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Feb 02
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How to Get Your Small Business Ready for Tax Season

By Blog, Business Organizing, Checklists No Comments

As a business owner, you may experience mixed feelings when it comes time to get your small business ready for tax season.

 

Tax season is a stressful time for many of us personally, but add business to the mix? It’s a whole other world!

 

With receipts scattered, documents misplaced, and procrastination looming, it’s no wonder we avoid all tax-related tasks until the last minute.

 

In this blog post, I’m sharing my simple organizing strategies honed over two decades. With these systems in place, you can keep your taxes organized for both personal and business use year after year.

 

 

Let’s dive into the five best tips to kickstart a stress-free tax season!

 

How to Get Your Small Business Ready for Tax Season

 

 

Centralized System for Receipts:

 

Organizing receipts is crucial for a smooth tax filing process. Designate a specific spot in your wallet, desk, or car for collecting receipts. Use durable zipper pouches labeled with categories like “Business Expenses” or “Medical Receipts” for easy sorting and retrieval. Regularly empty these pouches into your central tax folder to keep everything tidy and in one accessible place come tax season.

 

Digital Tax Folder:

Since we’re living in the digital age, it’s beneficial for you to digitize as many documents as you can to get your small business ready for tax season. Start by creating dedicated tax folders on your computer for both personal and business taxes. As you receive documents, scan or photograph them and file them directly into their respective folders. This ensures a well-organized digital archive for easy reference whenever you need something!

Personalized Tax Checklists:

 

Develop customized tax checklists for your specific needs. You can find free basic templates online to start with and just tweak them where needed. For business owners, maintain separate checklists for personal and business taxes. Customize these lists to streamline the gathering of required documents for tax season.

 

 

File Folders with Expanding Pockets:

If you haven’t already, choose a filing system that suits your needs. File folders work well for smaller amounts of documentation while folders with expanding pockets are ideal for larger volumes. To get your small business ready for tax season and beyond, prepare labels for upcoming years to save time in the future and recycle old folders as needed. This ensures a seamless transition from one tax year to the next!

 

Archive System:

 

Establish an archive system for past tax years. Keep only the current year and the two previous years in your immediate workspace for reference. Use labeled hanging files or expanding file pockets for each year to separate and store them in a designated area, such as a home office or storage space. Make sure these paper documents stay safe from damage by moisture or any other potential cause by using at least a banker’s box or even fire-proof storage.

 

 

Now you’re prepared to get your small business ready for tax season!

 

Implementing these organizing tips will transform your tax season experience from a last-minute scramble to a perfectly planned filing time!

 

From simply managing receipts to creating a digital archive, personalized checklists, and an efficient paper-to-digital filing system, you’ll be well-prepared for stress-free tax filing year after year.

 

Remember, the key is consistency. Find a system that works for you, customize it to your needs, and stick with it. The more you switch around your system the easier it is for pieces to fall through the cracks.

 

As tax season approaches, you’ll appreciate the ease and efficiency of having all your documents in order!

 

If you have secret tips of your own or more questions about how to get your small business ready for tax season, feel free to share them in the comments below!

 

 

 

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Jul 07
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Organizing The Perfect Summer Picnic

By Blog, Checklists, Inspiration No Comments

Organizing the perfect summer picnic is a wonderful way to combine spending quality time with loved ones and enjoying the great outdoors!

 

Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a fun family weekend, arranging a picnic is sure to create beautiful memories. In this article, I’ll be covering everything you need to know about organizing the perfect summer picnic; from choosing the ideal location, packing essential supplies, and planning for any type of unexpected event.

 

And remember to set a great example for your children and others. A successful picnic not only involves enjoying the moment but also taking responsibility for cleaning up afterward!

 

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Organizing The Perfect Summer Picnic

 

Planning the Location

 

Scout and Pick The Perfect Spot:

Finding the perfect picnic spot is important for setting the right vibe! As well as making sure that your just-in-case weather preparations will work as desired if you need to use them.

 

Consider a location with picturesque views if you’d like to take photos, such as a grassy park, beach, or scenic lookout point. Take some time to scout the area in advance and choose a spot that offers enough space for everyone to relax comfortably. In some large, busy cities it can even be required to book your spot and required parking in advance, so make sure to check your favorite park’s requirements well before planning anything else! If kids are coming along, make sure there will be an area for them to play after the meal as well!

