http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogList.asp?sort=organizer&schedule=51 If you have the urge to splurge way too often or haven't reconciled your bank accounts in a long time, then your money is misbehaving and you are feeling the effects of your misguided, mismanaged money. One of the major four building blocks of becoming organized is taking care of what is taking care of you…your money (getting financially organized). Because we all know even the most expensive band-aid can't fix money problems! I am going to give you three "first-aid" money tips to start now which if put into practice will help you and your money get back into a good standing relationship again; because if your money ain't happy, ain't you or anyone else in your family happy! Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:45:24 EST en-us http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2749 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2749 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST You're making your list and checking it twice and can't figure out what to buy that one that's not so nice. A gift card will make a great gift and give that picky one a lift. Was that gift the right choice? Let me lend you my opinion and voice. Ok, that was just a fun introductory for one of those gifts that are so easy to buy and give and are usually readily received. However, after watching a video on my bank's website it made me wonder. The woman speaking talked ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2633 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2633 Wed, 7 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST It's good to be back! I've taken some time off for the summer and back-to-school time was hectic, but I'm ready to bring you some good advice to help you with your finances once again. Please feel free to give me some feedback if you'd like. Or any suggestions with what you would like some advice on. With the economy the way it is many of you are dealing with many different aspects in your finances. No matter where you are, I will try to give you some practical advice to ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2480 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2480 Wed, 5 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST It may be hard times out there but there are so many things that you can do to beat the odds. I, for instance, am a military wife living in a civilian area, not on a base. There are many of us that need help while our husbands are going to be deployed or while they are getting ready to deploy. There are so many others out there that are needing some help too that if you put your name out there to help people with yard work, sewing, house cleaning, child care, meal preparation, etc. you might ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2362 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2362 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:30:00 EST The auto industry has been in the news on a daily basis recently. Car manufacturers going through crisis they haven't faced before. It made it much more interesting in buying our vehicle just a few weeks ago. Yes, we are one of those consumers that were in the market for a vehicle and had to sift through the car "muck" going on to make a wise decision. Here's some tips on buying or keeping a vehicle in this economy right now. So here is how my husband and I have approached ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2269 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2269 Wed, 8 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST Yesterday a friend called me, one who I have advised regarding her and her husband's finances over the past few years, hoping I would have some answers for her in regards to the points she earned on her check card. So we discussed the matter and came to some conclusions that I would like to share with you in case you might have some of the same questions. If you have a check card that you can earn points or cash from, here are some suggestions and hints to maximize the benefits. ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2222 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2222 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST We've all heard the term "living IN a bubble." However, the financial status we as a nation are in is quite conclusive that most have been living ON a bubble. Let me explain. If you are living in a bubble you are protecting your finances and making sure you are doing everything you can to foresee the future…lately it has been quite fuzzy to see what the future holds…or is it? What if the same rules could apply whether the economy is good or bad? That is the difference I'm going to ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2205 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2205 Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST I have concluded my eight week experiment, however it has felt more like an adventure instead, of using my credit card instead of my cash envelopes. I have written many points on how using cash is so beneficial and helps you stick to a budget better. I got curious and wanted to change things up a bit in the beginning of January so I decided I would try using my credit card instead of taking cash out for my everyday expenses like groceries, gas, household items, clothing, dining, etc. What if ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2118 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2118 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST We all are at a loss for what will happen in the New Year for the financial outlook. I don't think even the savviest could have predicted all the events of 2008. Questions on people's minds are many. Is gas going to stay down or go up? Are my investments safe or are they going to take even more losses? How many more local merchants are going to have to close their doors before this is all over? I know some of my favorite coffee shops closed and some of my favorite shops downtown ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2108 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2108 Wed, 7 Jan 2009 11:30:00 EST My theme that I am trying to live up to this year is "Simplify" which I am using to save money as well. I have two children, 5 and 1, they are about to have birthdays this month. After just organizing toys from Christmas I am not looking forward to more stuff. So I concluded on being a tornado of simplifying around my house after Christmas and am doing something almost everyday that will simplify some place in the house. I am realizing, like my clients realize, the more you simplify the more ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2052 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2052 