Planning for Success: Verify Paycheck Deductions – Day 26

January 26, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 26: Verify Paycheck Deductions

In last week’s Planning for Success: Post Your Payday Schedule – Day 19, I shared how I indicate “payday and tithe (charitable contribution)” on my calendar for the scheduled day of our direct deposit. When paying the bills, I verify the paycheck deductions.

Taking less than a minute to confirm that the deductions are correct, I file the paycheck and move on. Three times a year, I take a little longer to check the amounts: first paycheck enforcing new deductions, first paycheck after changes or increases, and first paycheck after start of fiscal year.

1. First paycheck enforcing new deductions

For us, we have open or annual enrollment in October. Those changes take effect on January 1. The first paycheck stub we receive in January gets extra attention to confirm accurate deductions. If a problem arises, then we make contact with the payroll department.

2. First paycheck after changes or increases

The riders on Paul’s short-term disability insurance policy and our family’s critical illness and cancer protection policy increase each year during February. When I see an increase in deductions, I take a few moments to confirm the increased amounts based on the policy schedule. If I notice a discrepancy, I contact the policy providers to address my concerns.

3. First paycheck after start of fiscal year

Since my husband’s employer’s fiscal year does not begin in January, I review the paycheck stub more closely after the start of the new fiscal year. Any changes to retirement savings or raises adjust at that time. Any questions or concerns from that information are directed to the payroll department.

In planning for success, verify paycheck deductions by monitoring them each pay period. The investment of a little time twice a month saves time when doing taxes. If all the information is correct throughout the year, then no verification of the W-2 form is needed at tax time.

A few years ago, an employee did not look at her paycheck sub all year as her check was directly deposited into her bank account. At tax time, she panicked at the realization that none of her taxes had been paid the previous year. Had she verified her paycheck stub at least at the start of the year, she could have caught the error without backtracking.

After verifying Paul’s paycheck stub, I check off the payday notation in my calendar. Using this system reminds me to verify the information and check the deductions carefully preventing unnecessary problems later. Keep scheduling your paydays (as much as you can) while preparing for success and using time wisely. Happy verifying!

Question: How often do you verify paycheck stub deductions?

Planning for Success: Document Family Holidays – Day 25

January 25, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

Day 25: Document Family Holidays

Our family loves holidays. If no holidays are on the horizon, we have been known to make up our own. For example, we are hoping for a snow day tomorrow. In celebration of the possibility, our family did a snow dance at bedtime tonight. We wore our pajamas inside out and started on our left foot. Besides all the laughter and silliness, we made a memory while exerting the last remnants of energy before going to bed.

Though I will not schedule possible snow days, as we know not what tomorrow will bring, I will document family holidays. With the social media explosion, I love the weekly e-mail from Facebook informing me of my friends’ and family’s birthdays.

With the reminder, I can post or message birthday wishes, but not all of my family members use Facebook. To verify that I don’t forget someone, I document the following types of family holidays in my calendar:

Family Holidays

Anniversaries

Birthdays

Deaths

Remembering both the ups and downs of life keeps our family close. Though the anniversaries and birthdays are preferred, I know the notes of remembrance on or near the home going of a loved one are treasures to hold.

In planning for success in 2013, document your family’s holidays both the ups and the downs. A simple e-mail, card, call, or visit on those special days encourages your relative and brings your family closer. In using time wisely, you cannot afford forgetting your family. Happy documenting!

Question: Where do you record all the dates of your family’s holidays?

Planning for Success: Design a Quick Meals List – Day 24

January 24, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

Day 24: Design a Quick Meals List

Last week, I shared how our family keeps a Top 20 List of our favorite meals. Though we eat other meals as well, I do try to serve food my family enjoys, so our list assists me in preparing our weekly menu plan.

Another great resource is a list of quick meals for those busy days. In our home, my son has already started spring soccer. His league practices often during the week, so I seize quick meals for those busy nights.

15 Quick Meals for Busy Nights

Breakfast for Dinner

1. Eggs and sausage

2. Waffles and fruit

Freezer Meals

These meals were made in a double batch one time but served twice or more. 🙂

3. Broccoli and cheese soup with sourdough bread

4. Chili and corn bread/muffins

5. Mexican Dip, tortilla chips, and vegetables

Pre-made Dinners

6. Bruschetta chicken on crusted bread – purchased from Sam’s Club in the appetizer section, served with cheeses, crackers, and fresh vegetables.

7. Pizza and salad

8. Stouffer’s entrees and vegetables

Sandwiches

9. Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwiches with fresh vegetables

10. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup

Stove Top Meals

11. Hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and vegetables

12. Quesadillas and vegetables

13. Spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread

14. Tacos – soft, hard, and salad

15. Tortellini and Alfredo sauce with vegetables

In planning for success on busy nights, keep a quick meals list handy and supplies in stock. Though I consult my calendar before scheduling our weekly menu plan, some days turn out busier than others. Having a backup plan prevents panic, stress, and confusion at dinner time.

