Newsletter Archive

Be sure how your personal information is used

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:38:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

October 2011

"How can I be sure in a world that's constantly changing?"

Young Rascals (1967)

Organizing Tip

Be sure how your personal information is used

When you send in a completed "product registration" card, you are providing valuable personal information that is used to compile buyer profiles and sold to marketers. You do not need to return the card as the receipt is usually sufficient for warranty coverage if the product is defective. Alternatively, you may opt to send the registration card with only minimal information such as your name, address, date of purchase and product serial number.

Exception: Always complete the product registration card for any durable infant's or toddler's products such as cribs, toddler beds, strollers, car seats, high chairs, and play yards or swings as the information from cards for these specific types of products cannot be used for marketing or other commercial purposes.

Records Organizing Seminar

Saturday November 5th 10:00 am to Noon

On the Record is partnering with the Solutions Training Group to offer the records organizing seminar. Attend this engaging and inspiring seminar to:
     * Learn what critical documents you need
     * Discover the most frequently neglected areas
     * Receive tips on how to address gaps in your recordkeeping

Previous participants commented that the seminar was "Very useful, well-organized, and motivating!" and "This was extremely useful--the jump-start I needed to get my records organized."

Getting a C.L.U.E.®

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:40:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

September 2011

"The reader must have equal opportunity with the detective for solving the mystery. All clues must be plainly stated and described."

S.S. Van Dine Twenty rules for writing detective stories

Organizing Tip

Getting a C.L.U.E.^®

C.L.U.E.^®is the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, a database created by ChoicePoint and purchased by LexisNexis. The database combines personal insurance history with property history. There are two types of C.L.U.E.^® reports: Personal Property for homes and possessions and Auto reports.

Just as your credit report can affect your ability to get credit and the interest rate you pay, your C.L.U.E.^® report can affect your ability to get coverage and the premiums you pay for home and auto insurance.

You are entitled to one free report a year. Order your C.L.U.E.® report.

Emergency Preparedness

Gather your documents in case of evacuation

Ready America^® is a national public service advertising

campaign to educate Americans to prepare for natural

and man-made disasters. Ready America^® recommends

you follow these steps:

1. Get a Kit of emergency supplies

2. Make a Plan for what you will do in an emergency

3. Be Informed about what might happen

Your kit should include important family documents in a

waterproof container.

Family records
Medical records
Wills
Deeds
Social Security Number
Credit Card and Bank account information
Tax records
Cash or travelers checks

Records Organizing Seminar

Saturday November 5th

On the Record is partnering with the Solutions Training Group to offer the records organizing seminar. Attend this engaging and inspiring seminar to:
     *Learn what critical documents you need
     *Discover the most frequently neglected areas
     *Receive tips on how to address gaps in your recordkeeping

Previous participants commented the seminar was:

"Very useful, well-organized, and motivating."

"This was extremely useful--the jump-start I needed to get my records organized."

You can register online beginning in October.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Getting the mail you want

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:31:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

August 2011

"What is trash to one is treasure to another."

Organizing Tip

Getting the mail you want

Catalog Choice is a nonprofit that helps you manage your unwanted mail and phone books. Their motto is: It's your mailbox. Control what gets in."

After signing up for your free account, you select the company or companies you do not want to send mail to you. Catalog Choice delivers the opt-out request and tracks the company's confirmation. This allows you to be selective about getting the mail you want, but not the mail you don't want.

Thanks to perspicacious reader Sandra Martin for introducing me to Catalog Choice.

Dispose of Phone Books

Recycling responsibly

For those of you living in Austin, Texas, phone books may be placed in your Single Stream Recycling cart with other recyclables.

For those of you living in other locations--and missing out on 100 degrees plus temperatures--search online using "dispose phone books" and your zip code to find the nearest recycling option.

Amy Praskac Available to Speak to Your Group

Invite Amy to speak to your group

Amy Praskac is available to give talks on the importance of being prepared. If you need a speaker for a brown bag lunch or to present a workshop, contact On the Record.

Thank you so much for coming out to talk to us. It was definitely a real eye opener. I loved the stories....Read more.