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST This one is for you Dee. Dee asked me to write a blog about making food stretch which helps save money. If your family is like mine we are not too keen on leftovers. However, whether my husband or I think of it we usually come up with some good ideas to make the leftovers seem new again. So here's some quick ideas for some of those items that you'd throw or stick in the freezer until you throw it out. Please remember I am no Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker so these are simple ideas ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2024 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2024 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST Last year was my first year shopping Black Friday, but I like to learn quickly the do's and don'ts. These are the tips I use and share with others wanting the thrill of the shopping frenzy that will help you get what you want for that great price…hopefully. Rule #1: Plan Your Strategy Get the thick newspaper with all the ads on Thanksgiving Day which will be overflowing with the great deals all the stores want to suck you in with, which works by the way, and the times the ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2014 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=2014 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST Trying to stay on budget during the hectic holidays? I'm there with you. I want to go and spend at every Bazaar and sale. If you've read my blog I have already gotten some pretty serious shopping done already but now its starting to get down to crunch time. Here are some items that should be on your holiday list for your wish list or to do list. Quicken to keep track of your finances for the coming year. The best time to start an easy money management program like this ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1980 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1980 Wed, 5 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST There are so many good things you can do with your money, but what about the wrong things. Sometimes the most simplistic rules can make your financial life flourish. If you are doing one or all of these, start by changing one at a time. Financial management is not like a quick shopping trip for an outfit, it takes time, patience and stick-to-itiveness. One thing my husband and I always want to see is others succeed, especially in the area of finances. Money seems to show the best or worst ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1967 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1967 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST This past Monday I filmed for the first of four kitchen makeovers for our Greenville, South Carolina Fox Network Kitchen Makeover Contest. Viewers are sending in pictures of their worst cabinet or place in their kitchen to Fox Carolina in hopes of winning a SYSTEMIZE makeover, as you probably figured out SYSTEMIZE is my business baby of almost twelve years. It will be airing this Thursday on the 10 o'clock news in case you live in this area. There will be three more, one airing each week ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1948 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1948 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST Coupons can be great at saving money, but messy to keep around. Here is how I organize my coupons and tell my clients to as well so you will be able to find them when you need them because that's the whole point, right? I'm not just talking about grocery coupons, there are lots of coupon organizers for those or some easy categories, but I am talking about the coupons for dining, clothes shopping, gifts, home stuff. The coupons you put in a pile because you want to use them but so ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1929 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1929 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST I know the economy is not doing great right now, but believe me it is time to take advantage of the promotions out there! I am all about saving money! I have been having a great time finding good buys. I have all the kids that I shop for including my own children done for Christmas. I am looking at the weekly ads much more closely lately. This economic crunch time has really helped me be so much more resourceful! Like I mentioned last week I have even been using coupons again at the ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1918 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1918 Wed, 8 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST Money is a huge subject right now. Everyone is feeling the effects of the roller coaster financial market from everyday living to looking down the road at their future. I get so frustrated buying groceries and knowing I'm getting less and less and paying more and more. Gas is the same way, having to worry about gas stations still having gas left when I need a fill up is something I've never had to deal with before and I remember just five to ten years ago gas was under a dollar for a ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1903 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1903 Wed, 1 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST Just yesterday I was at the gas station and thankful that there was gas there. There was only one pump open on each side of each gas island. Guess what happened before I even left the gas station, some people were not able to fill up because they ran out of gas in all the pumps. It just amazes me what is happening lately. The last few weeks I have been giving you a 90 financial plan for the holiday season. After the current happenings of the rollercoaster money markets it is a must ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1884 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1884 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST Remember December is this week's blog. We've gone over what to do to prepare for September, October, November and all the holidays during this season except for December so far. To give you an update on what I have done myself since I've written my last blog, my family went to an orchard and picked apples. It was wonderful for our family to spend time together. I also made some plans for some great autumn dinners just for the fun of it to help keep the costs down with dining out. ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1867 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1867 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST Yes, I am still working on my list of things to do for September and October that I gave you last week. I am proud to say I already bought my first bag of Rees's PB cups for October, now it's just keeping my husband away from them. Also, I bought some Caramel Bits that are just little pieces of caramel that is faster and easier for making caramel apples. Both these items were on sale and I thought I might as well start picking some of it up because I will need it sooner than later. ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1845 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1845 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST Some of us have been so caught up in the end of summer and getting kids back in school or getting back into a routine that we forget that one of the busiest seasons, not to mention most expensive times, of the year is at the threshold and just about to knock at our door. Being the financial manager in my home I have to think of all the extra expenses that will going on in the next ninety days, Christmas is coming faster than we think. So as I am thinking about all the things I need to plan ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1794 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1794 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:30:00 EST Gas prices have dropped some, groceries not so much. Going out to eat is still expensive when you roll everything in the expenses category. Back to school expenses are adding up and paying interest on anything is too costly these days especially if you want to put a vacation on the credit card (which I don't suggest anyway). So what do you do for a fun long weekend without feeling the labor of the expenses? Well, the answer might not be the fanciest ones but it will give some ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1610 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1610 Wed, 28 May 2008 11:30:00 EST I was watching the nightly news last night and another news program about SUV's and cars. We bought our Nissan Maxima in February of 2000 new off the lot. We bought my husband's Nissan Frontier new off the lot in 1999. We agreed that if we bought brand new vehicles we would keep them ten years. We are coming through on our promise. I can think of the time back then when gas was MUCH cheaper and the trend for buying SUV's was just starting to pick up. We had considered ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1404 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1404 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST Not many individuals look forward to tax season and getting their taxes done unless they know they are going to be getting a tax refund. Stimulus checks are coming out on top of tax return money or even if you have to pay in taxes if you fall within a certain bracket. So how are you going to spend your money? It will be nice for some of us to be able to feel like we can loosen up the money belt a little and spend on something we might want to instead of putting our kids' future college ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1339 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1339 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST Did you start your dollar experiment last week? I am having a great time and it has been a hoot to talk about with others, if you don't know what to talk about with someone else well then do this and you'll even get to have some show and tell as well as some great conversation! My husband is enjoying it too. When you have a recipe for fun, excitement, a challenge to plan AND spending money all at the same time who wouldn't love it? Oh and doesn't cost you lots, now ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1338 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1338 Wed, 9 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST My last three blogs have been sharing with you shopping secrets to help you save some big bucks during our present dismal economy. Some of you may not be as savvy as others when it comes to finding good deals and wonder how others always find those good deals. The secrets I shared were on clothes, furniture and home decorating and last week I shared secrets on grocery shopping and dining out. I encourage you to look at these and make your shopping experiences much more fun and exciting when ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1303 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1303 Wed, 2 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST It was a very short time ago we could get eggs for less than a dollar now they are two and a half dollars! What is going on! It is very unsettling when you are trying to buy your groceries and you can only buy half to maybe three fourths what you used to for the same amount of money. Our favorite cheap restaurants have even upped the prices on their menu items. So how do you make some good meals at home and go out and enjoy yourself? Well, I may have a few suggestions…I'm not a big ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1261 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1261 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:30:00 EST Last week I gave you some tips on clothes shopping and how to look great without the big price tags. Again as money gets tighter with prices of everything on the rise, its time to get smart about how you spend your money. We all love to watch those shows on T.V. for decorating on a budget, well this week I am going to elaborate on how I have and am doing that. We have two homes and making them both nice is important, but I do not have an endless budget by any means. So here are some of my ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1242 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1242 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:30:00 EST I have to give credit to my mom for teaching me these principles about shopping. Being a single mother she had to make the dollar stretch a long ways when we were young. However, you would not know it by looking at my sister or I. We always had really nice clothes and our house always looked so nice. Just because we didn't have much money did not mean we had to look like it. She never went into debt to provide the finer things either. She just knew how to shop. Here are some of her ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1182 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1182 Wed, 5 Mar 2008 11:30:00 EST If you're a typical woman like me there is that constant wanting to buy the next item on the list of must haves. After moving this past year there are things that I would like to buy to make my home feel more complete. I am very much an all or nothing person who would love to go and buy everything I need right now and have it all done…like I really wouldn't buy anything again right?! I am a woman who does like to go shopping a little now and then. But since finances are limited and I ...