 

Check Out Parking Options:

Before the big day, research parking options near your chosen picnic spot. Ensuring convenient parking will save you from any unnecessary hassle or stress on the day of the event and allow you to set up your picnic with ample time. If you’re inviting guests who will be meeting you there, forward any necessary parking information to them as well.

 

Pinpoint the Nearest Public Bathroom:

It’s always wise to be prepared, especially if you’ll be bringing little ones along. Since nobody likes a last-minute scramble while hopping from foot to foot, make sure you have at least one option in mind before the big day. Research where the nearest public bathrooms are so you can provide directions for guests during your picnic.

 

Consider the Area’s Popularity:

This step is important if you want to avoid the disappointment of arriving and finding out your perfect spot has been filled by others! Find out how busy the area typically is on the day you’re planning your picnic. Google Maps can be a good reference if you are going to be at a public park as they have stats of when the busiest days and times are. Either way, plan to arrive early so you can secure your desired spot and not have to set up in a rush.

 

Supplies

 

Seating and Preparation:

Ensure you have comfortable seating by bringing along an outdoor blanket with a waterproof bottom. Some picnickers like to use a mini folding table or tray for a bit more table height and convenience. Additionally, you may want to bring wide, firm pillows for those who prefer sitting above the ground or even picnic chairs if needed.

 

Another way to spruce up the ambiance is to bring a portable speaker and make a curated picnic playlist in advance!

 

Picnic Basket Necessities:

Pack a well-equipped picnic basket or tote bag to store all your picnic necessities. To keep your food in its best condition until the event starts, bring ice packs and even a few extra in case you will need to keep some leftovers cool on the way back.

 

Think about including a camera to capture special moments, sunscreen to protect your skin, bug repellent or a citronella candle to ward off unwanted bug guests, and table decorations to create the imagined atmosphere. To make sure the fun doesn’t stop after eating, don’t forget to bring some cards, a board game, or a light outdoor activity to enjoy after the meal!

 

Serving it Up:

Gather all the necessary serving supplies well in advance. There’s nothing worse than arriving late because you were looking for something last-minute!

 

This includes plates, utensils for eating and serving, napkins, cups, and plenty of water. Bring a bottle opener if you plan on enjoying some beverages that will require one. Pack a cutting board and a sharp knife for any on-site food preparations. Additionally, bring salt, pepper, and any other desired condiments. This is a great time to use those extra condiment packets from takeout places I know we’ve all been “saving!” 😉

 

Cleaning Essentials:

Prepare for easy cleanup by bringing paper towels, wet wipes, some dishtowels (also good for packing plates and breakable items during transit), and extra food containers. Ziploc bags are also handy for packing up dirty utensils or storing leftovers. Pack a few trash and recycling bags to ensure you’re walking away from a clean space afterward. Consider bringing reusable bags to collect and transport your picnic supplies if you plan to bring a lot of items for setup.

 

More Tips

 

Keep it Fresh:

To keep your salads and sandwiches fresh, pack any wet dressings or condiments separately in small jars. Add them to your food once you’ve arrived at the planned picnic spot. This prevents the ingredients from getting soggy during transport!

 

Weather Preparedness:

Always be prepared for unexpected weather conditions when picnicking. Bring blanket weights or other wind deterrents to secure your blanket. If the sun is scorching or there is a possibility of rain, pick a spot with shade from trees, bring a gazebo that’s quick to set up and take down, a pop-up tent, or some large umbrellas.

 

Food Considerations:

Plan your picnic menu in advance, considering any allergies, dietary preferences (vegetarian/vegan), or a specific theme. Think about the ingredients, required preparation time, sealed containers to protect from bugs, and ice coolers for perishable items. If you’re having a potluck-style picnic, use Google Keep’s note feature to share with your guests so everyone is on the same page with what to bring! Pack a variety of drinks for guests to quench their thirst!

 

 

 

A successful picnic involves not only having a fun day with loved ones but also taking responsibility for leaving the environment as you found it (or even better!). Once you’ve finished your meal, be sure to clean up after yourselves. Dispose of trash properly and ensure recyclable items are separated as needed.

 

By practicing good picnic etiquette, you contribute to preserving the beauty of nature and ensure that future picnickers can enjoy the same great experience! So, gather your loved ones, follow this guide, and embark on an unforgettable picnic adventure!

 

Do you have a favorite picnicking spot? Comment below!