Changes Coming for On the Record

Web site redesign and Blog

Watch for a new look for the On the Record Web site. Blog to follow soon thereafter. As always, we welcome your opinions, suggestions, and questions.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Stopping flyers and advertising supplements

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:42:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

July 2011

"If you want something, it will elude you.
If you do not want something, you will get ten of it in the mail."

Anna Quindlen

Organizing Tip

Stopping flyers and advertising supplements

Look for the mailing label attached directly to the flyer to get the name of the distribution company. Contact the company in writing or by telephone to request that your address be taken off the distribution list. When making a written request, send a copy of your mailing label along with the letter.

Red Plum or ADVO, Inc. (missing children pictures)

List Service Dept.,

239 West Service Rd.

Hartford, CT 06120
opt out online.

Val-Pak Coupons (blue envelope) maintains regional lists, not a national list.

Send your request to the address printed on the envelope you receive or

opt out online.

Coupons Enjoy Resurgence

Technology makes coupon clipping obsolete

Coupons are enjoying a resurgence during the Great Recession similar to their popularity during the Great Depression. Coupon clipping is a hot hobby across all ages and incomes, reports I♥CouponMonth.com, with moms roughly twice as likely to search for coupons online as other categories of women.

While coupons have been around for a long time, the form is changing rapidly. Asa Chandler, marketer for CocaCola™, coined the word coupon from the French word "couper" meaning "to cut" back in 1887. The coupon industry needs a new word because "clipping" increasingly no longer applies.

With the advent of the internet, it has become possible to download printable coupons and coupon codes. Then there's the explosion of social daily-deal coupons from companies like Groupon and LivingSocial. paper and digital combine for consumer savings.

However, the coupon is already evolving to all digital. You can download a coupon to your retailer's loyalty card to be applied at checkout. It's still up to you to plan download, and remember what's on the card.

The next iteration will build on the GPS and WiFi capabilities of smartphones to send coupons to your phone for products you are viewing on the shelf in front of you. All you need to do is put the item in your shopping cart.

Information from I♥CouponMonth.com and articles in the New York Times Business section on 2010-12-26 and 2011-04-20.

Quick Statistics about Coupons

Average savings per coupon used: $1.44
Average time until expiration: 10.1 weeks
Coupons redeemed for nonfood purchases: One-third
Consumers reporting using coupons: 78.3 percent
Growth of coupon redemption from 2009: 3.1 percent
Coupons distributed: $485 billion
Consumer savings: $3.7 billion

Statistics for 2010 were cited on I♥CouponMonth.com.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Getting off mailing lists

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:44:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

June 2011

"Discourse is fleeting, but junk mail is forever."

Joe Bob Briggs

Organizing Tip

Getting off mailing lists

Contact the Direct Marketing Association to opt out of direct mailings. DMA recommends you register on their site as the fastest way to express your preference. However, you do have the option to print the form and mail with a check.

Contact the credit bureaus to opt out of pre-approved credit card offers. You can make one contact for several major credit bureaus. You must provide your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security Number. There are two methods: Call 888-567-8688 or go online to register your preference.

On the Record Survey

Results used for this month's organizing tip

Thanks to everyone who participated in last month's survey. We appreciate that you took the time. We are using your responses and comments to guide research for future tips and news articles to help you track, correct, and manage records about you. You are always welcome to write with your recordkeeping questions and concerns.

Effects of Junk Mail Are Far-Ranging

Social and personal costs

There are social and personal costs incurred by junk mail. Here are a few statistics.

Resources used annually to produce and deliver junk mail:

100 million trees,
28 billion gallons of water, and
9 million cars worth of gas emissions.

Junk mail and your life:

41 pounds of junk mail a year,
70 hours a year dealing with junk mail, and
3 to 20¢ every time your name is sold

Where junk mail goes

5.6 million tons of catalogs and other junk mail go to landfills
44 percent goes to the landfill unopened
22 percent is recycled

Benefits of stopping junk mail

Conserve trees and water
Decrease global warming
Cut your risk of identity theft

Statistics gathered from Environmental Protection Agency, Go Green Zine, and 41Pounds Web sites.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Save a tree

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:45:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

April 2011

"Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action.

