Amy Praskac - Thursday, January 14, 2010
Organizing your records for peace of mind
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"The journey of a 1,000 miles begins
with a single step." Lao Tzu
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| Organizing Tip |
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Getting Going on Getting Organized
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Getting organized is a popular New Year's resolution. So popular that people make it over and over again. Would you like to be successful at getting organized this year? The secret is to start small. Begin with a drawer or just one shelf in a closet. Take everything out of the drawer or off the shelf. Make a conscious decision about what you want to keep. Promptly give or throw away items you do not want to keep. Congratulations. You've taken the first step and are on the way to being organized.
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| Tele-Seminar on Organizing Your Records |
| Saturday February 20th |
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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 wearing your bathrobe and bunny slippers sipping hot coffee/tea/cocoa while someone talks you through the electronic notebook section-by-section and outlines the steps to compile your critical information? Register for On the Record's inaugural tele-seminar on Saturday February 20th.
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| GO Month Event |
| Clear Your Clutter Day on January 23rd |
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When does a discarded fiberglass shower stall with vinyl curtain still attached win a prize? When it's declared the winner of the "Strangest Item Dropped Off" contest in the annual Clear Your Clutter Day event. For the fourth consecutive year, the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers is collaborating with local vendors to offer this one-of-a-kind community service event. The public is invited to drop off one car-load of clutter for free.
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On the Record
512-371-3624
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Amy Praskac - Thursday, December 10, 2009
Organizing your records for peace of mind
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"The perfect is the enemy of the good."
Voltaire
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| Organizing Tip |
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Starting the Conversation
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The holidays may not be the perfect time to discuss end-of-life issues with aging parents, but it is the time of year when the generations gather together. There are a few things you can do to help the conversation go smoothly. Pick a quiet moment among the festivities. Consider who will be part of the conversation. You may choose to speak to one parent or to both. Limit yourself to one topic such as health issues or legal matters. You will not be able to cover everything that needs to be addressed in one conversation. The important thing is to start the conversation and not to wait for the perfect moment that may never arrive.
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| Coming in 2010 |
| Tele-Seminar |
Would you like to get all the information available in the personal records organizing seminar without leaving your home? Would you like to get a notebook that is easy to update whenever you have changes? Watch for details about On the Record's new Tele-Seminar! |
| Save the Date |
| Clear Your Clutter Day on January 23rd |
| The Austin chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is sponsoring its 4th Annual Clear Your Clutter Day as part of GO Month for Get Organized. Sponsors include Central Texas Secure Shredding, Eco-Box, and Junk-Busters. |
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On the Record
512-371-3624
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Amy Praskac - Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Preparing you for the inevitable
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"Duty is what one expects from others."
Oscar Wilde
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| Organizing Tip |
| Choosing an Executor |
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A will is a legal document that states how your property is to be distributed at death. Your executor is the individual who will manage your property. Consider these factors when choosing an executor.
1) The closeness of the relationship. You are asking a very big favor when you ask someone to serve as your executor. Also, this person will become intimately acquainted with your affairs; you will have no secrets from your executor.
2) The ability of the person to do the job. Choose someone who will carry out the duties of an executor by managing your property responsibly, keeping records accurately, and dealing fairly with your heirs.
3) The geographic proximity of your executor. It will be easier for your executor if he or she resides in the same city that you do. This is less important than other factors.
Once you choose your executor, prepare him or her to do the job. Meet with your executor to discuss how your property is to be distributed and how your record keeping is organized. Continue to update your executor periodically.
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| Thank You |
| Survey |
Thank you to everyone who responded to On the Record's first survey. This month's tip is in direct response to those who said they needed more information on choosing an executor. Look forward to more tips based on survey responses.
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| Personal Records Organizing Seminar |
| Saturday November 14 from 9 am to 11 am |
Are you ready to get your records in order but need some guidance on what documents to gather? Come to this seminar on Saturday November 14 from 9 am to 11 am. The seminar will be held at the Texspresso coffee shop 2700 West Anderson Lane in the Village Shopping Center across from Northcross Mall. Leave with a notebook that will make organizing your family's critical information an easy task.
