Mention the word “finances” and most adults will cringe; mention “finances” and “organize” in the same sentence and you might reduce a grown man to tears or start a grown woman hyperventilating. These two words are a potent combination of thought and action as they induce feelings of hopelessness and terror. However, it need not be so frightening if you use these 10 tips designed to help you keep your finances together neatly and easily.

Get With the Program

Undoubtedly, a few readers read that first paragraph and smugly tossed their heads, thinking “I’m not scared. I have this,” and patted their box of software (Quicken, Quick Books or others) used for keeping finances in order. Yes, but if you are like the 99.9999% of the people in the United States, you did not start out using such programs as soon as you turned 18 so fear, while a distant, dimly-remembered bitter tang at the back of the throat, was more than likely felt at some point where finances were concerned. Happily, you found the right solution: software is the easiest, most effective and efficient way to organize and keep track of finances. This kind of immense boon assists both in keeping a budget and makes tax time so much easier, as everything you will need is right at your fingertips. Accounting programs even allow for bill paying reminders and computer software helps eliminate paper waste, too.

Pay Bills From Home

Pay your bills online. Many banks, utilities and other companies have accounts with will allow for free bill paying on line. You can even set up accounts to pay automatically every month so you never need worry about missing a payment. You can go green and not have paper bills sent to your home anymore, too.

Law of Order

Organizing systems are very important as well, as it definitely helps in time management to have things neatly labeled and filed away in a kind of order. Even small office desks usually come equipped with file drawers where all you need to do is provide the folders. If this storage is not built-in to your desk, separate pieces can also be bought. Well-kept files and important papers, like receipts, are also very helpful for tax time.

Know on the Go

To help reach and maintain a budget which you have created on your accounting software, make and take a list with you when grocery shopping, buying only what is on that list. If you have ever gone food shopping when you have a rumble in your belly, you know just how much extra it’s easy to spend. Eat a snack before you go and take a list, staying faithful to it.

Cut it Out

We often get lazy in our reoccurring payments, allowing monthly charges to add up when we know longer use a service. Those useless services need to be canceled and that money used elsewhere, like on tax prep software.

Know What is Important

Assess the items of value in your home and place them in a safety deposit box, if applicable, including passports and deeds. In case of catastrophe like fire or flood, your most valuable possessions will be kept intact.

Clear the Chaos

If you are looking to buy some replacement items for older versions of things such as lamps, get rid of the old ones first. Selling them is ideal as it will give you that much more to put towards your new item, but mostly it’s great for clearing clutter and amassing too many useless items. Craigslist and eBay are great places to sell your older possessions, or use a yard sale or charity sale.

Practical Identity Protection

Shredders are a great invention, and just about every household should have one. They help reduce paper waste and clutter and keep your identities safe.

Trim the Fat

If you have any redundant or unused accounts, close them. Especially if it is carrying an annual or membership fee, get rid of it. That is extra money to be budgeted elsewhere, like on a subscription to a credit-checking program.

Check the Report

Your credit report is actually important and reviewing it regularly is a good idea. Keep an eye on what is being reported with the big three reporting agencies, because it is quite possible you can be listed as having lived in a state in which you have never set foot or owned a house and gone into foreclosure or something equally damaging.

Keeping your finances in order will help bring a sense of simplicity to your life and extra money to your wallet, two things we all need more of in this busy day and age.

Lloyd Burrell has a website specializing in office desk furniture reviews. These days “office desk” has often become synonymous with “computer desk”. Lloyd has detailed reviews on many styles of computer desk; computer desks with hutch, laptop computer desks, corner computer desks in black and white and many more. He recommends buying with leading brands such as, Sauder, Bush furniture and Techni Mobili. Lloyd lives on the west coast of France with his wife and 2 children.

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