Get Ready to Shred
If you’ve just filed your taxes, chances are while preparing your documents you also found piles and of papers you don’t need to save. You probably thought you had it under control. You own a shredder, so it should be easy, right?
Wrong. Many of us find ourselves too busy to sit down weekly and shred those statements and papers with personal information to keep our desks and counter tops clean. So the papers that should be shredded pile up week to week, in some cases month to month to the point where we can’t even see the top of our desks or counters anymore.
The great news is we don’t have to stare at those piles much longer. Gather up those documents and head out to the Tampa Bay Professional Organizers‘ Shred-a-Thon May 7, 2011 at the corner of Dale Mabry Highway and Fletcher Avenue from 9 a.m. to noon– or when the professional shredding truck is full. There is a $10 donation for each box. All shredding is being donated and the money received is going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay.
We at OH MISS are proud members of the National Association of Professional Organizers and the local Tampa Bay Professional Organizers. We support the Shred-a-Thon by volunteering our services. On a daily basis, OH MISS helps people get organized when they feel overwhelmed by all the clutter around them.
An uncluttered space can lead to an uncluttered mind, allowing you to become clearer in your thinking and in turn reducing stress. If you need help with the paper overflow, call OH Miss at 813-636-9700 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 813-636-9700 end_of_the_skype_highlighting to make an appointment.
Happy Spring!
Spring is in the air and if you live in Florida and or most of the United States, your allergies have already informed you of the season. This year was almost a perfect storm in Florida where we had much colder weather for a lot longer than even close to normal and it appears that all of our pollen laden plants and trees are blooming at once! Yikes. As one who suffers this malady, the only advice I can give is to see your Dr if you have severe symptoms. If you are just on the slightly miserable side, make sure to keep the windows and doors closed. I am hearing screaming now as that is what you want to do. So do I. I love getting fresh air in the house after being shuttered all winter, but that just brings more of the pollen in and ads to our symptoms. Wash the linens frequently, wash yourself and your hair before going to bed and be extra careful about exercising early in the morning or late at night when the pollen in the air can be at its worst.
Not all is bad news, the birds are chirping in the trees, the bird feeders are out and filled. It is such a joy to see all of the different ones as they migrate from the South to our Northern states at this time of year. Some will be staying longer and having families, so be on the lookout as the new chicks start to learn how to fly. We have our pair of ducks that have been making their annual pilgrimmage for the last 10 years at least. You might ask how can we tell that it is the same couple? We can because the female has a malformed left foot so she hobbles as she waddles around. It does not impact her with her swimming or flying that we can tell.
Another wonderful thing is that the butterfly garden is coming in to full bloom. I love to watch as the different butterflies flutter about sipping the nectar and laying their eggs. Soon we will have baby catepillars chopping away at the variety of host plants that we have in our garden. Sometimes it seems like we can’t keep up with their appetites. Once the catepillars have matured, they will start migrating to a place to build their cocoon. Some cocoons are so beautiful, it is a joy to watch. Then in about 10 days to two weeks a new butterfly will emerge and the cycle will begin once again.
This leads me to a butterfly blog that I want to share with you. The address is http://lepcurious.blogspot.com. It is a blog about one of Tampa’s treasures, the Museum of Science and Industry or MOSI. They have their own butterfly garden for everyone to see, just in case they don’t have the space, time or energy to have one at their home. I have to be honest, it is addictive. This is my third year of being a butterfly gardener. They become just like children that you want to protect. Click on their blog and enjoy.
April Shred-a-thon
Last week I mentioned that I would let you know what papers are needed and for how long when it comes to your tax returns.
For items concerning your income you will need these basic records: Form W-2,Form 1099,Bank Statements, Brokerage Statements, Form K-1.
For items concerning expenses : sales slips, invoices,receipts, canceled checks or other proof of payment,written communications from qualified charities.
For items concerning your home: Closing statements, purchase and sales invoices,proof of payment,insurance records, receipts for improvement costs
For investments:brokerage statements, mutual fund statements, Form 1099, Form 2439
Now how long do you have to keep these records: Guidelines to follow
If you owe additional tax then the period is 3 years
If you do not report income that you should and it is more than 25% of the gross income shown on your return the period is 6 years.
If you file a fraudulent return , it is indefinite
If you do not file a return, it is indefinite
If you file for a credit or refund after you have filed your return, it is 3 years or 2 years after you paid taxes, whichever is later
If you file a claim for a loss from worthless securities, it is 7 years
For more information on record keeping, the IRS has put together a handy publication on record keeping for Individuals. For any other questions consult your tax professional.