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| On the Record
512-371-3624
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Amy Praskac - Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Preparing you for the inevitable
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"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Ghandi
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| Organizing Tip |
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Organizing Other People in Your Life
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Beginning to wonder if your aging parents have their affairs and documents in order? Worried about how to raise the subject of end-of-life planning with your parents? Get your affairs and documents in order first. When you do raise the subject, you will be more knowledgeable about what documents and arrangements need to be in place. As a result you will be more confident discussing what can be a difficult subject.
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| 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 for end-of-life. If you need a speaker for a brown bag lunch or an after dinner speaker or someone to present a workshop on resources for end-of-life planning, Amy has a presentation to meet your needs.
Thank you so much for coming out to talk to us. It was definitely a real eye opener. I loved the stories.... Read more.
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| On the Record
512-371-3624
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Amy Praskac - Wednesday, July 01, 2009
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Organizing your personal records for peace of mind
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"Seasons change, and so did I."
No Time by The Guess Who
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| Organizing Tip |
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The only constant is change itself
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Spring has turned into summer and there may have been other changes in your life. You may have experienced a life event such as birth, marriage, divorce, empty nest, job change or loss, house move, retirement, or a death in the family. Part of change is adapting and you may need to update your record keeping as well.
Some possible actions needed:
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Review your will and power of attorney
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Change your medical directives
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Re-title accounts and property
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Add or drop insurance coverage
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Update beneficiary information
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Notify others of change of address
Even if you have not experienced a life event and the calendar has merely turned a few pages, take time to review your circumstances periodically. Some changes are so gradual we hardly notice. Before you know it, forty years of tax returns have accumulated in the attic and pop songs have turned into oldies. The Guess Who released No Time in 1970.
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| New Electronic Edition of Critical Information Notebook |
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Easy-to-update notebook now available
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Not into more paperwork, but feel you should do something to gather your family's critical information? Still want all the tips and advice that comes with the annotated version? More comfortable completing forms on the computer than by hand? If you answered yes, then the electronic edition of fillable forms is for you. See how easy it is to complete a sample page.
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| On the Record in the News |
| Article in Starlite Caregivers newsletter |
Amy Praskac wrote "Organizing for Caregiving" for the summer issue of the Lamplighter. She begins by asking "Are you responsible for caring for a loved one? If so, you will need to organize your loved one's medical information and records to be an effective caregiver. Here is a list of information and records for you to gather." Read the full article.
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| Amy Praskac Becomes an Expert for WomenBloom |
| Ask The Expert: Oops, How Did I Get To Be Co-Executor? |
| As told on WomenBloom: "Our member, Frances, finds herself unexpectedly the co-executor of her cousin's estate because she didn't really probe deeply enough when she was asked to 'help out'. Amy Praskac, our end of life organizing expert, tells us how to avoid being put in that difficult situation." Read more about how Frances could have handled the situation.
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On the Record
512-371-3624
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Amy Praskac - Thursday, April 16, 2009
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Organizing your personal records for peace of mind
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"In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes."
Benjamin Franklin
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| Organizing Tip |
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Life's other certainty
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Unless you are one of the ten million people that the IRS estimates will request an extension, you have just finished dealing with one of life's certainties: your taxes. But what about life's other certainty? According to recent surveys, nearly 60 percent of Americans do not have a will. Many say the reason is that they don't know where to begin.
You can get started by organizing some basic information. Make a list of your assets being sure to include bank accounts, insurance policies, and real property. Make a list of your liabilities including any debts owed such as mortgages or loans. Then make a list of your beneficiaries. Your beneficiaries may be persons or institutions. Use these lists to outline your instructions for distributing your estate. If your organize this information beforehand, the time you spend consulting an estate attorney will be both more efficient and effective.
Do choose an executor and a successor executor. Be sure to include your preferences regarding burial or cremation, organ donation, and what kind of service you want as this is the first instruction your family will have to carry out.