Try to use ordinary situations." Jean Paul Richter

Organizing Tip

Save a tree

Make it a habit to:

Think before you print.
Print double-sided or re-use paper.
Use scrap paper for phone messages.
Recycle used paper.
Buy recycled paper.

Clarification of previous organizing tip: Get rid of duplicate documents. For example, you can shred pay stubs after you receive your W-2 form. Keep your W-2 form with your tax return. Back-up your files frequently if you go paperless. Thanks to perspicacious reader Ed M. for writing. Your comments and questions are always welcome.

On the Record Named One of Constant Contact's 2010 All Stars

Second-time Award Winner

On the Record has received the 2010 All Star Award from Constant Contact^®, Inc., the trusted marketing advisor to more than 400,000 small organizations worldwide. On the Record is one of Constant Contact's 2010 top performers and most prolific user of its tools, whether within Constant Contact's email marketing, event marketing, social media marketing, or survey products - or a combination of all four.

"I'm pleased On the Record has been recognized again by Constant Contact for exemplary e-mail results. I'm especially pleased our readers find our tips & announcements worthwhile and want to thank them for their loyal following," said owner Amy Praskac.

Free Household Document Shredding

Saturday April 16th from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm

The Austin Records Management Association and the City of Austin Solid Waste Services are sponsoring a free "Shred Day." Households may bring up to five boxes of paper records for shredding.

Having "The Conversation"

Wednesday May 11th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm

Come see Amy Praskac and Mary Koffend of Accountable Aging Care Management present Having "The Conversation." No it's not about discussing sex with your teenager. It's about discussing aging and end-of-life concerns with your parents. Praskac and Koffend take the lighthearted approach of putting on a play. They share advice on who to involve (casting), what topic (plotting), as well as when and where to hold the discussion (setting the scene).

On the Record

512-371-3624

Simplify before you organize

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:46:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

March 2011

"Simplify, simplify."

Henry David Thoreau

Organizing Tip

Simplify before you organize

As you gather your financial documents to prepare to file your tax return, you may realize that things have gotten out of hand. You opened a checking account at a credit union when you started a new job. You left your 401(k) at your previous job. You got an automatic coffee pot when you began a savings account at a local bank. Years ago, you found a screaming deal on a certificate of deposit and never moved the money when interest rates went through the floor. Now you have to track all these accounts and the paperwork that goes with it. Take these steps to simplify:

Close or combine bank accounts
Roll over 401(k) accounts from former jobs
Get combined statements
Go paperless

Remember there's no need to save monthly or quarterly statements after you review or balance your account. Shred at least once a year after you verify that your 1099 is correct. Similarly, you do not need to retain paycheck stubs or statements after you verify that your W-2 is correct. You will reap your reward down the road when you have fewer accounts to track and fewer papers to gather to prepare your tax return.

Learn How to Organize Your Records

Tele-Seminar on Saturday March 26th from 9 to 11 am CT

Are you interested in getting your records organized? Do you find you need a little help getting started? Does the idea of an electronic notebook that you can easily update and share with close family members appeal to you? Can you picture yourself in front of your computer as someone talks you through the electronic notebook section-by-section while you sip coffee? Then the tele-seminar is for you.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Organize your savings bonds

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:08:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

February 2011

"And so my fellow Americans, I ask you to demonstrate again your faith in America by joining me in investing in the new defense savings bonds and stamps."

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Radio Address, April 30, 1941

Organizing Tip

Organize your savings bonds

In honor of Presidents' Day, this month's organizing tip is about savings bonds. Franklin Roosevelt purchased the first defense savings bond and stamps and asked the nation to follow his example. Thomas Jefferson's image was featured on the the bonds.

The United States Treasury offers tools to manage and calculate the value of your savings bonds. Treasury Hunt® tells you about savings bonds no longer earning interest so that you can cash or reinvest these bonds. With the Savings Bond Wizard®, you can: manage your savings bonds, print your savings and inventory, find the redemption value of your bonds, and find the interest your bonds have earned.