 

 

 

 

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Apr 18
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Google Keep: Learn the Basics + Use Key Features

By Blog, Checklists, Digital Minimalism, Digital Organizing No Comments

 

 

Are you someone who makes it all the way to the grocery store before you realize you forgot your shopping list?

 

Or do you just like to wing it? No list at all, taking the risk of wasting money on duplicate ingredients that you already have at home?

 

If you fall into either of these categories or you’re just looking for ways to uplevel your grocery process… then you definitely need this time-saving, note-taking, checklist Google Keep app to simplify your life today.

 

Plus, I’ll be showing you how to share your shopping lists with others so that you can delegate tasks and free up your own time!

 

What is Google Keep used for?

 

If you’re anything like me, I’ll often remember while I’m out and about that I had to pick something up, but then realize I left that sticky note at home so I’m not too sure what it was. This happens so often when I’m driving by a grocery store, hardware store, or in an area of town that I know I had some errands to do in.

So I’ll let you in on my secret… I have a favorite app for shopping lists, errand reminders, and notes, all in one place.

 

This magical solution is called Google Keep!

 

I’ve used this daily and consistently for many years and have found that it saves me so much time and stress on my weekly shopping trips.

 

I’ve tested many other apps but they just didn’t work for me. They weren’t easy to share with others, they costed more money than I felt they were worth, and they weren’t simple enough to use on all kinds of devices.  

What I love about Google Keep is that it works on iOS and Android devices, as well as the good ol’ fashioned desktop computer!

During the week when I notice I’m running low on my favorite coconut yogurt, dish soap, toilet paper, batteries, or other household items, I can simply add them to one of my Google Keep Lists.

 

If there’s a specific brand I like for something, I can also snap a photo and add it to the Grocery List in a pinch.

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How to use Google Keep Notes

 

I’m sure you shop at a few different grocery stores, so I recommend you have one running grocery list. This way, you can refer to it while you’re out at any location. Now if you decide to pick up a few items for dinner, you’ll have your handy list at your fingertips and can cross things off at the same time!

 

I recommend you create shopping lists for the types of stores you frequent on a regular basis.

 

The lists I love to have and recommend you make in your own Google Keep are the following,

  • Costco
  • Home Depot or a Hardware Store
  • Drug Store
  • Garden Center
  • Office Supplies
  • Errands  

 

You can even add your packing lists and other notes in here too, but that’s a whole other story for another time 😉

 

 

Can you share Google Keep with others?

 

Now, here’s the best part of Google Keep. This feature saves me time and it’s how I’ve been able to delegate household grocery shopping to my husband so I don’t have to do it every week!

Also, when he’s at a hardware or drug store he can simply check the lists to see if there’s something specific that I need and easily see which brands I like. In turn, this saves me from having to drive to those same stores again and we don’t have to text back and forth about what I’d like him to pick up.

 

Inside Google Keep, you can share your created lists with family members, teenagers, your nanny, or anyone else that does errands and may help out with your shopping.

For uses in my business, I’ve even shared project lists with clients, team members working on the project, or my client’s nanny who does the grocery shopping. Then when I’m organizing an area of their home and notice that they are low on cleaning products, batteries, or pantry items, I can easily add the items to their grocery list.

 

It’s a time-saver for everyone involved!

 

This app is a great assistant for someone who’s doing grocery shopping for their elderly parents or caring for a loved one. It’s really simple to use and anyone with a phone can learn how to add an item to a list if you show them how, all they need is a Gmail address.

 

They don’t even necessarily need to use the Gmail email. I’ve helped set up many accounts over the years just so someone could be added to a Google Keep List!

 

When adding a collaborator to a Google Keep list, make sure they understand how to add items to the various lists. Then whoever is doing the shopping knows what they’re supposed to buy. This will help you avoid wasting money on the wrong printer toner or kitchen pantry items that you may already have enough of on hand.

 

Keep in mind, that if you want to own the Google Keep List or Note (meaning keep it on your account), the best practice would be to set up the list on your mobile device first, and then add others to it. That way you can manage who is added and deleted from each list.

 

You can also add Google Assistant for a voice-activated, hands-off feature. Add items to your list by saying, “Hey Google, add Almond Butter to Grocery List” then it’s totally off your mind!

 

 

Could you see this saving you time and money?  

 

Let me know in the comments below what shopping lists you’re going to create!

 

 

 

 

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