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| Amy Praskac Available to Give Presentations |
| Invite Amy to speak to your group |
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Amy Praskac is available to give presentations on being prepared for end-of-life. Whether you need a speaker for a brown bag lunch or a presenter for a more comprehensive session or someone to run a workshop on resources for end-of-planning, Amy has a presentation to meet your needs.
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| Recommended Books a New Feature on Web Site |
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Surviving Death: A Practical Guide to Caring for the Dying & Bereaved
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Can you survive the death of a loved one? In the midst of loss, it seems not. However, Charles Meyer provides a guide out of the wilderness. He begins with how to be present with someone who is dying, moves on to the hard work of grieving, and then shows you.... Read more.
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| Unique Gift Suggestion for Newlyweds |
In-Home Tutorial
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Friends getting married and they already have multiple sets of monogrammed towels? You can get them a unique gift: the In-Home Tutorial on Organizing Your Records. You send the gift certificate and card to the happy couple and they make an appointment with On the Record. An education for first-time married couples and an imperative for those marrying a second time later in life.
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| Seminar on Organizing Your Personal Records |
| Wednesday June 10th at 6:30-8:30 pm |
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Are you ready to get your records in order, but need some guidance on what documents to gather? Take this seminar and learn how to create a "roadmap" for your family to follow. Leave with a notebook that will make organizing your family's critical information an easy task.
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On the Record
512-371-3624
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Amy Praskac - Thursday, January 15, 2009
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Organizing your personal records for peace of mind
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"When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity." John F. Kennedy
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| Organizing Tip |
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The recent economic crisis is an opportunity to simplify. Take time to examine your life. Decide what you value and want to keep. Let go of the rest. Once you simplify, it becomes much easier to maintain. Easier to maintain means that you have more time. Having more time to spend with friends and family to do things that you enjoy makes you a rich person.
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| Evening Seminar Offered by On the Record |
| Thursday January 22nd 6:30 to 8:30 pm |
| It's time again for On the Record's popular quarterly seminar on organizing your personal records. Make sure that your family has the information they need for an emergency or end-of-life. Take this seminar and learn how to create a "roadmap" for your family to follow. Leave with a notebook that will make organizing your family's critical information an easy task.
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| New Product for the New Year |
| Expanded and annotated critical information notebook now available |
| Can't wait for the seminar? Have relatives that need to get organized? Buy On the Record's expanded and annotated Our Family's Critical Information notebook. More valuable than ever, the latest edition includes instructions and tips for completing your notebook and managing your personal records.
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| Clear Your Clutter Day |
| Saturday January 31st 10 am to 2 pm |
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Celebrate Clear Your Clutter Day on Saturday January 31st at Austin High School. The Austin Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers is hosting CYCD as part of GO for Get Organized Month. Sponsors include Junk Busters, Central Texas Secure Shredding, and Eco Box. They will take your unwanted items, shred your papers, and accept your used moving boxes.
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| On the Record
512-371-3624
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Amy Praskac - Monday, September 22, 2008
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Organizing your personal records for peace of mind
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Clean out the drainpipes while the sun shines.
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| Organizing Tip |
| September is National Preparedness Month
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign has designated September as National Preparedness Month. The goal is to help Americans become more educated and encourage them to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and schools.
Learn to take the following preparedness steps.
Get a Kit--Gather necessary items for your emergency preparedness kit. Download Emergency Kit Checklist.
Make a Plan--Develop a plan that you practice ahead of time so that family members can find one another in an emergency. Download Family Emergency Plan.
Be Informed--Learn more about how to prepare for different types of emergencies. Download Ready Brochure.
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| Do you know where your important records are? |
| Records Organizing Seminar on Saturday October 25th 9:00-11:00 am |
| Imagine the hurricane is coming your way. You must evacuate and will not be allowed to return for weeks. Part of being prepared is being able to put your hands on your important papers when you need them, not wasting valuable time searching or perhaps not finding them at all. Take this seminar and learn how to organize your records. |
| Urgent Question Posed |
| Latest FAQ |
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Q: My spouse is terminally ill and expected to pass in about a year or sooner. What information should I be gathering and how should I be preparing so that I am not left in the lurch?
