
Annual Bill. I keep the most current annual bill.
Copy of Mortgage Statement with Insurance Payment. When my mortgage company pays the homeowner’s policy (out of our escrow account), I make a copy of that mortgage statement and keep it with the bill. If the payment is ever in question, I will have the proof with my policy.
Notices of Changes to our Policy. At the time of renewal, our annual statement may include Notices of Change. As I review these documents, I will keep any Notice of Change forms and add them to this section of my file.
Privacy Policy. Each year our insurance company sends an updated privacy policy. I keep the current policy with our insurance documents.

These six items are placed in the listed order and attached with a paper clip. I then have these items filed behind the deed paperwork. The next two items in Suze Orman’s checklist are co-ownership property agreement (which I do not have) and fire insurance. I will not include a separate post for fire insurance. Our homeowner’s insurance covers any damage due to fire or lightning. If your state requires additional insurance for fire and you have fire insurance, then you can add those documents in this file.

Next week as we continue this category of home ownership, I will share an additional set of documents I have added to this category. In theory these documents could be added to another category, but I find the paperwork quicker when filed in this category. Come back next week where I will fill you in. In the meantime, happy organizing!

Question: What additional documents do you include with your home insurance documents?

Upcoming Tax-Free Days

July 16, 2011 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: MorgueFile (Jane M. Sawyer)

Are you in the market for new clothes, school supplies, computer software, or a computer (iPad, Tablet, laptop, etc.)? Are you searching the sales each week looking for that “incredible deal?” If so, then check to see when your state will offer tax-free days.

If you already live in a state without sales tax, then checking these dates will not help you in stretching your dollars. Sorry. (Think of all the money you save, from not paying sales tax, each time you shop. :-))

With back-to-school season beginning, the sales on clothing, school supplies, and electronics are gearing up. As you get your lists ready, be sure to check out Chrissy’s list of tax-free days. A fantastic way of stretching your dollars is by combining your state’s tax-free days with a great sale.

If you cannot find what you need on those tax-free days, never fear, Black Friday and Cyber Monday will be here before you know it. Just be patient and wait for that awesome deal that will meet your needs. Happy savings!