The Treasury offers three estimation calculators. The Growth Calculator demonstrates how your savings bonds' earnings will grow. The Savings Planner works in reverse of the Growth Calculator. You begin with your savings goal and enter investment amounts, frequency of investments, and expected interest to calculate the expected value of your investment. Use the Tax Advantage Calculator to figure the total expected return on your investment compared to investments subject to current federal, state, and local taxes. Learn more about these tools at TreasuryDirect®.

Since you asked

About oiling your shredder

Use only oil specifically designed for shredders. Shredder oil comes in liquid and aerosol varieties and is available at office supply stores. You can oil the cutting heads directly or spread oil on a sheet of paper before feeding it into the shredder. If you opt to oil the cutting heads directly, move from one side of the opening to the other in one to two seconds. If you use a paper sheet, apply the oil back and forth on the page for even coverage. You do not need to soak the page.

After you oil the shredder, operate the machine in reverse for a few seconds to make sure the oil is dispersed throughout the cutting cylinders. Shred a few sheets to remove excess oil.

Cross-cut shredders need to be oiled more frequently than strip-cut shredders. You should oil your shredder for every 30 minutes of accumulative shredding or once a month for most home users. Alternatively, you may find it easier to remember to oil your shredder every time you change the bag.

Tele-Seminar

Saturday March 26th from 9 to 11 am CT

Does the idea of an electronic notebook that you can easily update and share with close family members appeal to you? Can you picture yourself comfortably at home in front of your computer as someone talks you through the electronic notebook section-by-section while you sip coffee? Then the tele-seminar is for you.

A Red Bench to Interview Amy Praskac

Wednesday March 9th

Angela Ploetz of A Red Bench will interview Amy Praskac on the importance of a business exit strategy. Learn about the types of business exits and why you need to know your strategy.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Reminders about shredding

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:02:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

January 2011

"File people better than pile people.
But throw-away people best of all."

The Feng Shui Detective by Nury Vittachi

Organizing Tip

Reminders about shredding

For those of you cleaning out your files and getting ready to file your tax return for 2010, here are some reminders about shredding. You should shred anything with your name, address, or account numbers, and, especially, anything with your social security number. A cross-cut shredder is better than one that merely slices sheets into strips. If you get a shredder that can handle twelve sheets at a time, you can shred much of your junk mail without opening it. A shredder that can handle staples, credit cards, and CDs is handy. Remember to oil your shredder once a month so it does not burn out.

Clear Your Clutter Day

Saturday January 29th from 10 am to 2 pm

The Austin Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers is hosting its fifth annual Clear Your Clutter Day as a community service event. The event will be held on Saturday January 29th from 10 am to 2 pm. Bring one carload of your junk, computers, papers (to be shredded at off-site facility), flattened moving boxes, used cell phones, and any mobility assistance devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc.).

On the Record

512-371-3624

Talking to Your Parents about Aging and End-of-Life Concerns

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:50:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

December 2010

"Communication is the problem to the answer"

The Things We Do for Love by 10CC

Organizing Tip

Talking to Your Parents about Aging and End-of-Life Concerns

Your family is far flung, but you always make it home for the holidays. You notice Mom and Dad are not doing quite as well this year as last. You realize you don't know as much about their affairs as you should. How do you start the conversation?

Pick a quiet time and a comfortable location. Be sure your parents can hear without distractions. Choose one topic--health, safety in the home, finances, legal matters, or end-of-life planning. Try a gentle sideways approach. Perhaps begin by sharing your experience. "Mom, Doug and I just updated our wills. When did you and Dad last update your wills?"

Your conversation may go well or it may be a little bumpy. You will need to persist. Remember, it's not just one conversation. It's the start of many conversations.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Record Keeping

Ask On the Record

Do you need a certified copy of an important document? Do you want to go paperless, but lack confidence about what to shred? Do you know the safest place to file important papers? Do you have fantasies about getting off junk mailing lists?

Reply with your record keeping questions and watch for answers in future e-mails.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Complete your advance directives before you become ill

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:29:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

November 2010

It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.

Whitney Young Jr.

Organizing Tip

Complete your advance directives before you become ill

All competent adults should complete:

Directive to Physicians and Family--sometimes called a Living Will, this document communicates an individual's wishes about medical treatment if the individual is unable to make his or her wishes known because of illness or injury. Give a copy to your doctors as well as your family.

