April 2009 Issue
In this months Issue:
Spring Cleaning - Get Organized Now!
Pressed4Time Money-Savings Tip
Spring Cleaning - Get Organized Now!
Spring cleaning is a ritual that dates back at least to the late nineteenth century, when homes were warmed by woodstoves, coal-burning stoves and lit by oil and kerosene lamps. Homes were so smelly and sooty by the end of winter that items needed to be washed.
Today, spring cleaning doesnt have to be done in the spring. DO what works best for you&you can do it as annual event (a day, a weekend or even a week) or you can incorporate cleaning into a monthly schedule so its spread out over the year. No matter what, be sure to enlist all family members. Even children can be assigned tasks!
Here are some cleaning chores you might want to put on your list:
Clean your clothes dryer and washing machine inside and out. Dont forget the area underneath and the exhaust duct on the dryer.
Wash any walls that have accumulated dirt, particularly in high traffic areas or in the kitchen. Be sure to check areas around light switches, cabinet doors and drawers for fingerprints.
Clean bookshelves; discard old magazines and look through books that can be donated or shared with others.
Go through financial files. Shred any papers you no longer need and put old documents you are saving in boxes that can be stored somewhere safe.
Whats under there? Move your sofa, beds and other furniture so you can vacuum underneath. Be sure to check seat cushions for lost items and spare change.
Remove heavy winter bedding like comforters and quilts and bring them to us for cleaning. Replace with lighter-weight blankets, bedspreads and other linens.
Take winter clothing out, clean all items before storage or donate items you wont wear again. Store clothing in sealed boxes or bags and be sure to label them so theyre easy to find next season.
Dont forget the outside of your home. Clean gutters and drains, removing any debris. Clean the tracks of any sliding doors and scrub mildew from decks and porches.
Clean winter boots or shoes before storage. Consider storing leather footwear in a large plastic box with a lid or a sealed trash bag.
Pressed4Time Money-Savings Tip
Hard to believe, but its tax time! Here are a few tips that should help you at this stressful time of year or help you get your paperwork in order so that next year youll be all set!
Use last years return as a guide. If you take deductions, it will help you jog your memory. Be sure to save W-2 and 1099 forms, bank statements, sales slips, mileage logs, invoices, credit card receipts, canceled checks or other proof of payment. Generally, you should keep any records that demonstrate any deductions or credits you are claiming.
If youre lucky enough to be getting a refund, file early so you can get it back as soon as possible.
Getting back a large refund? Receiving that big check may feel good initially, but youll actually be better off financially if next year you withhold less money and put it into an interest-bearing savings account. Or use the money to pay off high-interest loans.