A: There are four areas to focus on: Legal, Financial, Practical, and Emotional or Spiritual. You should deal with the legal, financial, and practical matters as soon as possible so that you may attend to emotional and spiritual matters unencumbered.
There are several legal documents to make sure are in place: a Will, a Durable Power of Attorney, a Medical Power of Attorney, an Advance Directive to Physician and Family or Surrogates, and, possibly, an Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order, a Body Disposition Authorization, or an Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains.
Regarding financial matters, a key financial form is a beneficiary form. You can have a beneficiary form for life insurance policies or pre-tax retirement accounts.
The most immediate practical matter after someone dies is what to do with the body. Families are comforted when they know that they are carrying out a loved one’s wishes. Discuss your wishes with your family and let them know whether you prefer burial or cremation and choose a final resting place.
It is as important as any or all of the above to pay attention to the emotional and spiritual aspects of end-of-life. Take time to be with your loved ones, tell them what they mean to you, and mend any relationships that need healing. This will be your legacy.
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| On the Record
512-371-3624
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Amy Praskac - Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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Organizing your personal records for peace of mind
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Summertime and the living is easy....if you are organized!
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| Organizing Tip |
| What to do with all those recipes you have clipped over the years?
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| You don't want to paste them on little index cards or type them into your computer. Too tedious! Instead try this. Insert the clipping in a plastic sleeve--known as a clear sheet protector in office supply lingo. The clear sheet protectors come with holes for a 3-ring binder. If you add a set of dividers you can create your own cookbook. Bonus: You can easily wipe spills off the plastic page. Here's a new recipe to get you started.
Jerry's Mint Iced Tea
Pour one kettle of boiling water over 7 tea bags and a bunch of fresh mint. Steep 10-15 minutes. Remove bags and mint. Add 6 oz. frozen lemonade concentrate and 32 oz. water. Add 1 or 2 scoops of sugar to your taste. Allow to cool before refrigerating to prevent cloudiness. Garnish with lemon and fresh mint.
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| New FAQ Page on Web Site |
| Since you asked |
| More than one perspicacious reader asked about the spring issue's organizing tip. Get chapter and verse about records retention. Have burning questions of your own? Submit them at Contact.
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| Evening Seminar Offered by On the Record |
| Thursday July 24th 6:30-8:30 pm |
| According to Money Magazine, in the best of all worlds we would know exactly what to do when someone close to us dies. In the real world, such a well-ordered process almost never occurs. Take this seminar and learn how to create a "roadmap" for your family to follow.
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| On the Record in the News |
Article in Accountable Aging newsletter
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Amy Praskac wrote How often should a senior meet with his or her back-up partner? for the Accountable Aging newsletter. Things change over time. Records should be updated.... Read more.
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| Help Organize |
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Please forward this issue to 3 friends so they can become better organized, too! |
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| On the Record
512-371-3624
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Amy Praskac - Monday, March 24, 2008
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Organizing your personal records for peace of mind |
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Spring has sprung! On the Record urges you to
clean out your files!
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| Organizing Tip |
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Purge your tax records for tax year 2004 and older. If you cannot bring yourself to shred those returns, do shred the receipts and other documentation to save file space.
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| How to Develop Your Family's Critical Information Notebook |
| Seminar on Saturday April 19th |
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Attend this engaging and inspiring seminar to:
- Learn what critical documents you need to have on hand
- Discover the most frequently neglected areas for planning
- Receive tips on how to address gaps in your recordkeeping
- Take home a notebook that will make organizing your family's critical information a simple task!
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| When a personal emergency strikes, will you be prepared? |
Amy Praskac to talk at Austin Local Links Live
Come to the April 9th meeting of Austin Local Links Live where Amy Praskac will share stories about the pitfalls of not being prepared. Learn how prepared you really are with her short self-quiz. The group gathers from 8 to 9 am at Genuine Joe's coffee house at 2001 W. Anderson Lane (one block east of Burnet Rd). The meeting fee is $5 and includes coffee.
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| On the Record
512-371-3624
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