Now that you have done all of that, isn’t time to get rid of some of those papers? You have kept them organized by year, I am sure. So following the guidelines above shred the papers and receipts you no longer need. The Tampa Bay Professional Organizers are having a Shred A Thon on April 10,2010 at the corner of Fletcher and Dale Mabry in Carrollwood. Pro-Shred will be on hand to professionally shred all the documents and papers you no longer need. You will also be issued a certificate of shredding for your peace of mind. The event is a fund raiser for the Children’s Cancer Center with a suggested donation of $2.00 per box of papers shredded. Pro-Shred and the TampaBay Professional Organizers are donating 100% of the donations to the Children’s Cancer Center. Come on out. You’ll be able to enjoy more of our beautiful weather and not spend time in front of your personal shredding machine.
Shred a Thon/too many papers
If you are like many families, papers seem to multiply overnight. You thought you had it under control but something went wrong. You even went out and purchased the shredder, you thought it would be so easy. Once a week just sit down and shred the statements and papers with personal information on them to keep the counter top or desk clean. In a perfect world with strict discipline and good habits, this can work. For the majority of us, life is so crazy and hectic, one week becomes one month and so on. The papers that should be shredded are piling up. We can’t see the counter or the desk top any more. We begin to suffer angst and guilt. Are we really so bad that we can’t even take care of our shredding?
The Tampa Bay Professional Organizers are having their second Shred a Thon of 2009 on November 07, at the corner of Fletcher Ave and Dale Mabry Blvd in Tampa. We will have a professional shredding company on site who will do all the shredding for you and issue you a certificate of shredding. There will be members of the group ,who are all professional organizers, volunteering Saturday to help people with their boxes of documents that need to be shredded for security reasons. There will be a limit of 10 banker’s boxes per person. The group is asking for a donation of $2.00 per box that is shredded and the funds will go to a local charity. There will be prizes for the oldest document as well as the person who comes the farthest. Our last Shred a Thon we raised $2000 that was donated to Ronald MacDonald House. The hours will be from 9 a.m. to noon. Be early was when the truck is full of shredded paper, the shred a thon is over.
We at OH MISS are proud members of the National Association of Professional Organizers.and the local Tampa Bay Professional Organizers. We support the Shred a Thon by volunteering our services. We help people everyday with organization and when they feel overwhelmed by all the clutter around them.
If you need help with the paper overflow. If you feel that life is out of control and you are overwhelmed with paper and clutter , we can help. When you have an organized space, you can be more clear in your thinking and less stressed. We at OH MISS are comitted to reducing stress in all areas of your life. Call to make an appointment 813-636-9700. If you mention the blof you will receive a 15% discount on our regular fee. Don’t let stress and stuff get you down. Call OH MISS.
August exciting news
Wow, can you believe that August is half over already? Where did the summer go? Children will soon be headed off t o school and some attending colleges have made their trek to the school of their choice. The tropics are starting to get active as we head in to the strongest part of the hurricane season. For those of you new to our area the peak of the hurricane season usually hits in September and then wanes as we get closer to December 1, the official end for the year.
Now to share some exciting news from OH MISS! Some of us we able to attend the eWomenNetwork national conference in Dallas that ended just a week ago. I must say that we have come back with great information and some fabulous contacts to assist you in whatever way we can. If you need a speaker for your organization, more shopping tips, new ideas in business and communications ,just ask. We can assist in putting you in touch with some terrific individuals. Social media is all the buzz, did we get an earful on that. Learning the do’s and don’ts. Social etiquette is not just writing thank you notes any more or as they used to say minding your p’s and q’s.
We were so lucky as we were able to meet and talk with Debbie Meyer of Green Bag fame. Be on the look out as she is not finished yet. We also had the privlege of meeting Judge Glenda Hatchett, the juvenile court judge of tv fame. If you want to meet someone passionate about the foster care system just spend 10 minutes with her and you will be on the band wagon to get involved. We met Joe Gonslaves of the Homes for Heroes organization, His charitable organization makes it possible for our seriously wounded returning vets to have homes that will accommodate their needs. These are accessible homes to keep families together. Hurray for Joe! Needless to say we are enthusiastic about the future of small business in the US and all the good that is happening that doesn’t always make the news.
Speaking of news, if you are reading this entry today August 17,2009 or tomorrow the 18th before 12:30 p.m. tune in to AM 1470 for the BayBiz program with Malcolm Out Loud. This is going to be one of the best shows in the bay area very soon. It is going to be a good news program featuring the good things that are happening in our area in the business community as well as our communities in general. Isn’t it about time we had some good news in our day? I have been privileged to be asked to join Malcolm on his radio show tomorrow as we speak to women entrepreneurs and some local charity organizations. It is going to be exciting and I look forward to sharing what I can about what it takes to succeed as a woman entrepreneur.