Power of Attorney for Medical Decisions--names another person to make health care decisions for an individual if he or she is unable to make such decisions for him or herself. Give a copy to the person named.

Most Persons Without Advance Directives

Despite ready availability and many benefits

Only 34 percent of respondents to a Maryland telephone survey have advance medical directives according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This contrasts with the finding that 61 percent of the respondents indicated they have preferences about medical care in the event they are unable to make such decisions.

"These findings suggest a disconnect between what people want in the event they are unable to make medical decisions for themselves, and their actions to ensure their preferences are actually carried out," according to lead study author Keshia Pollack. She further notes, "While these results are specific to Maryland, they are relevant to other areas of the country with the factors that lead to or hinder completion of advance directives."

Reasons cited for not having an advance directive were:

Unfamiliar with advance directives (27 percent)
Feel too healthy or too young to need one (14 percent)
Uncertain about the process for adopting one (11 percent)

Study co-author Dan Morhaim, who initiated the study, noted “Advance medical directives cost nothing to complete and are readily available from many sources.” Download your state’s directives.

Research has shown the benefits of advance directives include improved quality at the end-of-life, fewer burdens on family and health care providers, and a reduced need for (often controversial and expensive) life-sustaining treatment.

Information in this article was drawn from a February 17, 2010 press release issued by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health and the article abstract. The full study, The public’s perspectives on advance directives: Implications for state legislative and regulatory policy by Keshia M. Pollack, Dan Morhaim, and Michael A. Williams, was published in the June 2010 issue of Health Policy.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Review your will

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:16:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

October 2010

Where there's a will, there's an heir.

Anonymous

Organizing Tip

Review your will

October 18-24 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week and an ideal time to review your will. An out-of-date will can create confusion and conflict among your family and heirs. Not sure if your will is out-of-date? There are at least a dozen life events that could prompt changing your will.

· Marriage

· Divorce

· Death of a spouse

· Birth of a child

· Change in needs of children or other beneficiary

· Youngest child reaches adulthood

· Change in value of assets

· Acquisition or distribution of assets, including real estate

· Death of a beneficiary named in your will

· Executor is no longer able to serve due to death, disability, or a move

· Decision to change bequests

· Move to another state

Be sure to let your executor know if you decide to change your will. Remind your executor where your keep your will.

Records Organizing Seminar

Saturday October 23rd 10:00 am to Noon

On the Record is partnering with the Solutions Training Group to offer the records organizing seminar. Attend this engaging and inspiring seminar to:
     * Learn what critical documents you need
     * Discover the most frequently neglected areas
     * Receive tips on how to address gaps in your recordkeeping
Previous participants commented that the seminar was "Very useful, well-organized, and motivating!" and "This was extremely useful--the jump-start I needed to get my records organized."

Have you made a will or are you like most Americans?

Economic downturn has effect on planning for the future

Only 35 percent of adult Americans have wills according to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive for Lawyers.com. This figure is down from 64 percent in 2007.

Approximately 70 percent agreed that the economic downturn has made it difficult to plan for the future. Among those who do not have any estate planning documents, 44 percent cited a greater need to focus on the essentials of daily life such as buying groceries and paying the bills.

Some reasons cited were based on misconceptions about estate planning. Twenty percent of those who do not have estate planning documents report they believe their spouse and/or children will automatically receive any assets and 17 percent said they do not own sufficient assets to have an estate plan while 11 percent don’t believe it is necessary.

However, according to Forbes, if someone dies without a will, the surviving spouse inherits everything in only 16 states. Furthermore, estate planning documents go beyond the transfer of assets and should include a living will and a medical power of attorney.

More mundane reasons cited by respondents were: 19 percent feel it is too expensive and 9 percent believe it takes too much time to create one. Seven percent do not know what an estate plan is.