Feeding our families seems to take so much time among menu planning, cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Having a quick list gives us more options when we don’t feel like making a meal. In using time wisely, taking time to write and post quick meal options saves money, energy, and time.

Question: What are quick meals your family enjoys?

Planning for Success: Enter Drugstore Rewards – Day 23

January 23, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

Day 23: Enter Reward Deadlines

If you shop the sales and promotions at the drugstores, then you are probably earning rewards. Though each program is different, each drugstore offers rewards in the form of coupons for your next transaction or next visit.

By entering the expiration dates of the reward into my calendar, I can remember to use the rewards before they expire to save my family money. Rewards entered are CVS Extra Bucks, Walgreens Register Rewards and Balance Rewards, and Rite Aid +Up! Rewards.

CVS Extra Bucks

During weekly promotions, you can earn Extra Bucks coupons for dollars off your next transaction. The deals are listed in the store circular stating any restrictions.

Last week, I purchased 6 bottles of Suave body wash at $2 each with the “spend $12, get $4 in Extra Bucks” promotion. I used 3 manufacturer’s coupons for $1 off a purchase of 2 Suave products as well as a $6 Extra Bucks coupon from a previous visit. My total came to $3.18, and I received a $4 Extra Buck coupon on the bottom of my receipt.

For my second transaction, I purchased 3 packages of Huggies diapers and 2 bottles of Dawn detergent. I used the following manufacturer coupons: 2 – $2 off Huggies diapers, 1 – $1.50 off Huggies diapers, and 2 – $.25 off Dawn detergent.

Combining the coupons with the “spend $30, get a $10 CVS gift card” promotion, the $4 Extra Bucks received from transaction #1, and $10 Extra Bucks earned from a previous visit that was soon expiring, I spent $11.15 and received a $10 CVS gift card. Having used all my Extra Bucks, I had none due to expire.

By far, CVS has been my favorite drugstore. I started learning the drugstore game with CVS, and find little to no problems with their promotions at the register. If the store is out of the item, then no worries, the employee will give you a rain check for the item(s) with the promotion attached.

Walgreens Register Rewards and Balance Rewards

Walgreens has a number of programs going at the same time, including rebates. Their system is more complicated than CVS, but you can snag some great deals when you combine the savings strategies. The Register Rewards print at the register to use on another transaction. You must follow the promotion exactly to get the reward to print.

Balance Rewards are fairly new. You can earn points and then redeem those points for cash off at the register. Combining the rewards gets tricky. For a better understanding of Walgreens rewards, I recommend The Krazy Coupon Lady’s post, Walgreens: How to Roll Balance Rewards Points.

Rite Aid +Up! Rewards

I miss Rite Aid. With their monthly video rewards, I used to watch their videos (short commercials for products) and print high value store coupons that could be paired with manufacturer coupons for deep discounts. I would then wait for sales or promotions with Up! Rewards to get merchandise dirt cheap.

Since Rite Aid has made some changes to their program and I am out of the loop, keep current with Fabulessly Frugal, and Mel’s thorough explanations. I found Rite Aid’s program worth my time and energy.

Working hard to save money and earn the rewards, you don’t want to lose those savings by missing the expiration date. Enter reward deadlines on your calendar to remind yourself to use them.

In using time wisely, take the few moments to jot down the dates to help you save money, energy, time, and frustration. Keep planning for success, and happy savings!

Question: Which drugstores are your favorites?

Planning for Success: Choose Event Dates – Day 22

January 22, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

Day 22: Choose Event Dates

Not sure how it happens, but birthdays sneak up on me. I know when my children’s birthdays are, but it seems like that distant birthday increases speed and arrives early. Though each birthday party has gone well, I would like to plan better this year.

With out-of-town relatives, I need to give advanced notice for their availability and travel arrangements. For the sake of my sanity and locking in the dates for key participants, I am working to add the following events to our 2013 calendar:

1. Child 1’s birthday party (To Be Determined – TBD)

2. Child 2’s birthday party (Hello Kitty)

3. Child 3’s birthday party (Mickey Mouse)

4. Family vacation

5. Fall Festival

6. Halloween Party

7. History Fair

8. Hubby’s birthday celebration

9. Science Fair

Though I won’t confirm these dates until contacting others, I will have a tentative date and a reminder to start planning. Just thinking about these events now, gets the ideas flowing for future planning. I also can keep a lookout for inexpensive party supplies which saves money, energy, and time.

In planning for success, ponder the events you will host this year and choose event dates. With the reminder in your calendar, your next birthday celebration shouldn’t sneak up on you so quickly.

Keep scheduling important items on your calendar. As you get organized, you can follow your calendar to a successful 2013 while using time wisely. Happy choosing!

Question: What events are you planning for 2013?

« Previous Page