Come back and check us out as we are going to be announcing some news of global proportion very soon. OH MISS will not just be your little home town concierge . Stay tuned.
Give me your feedback or ask questions and I will get to them within 24 hours. We want to be there for you. What can we do to help you today?
Stress less
Today is the day after Michael Jackson’s memorial at Staples Center in Los Angeles. I had refrained from writing about all of this but yesterday some clarity came to me via one of our OH MISS associates. We were driving to a new client’s home to meet with her, discuss her needs and how to destress her life for the next few weeks and as we all do when driving started talking. Two girls, a car, 30 minute drive-get the visual? During our conversation when I said that I really could not totally understand the enormous amount of time that was being placed on MJ during regular t.v. programing,radio programing and not to forget People Magazine. My associate calmly explained to me that Michael Jackson was the Elvis of her generation. She further explained that he was global not just in the United States not just a headliner in Las Vegas or at the Apollo Theatre in London but around the world. Now did I get it? I had to say that I truly started to understand although the cynic in me has to think that the Nielsen ratings had some input as well.
Now you may be wondering where I am going with this. Stress played a major part in Michael Jackson’s life. He coped with the stress of a upcoming concert tour, debts, family especially his children, and what his fans expected of him. It was more intriguing to be eccentric and mysterious than normal. Can you imagine the stress of having to have idiosyncrasies rather than just be yourself? We all have our quirks don’t get me wrong. Some of us more than the others. I remember telling this to my father many many years ago and then hearing from my mother that my dad came back from visiting me saying he hoped I would marry soon because I was getting set in my ways.
Stress can kill you. We hear it all the time. It is hard on our heart. It is hard on us mentally and emotionally. Stress can ruin marriages and friendships. Without good friends and family we do not have the support system when we facing difficulties in our lives and we all do. No one leaves this world unscathed no matter how glorious their life looks from the outside in.
Read my blog tomorrow and I will begin a series on how to de stress in a relentless world.
How much will I save with Public Transportation???
GAS GAS GAS. Are you all tired of it? We all know people that use public transportation. Here in Tampa and in other cities around the country public transportation is difficult at best and sometimes not even an option.
If you can take a bus ie there is a route near your house that goes by where you work does it even pay to use it. The cost of a bus ride per trip seems a little steep right? And for a few dollars of savings is it worth loosing the freedom of driving yourself?
I used this calculator and I found out that if my husband used a bus every day we would save over $1800.00 a year.
Pretty amazing. This site even links to public transportation sites in your city. Give it a try and let us know how much you would save.
Sinatra
Tampa certainly has some great events going on this summer. And there is one this weekend that is sure to be exciting. It is called Frankly Sinatra- Doo Bee Doo Bee 2
Dancing, Great Food included, Open Bar included in the price of your ticket
The Don Juceam 17pc Orchestra
Benefits Shriners Hospital of Tampa and Wheels of Success
The Cuban Club - Ybor City at 14th and Palm.
Saturday July 26, 2008
Doors Open 7pm- ALL TICKET RESERVATIONS WILL BE HELD FOR WILL CALL
Showtime 8pm
Heavy Hors D’oeuvres
OPEN BAR
$70 per person- that’s the best deal in town !
Black Tie (optional)
Public parking available at small extra charge
FREE reserved table available for groups of 10, but you must call Don at 813-600-3134
Get ready to Doo Bee Doo Bee Doo
Got Shred?
One of our friends across the bridge is doing a wonderful event. She is having a shredding party. Please see the information below for details. RSVP to her if you are going to attend and drop us a line too. We want to know to look for you!
You’re Invited!!!
Document Shredding Event
An opportunity to safely dispose of outdated personal information. Documents such as old tax filings, insurance bills, check & bank statements, credit offers and estate planning & investment statements……For tips on what to keep, how long to keep it, and what to shred, view the attatched document.
PEACE Wealth Management
Seminole Professional Center
7178 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33772
Thursday, June 19th ~ 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Come by anytime with your friends.
You might even win a door prize for: the Oldest Document, the Largest Group, or the Person Who Drove the Farthest.
RSVP PREFERRED BY JUNE16th
Please just email us with a “Yes, I’d love to finally rid myself of these papers that are piling up,” or a “No, I prefer to remain a pack rat and hoard my papers.”
Your friends, family and colleagues are welcome!!
Another way PEACE Wealth helps you organize your financial life!