Advice
Welcome to our advice section. Every week I answer new questions submitted
by readers on Organizing, Image, Fashion and Event Planning.
You can read my "AddSPACE To Your Life!" column every week
in San Diego's “The Coast News" or read the archived columns
below.
E-mail your questions to advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
Your needs come first in a
home office
Kathi,
I need help setting up my home office space. I have recently started
a home based business after working in corporate environment for years.
Darron, Rancho Santa Fe
Darron,
Congratulations on becoming your own boss. You now have the perfect
opportunity to create an effective work area suited to your tastes.
Whether it's a nook, cranny or a separate room, your work area should
be conducive to performing your daily work.
A well-equipped workspace will contain all necessary supplies and
equipment within arms reach. Larger tools like fax machines and printers
should be set up in areas with easy access.
Use a desk caddy. Keep a sufficient supply of pens, pencils, paper
clips scissors and other supplies in a desktop holder or a tray inside
a desk drawer.
Make sure to keep 2/3 of your desktop cleared at all times. It is
easier to function and maintain focus when your desk space is open
and free of clutter.
Mimic the corporate environment by creating forms for everyday tasks.
For example, type up a personalized Fax Transmittal Form that includes
your company name, phone number and other pertinent information. Make
copies and leave them by your fax machine for quick and efficient
fax transmissions. Create standard email signatures for your email
correspondence.
Adhere to a daily routine and schedule. Maintain focus on your long-range
goals (life and business) as you go about your daily tasks. Consider
whether the busy-ness you are involved in is directly related to your
long-term goals. Keep your schedule constantly aligned with the specific
reason that you began working for yourself and you will go far.
Dear
Kathi,
This year my taxes took an overwhelming amount of time to prepare
for my accountant. How can I reduce the time I spend next year organizing
my taxes?
Rita, Cardiff by the Sea
Rita,
Keep all of your tax related receipts together. Maintain an envelope
in your purse or a section in your wallet to hold tax-related receipts.
Pull these receipts regularly and file them into a pre- designated
tax archive system. Filing cabinets, expanding pocket files, or a
box with sections will suffice. Whatever system you choose, separate
your receipts by tax category.
If you are unsure about which categories to use, refer to your last
tax return. If you itemize your deductions, you will see which categories
to copy. Duplicate these within your filing system. Next year you
will simply total each category to determine the sum for each individual
deduction.
If you want to go a step further and really simplify your tax process,
put your finances into a computer bookkeeping program. QuickBooks
is an excellent tool and well worth the time invested learning the
program.
With QuickBooks, you should be able to prepare for taxes in less than
five minutes next year. You’ll simply print a profit & loss
report and a balance sheet. You could even forgo the in-person appointment
and email these reports to your accountant.
Another advantage of using a computer for your bookkeeping is that
you should be able to reconcile your bank accounts effortlessly every
month. Streamline your finances and minimize your headaches. Learn
QuickBooks, file your receipts regularly and next year you will be
able to prepare for your taxes in a snap!
Please
submit your questions to:
advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
.
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