Information in this article comes from articles on Lawyers.com and Forbes.com. The telephone survey was conducted by Harris Interactive for Lawyers.com in December 2009 among a national sample of 1,022 American 18+ balanced to census and is compared to historical data from earlier surveys.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Inventory Home Possessions

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:03:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

September 2010

"Stormy weather, just can't get
my poor old self together"

Stormy Weather by Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler

Organizing Tip

Inventory Home Possessions

September is the peak of hurricane season as well as National Preparedness Month. One step you can take to be prepared is to inventory your home possessions. Your inventory will make it easy to file an insurance claim if you also record the value of each item. You can hand write the list, develop a spreadsheet, use home financial management software, or download household and personal property inventory forms from the Internet. You will be especially well-prepared if you take pictures to go with your inventory. Be sure to store your inventory in a safe deposit box or with someone who lives in a different city.

Moonlight Madness for Tele-Seminar on Organizing Your Records

Thursday September 23rd 7:00 to 8:30 pm (CT)

Does the idea of an electronic notebook that you can easily update and share with close family members appeal to you? Can you picture yourself at your computer as someone calmly talks you through the electronic notebook section-by-section and outlines the steps to compile your critical information while outside your dog bays at the full moon? Then the Moonlight Madness Tele-Seminar on Organizing Your Records is for you. Includes personalized electronic notebook.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Don't get burned: Check your credit report

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:32:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

August 2010

"Hot town, summer in the city"

Summer in the City by The Lovin' Spoonful

Organizing Tip

Don't get burned: Check your credit report

Don't get burned by identity theft or disapproved for a major purchase such as a car or house. By law, you can request one free credit report a year from each of the national consumer reporting companies.

Visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
Call toll-free 877-322-8228.

Correct any errors you find immediately.

Extra Organizing Tip Because It's Extra Hot

Get the most from your free annual report

Instead of getting reports from all three national consumer reporting companies at the same time, request one every four months. For example, request a report from Equifax in August, a report from Experian in December, and a report from TransUnion in April. You will be checking your credit report three times as often with this rotation system and still not pay a dime! Remember, annualcreditreport.com is the only source for your free credit report.

When a Personal Emergency Strikes, Will You Be Prepared?

Wednesday August 18th 7 pm

Imagine that you are in an automobile accident and taken unconscious to the hospital. Will your family have your Directive Regarding Who May Receive Medical Information so they can get information on your condition? Will your family be able to find your Medical Power of Attorney so that they can act on your behalf? Do you have these documents for family members so that you can act on their behalf?

Join Amy Praskac of On the Record when she speaks to the Adult Children of Aging Parents Support Group.The public is welcome to attend.

Amy Praskac Available to Give Presentations

Invite Amy to Speak to Your Group

Amy Praskac is available to give presentations on the importance of being prepared. If you need a speaker for a brown bag lunch or to present a workshop, call Amy.

Thank you so much for coming out to talk to us. It was definitely a real eye opener. I loved the stories....Read More.

On the Record

512-371-3624

Consolidate your records in one location

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:51:00 GMT

Organizing your records for peace of mind

July 2010

"Good order is the foundation of all things."

Edmund Burke

Organizing Tip

Consolidate your records in one location

Many of you probably file your records in a few different places. If you store records in more than three locations, consider consolidating them in one location. At a minimum, you should gather like records in the same location: e.g., financial records in your desk drawer, manuals and warranties in a kitchen drawer, insurance claims in the file cabinet. In the process of consolidating, you may discover duplicates you can discard. Consolidating your records will give you a better handle on what you have and you will be less likely to lose a file than if they are scattered.

New Subscription Notebook

Special introductory price for a limited time

Many of you have shared with us how overwhelming it can be to organize your important records and critical information. You feel unclear about what to keep or even where to start. We heard you and developed the Subscription Notebook with your needs in mind. With the Subscription Notebook, you will build your critical information notebook one section at a time.

The Price of Not Being Organized

May be a hidden price

We all have multiple accounts, memberships, and subscriptions. Not all of us have a system to track them. Consequently, we may "pay" a hidden price in the form of an abandoned savings account or an uncollected utility deposit or a missed refund check. Who among us can afford to lose assets?

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators® Web site has links to states, territories, and some Canadian Provinces. You can search by state or across all participating states and provinces.

Share with family and friends

Please forward

If you find our tips and articles useful, please consider forwarding this email to your family and friends. Use the forward email link below or your email's forward button.

On the Record

512-371-3624