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	<title>Financial Organizing Archives - Curtis E Organizing</title>
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	<title>Financial Organizing Archives - Curtis E Organizing</title>
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		<title>Unlock Financial Peace of Mind: Create an Emergency Fund</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/unlock-financial-peace-of-mind-create-an-emergency-fund/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Heather Pursley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jul 2023 18:05:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Organizing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://curtiseorganizing.com/?p=33729</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and it&#8217;s crucial to be prepared for any financial curveballs that may come our way. One of the most effective ways to achieve financial peace of mind is by building an emergency fund. Let&#8217;s explore why having an emergency fund matters for your family&#8217;s well-being and how [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/unlock-financial-peace-of-mind-create-an-emergency-fund/">Unlock Financial Peace of Mind: Create an Emergency Fund</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and it&#8217;s crucial to be prepared for any financial curveballs that may come our way. One of the most effective ways to achieve financial peace of mind is by building an emergency fund. Let&#8217;s explore why having an emergency fund matters for your family&#8217;s well-being and how Tina Curtis, the expert professional organizer from CEO Organizing, can help you organize your finances, enabling you to establish and manage your very own emergency fund.</p>
<h5>Why an Emergency Fund Matters</h5>
<ol>
<li><strong>Unexpected Expenses:</strong> Life is unpredictable, and unforeseen expenses such as medical emergencies, home repairs, or job loss can put a strain on your finances. An emergency fund acts as a safety net, providing you with the necessary funds to navigate these unexpected challenges without going into debt.</li>
<li><strong>Peace of Mind:</strong> Having an emergency fund brings peace of mind. Knowing that you have a financial cushion to fall back on in times of crisis allows you to face challenges with confidence, reducing stress and anxiety.</li>
<li><strong>Financial Independence:</strong> An emergency fund empowers you to be self-reliant during difficult times. Instead of relying on credit cards or loans, you can tap into your savings, avoiding high-interest rates and debt accumulation.</li>
<li><strong>Opportunity Seizing:</strong> Aside from emergencies, having an emergency fund can also enable you to seize unexpected opportunities. It could be pursuing further education, starting a business, or investing in a promising opportunity. Your emergency fund can serve as a springboard to propel you toward your goals.</li>
</ol>
<h5>Organize Your Finances with Tina Curtis</h5>
<ol>
<li><strong>Expert Financial Guidance:</strong> Tina Curtis, the certified professional organizer behind CEO Organizing, specializes in helping individuals and families organize their finances. With her expertise, she can guide you through the process of creating and managing an emergency fund tailored to your unique circumstances.</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive Financial Assessment:</strong> Tina will conduct a thorough evaluation of your current financial situation, including income, expenses, debts, and savings. This assessment will provide a clear picture of your financial health and identify areas where adjustments can be made to optimize your savings potential.</li>
<li><strong>Budgeting and Expense Management:</strong> Tina will work closely with you to create a personalized budget that aligns with your financial goals and allows for regular contributions to your emergency fund. She will help you identify areas where expenses can be reduced or optimized, maximizing your savings potential.</li>
<li><strong>Savings Strategies and Automation:</strong> Tina will introduce you to effective savings strategies that fit your lifestyle and income. Whether it&#8217;s setting up automated transfers to your emergency fund or exploring high-yield savings accounts, she will help you establish a system that encourages consistent saving and growth in a way that&#8217;s best for you and your family.</li>
<li><strong>Accountability and Support:</strong> Tina&#8217;s expertise extends beyond the initial consultation. She can provide ongoing support and accountability to ensure you stay on track with your financial goals. Together, you can determine whether check-ins and adjustments to your financial plan will help you maintain momentum and stay motivated.</li>
</ol>
<h5>Ready for Financial Peace of Mind?</h5>
<p>Building an emergency fund is an essential step toward achieving financial security and peace of mind for your family. With the guidance and expertise of Tina Curtis from CEO Organizing, you can organize your finances effectively, establish an emergency fund, and navigate unexpected challenges with confidence. Start your journey toward financial stability today and embrace a future filled with financial independence and opportunity by <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/contact/">contacting Tina</a> for a complimentary consultation.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

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		<div class='author-info'>
			Curtis E Organizing is a professional organizing company founded by Tina Curtis, a certified professional organizer. With over a decade of experience in the organizing industry, Tina has a passion for helping individuals and families declutter and reorganize their homes to create more functional and stress-free living spaces. Tina Curtis holds a certification from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). With her expertise and certifications, Tina is well-equipped to handle any organizing challenge, big or small.
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<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/unlock-financial-peace-of-mind-create-an-emergency-fund/">Unlock Financial Peace of Mind: Create an Emergency Fund</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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		<title>5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting an Organization Project</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/5-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-starting-an-organization-project/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Heather Pursley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:52:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Organizing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://curtiseorganizing.com/?p=33347</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Before diving headfirst into an organization project, it's essential to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve and how to get there. Tina Curtis, Certified Professional Organizer, can help you along the way!</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/5-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-starting-an-organization-project/">5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting an Organization Project</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to organizing your home or finances, it&#8217;s important to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve and how to get there. Before diving headfirst into any organization project, it&#8217;s essential to ask yourself (and a professional organizer such as Tina Curtis, owner of Curtis E Organizing, if you&#8217;re working with one) the following questions:</span></p>
<h5><b>1. What are your goals?</b></h5>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before starting any organizing project, it&#8217;s crucial to understand what you want to accomplish. Are you looking to declutter your home, create a more functional living space, or improve your financial situation? Specific goals will help you stay focused and on track throughout the process.</span></p>
<h5><b>2. What are your time constraints?</b></h5>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Organization projects can take a lot of time and effort, and it&#8217;s important to have a realistic understanding of how much time you can reasonably dedicate to the project. Are you working with a tight deadline? Alternately, are you only able to work on the project during certain times of the day or week? Knowing your time constraints will help you create a schedule that works for you.</span></p>
<h5><b>3. What are your budget constraints?</b></h5>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If not planned out properly, organizing your home or finances can quickly become a pricey undertaking. Therefore, it’s important to have a true understanding of how much money you can spend on the project. Are you working with a tight budget? Are there certain areas of the project where you&#8217;re willing to invest more money? Knowing your budget constraints will help you make smart financial decisions throughout the process.</span></p>
<h5><b>4. What are your &#8220;must-haves&#8221; and &#8220;nice-to-haves&#8221;?</b></h5>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to organizing your home or finances, you should understand the difference between what you <em>truly need</em> and what you <em>simply want</em>. Are there certain items or areas of your home or finances that you simply can&#8217;t live without? Furthermore, are there other areas where you&#8217;re willing to compromise? Knowing the difference between your &#8220;must-haves&#8221; and &#8220;nice-to-haves&#8221; will help you make smart decisions throughout the process.</span></p>
<h5><b>5. Who will be using the organized space/system?</b></h5>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before you start the project, ask yourself who will be using the organized space or system. Are you organizing your home for yourself or your family? Are you organizing your finances for yourself or a business? Knowing who will be using the space or system will help you create a plan that works for everyone.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By asking yourself these questions and working with a professional organizer, you can ensure that your organization project is successful, efficient, and tailored to your specific needs. Tina Curtis, Certified Professional Organizer, can assist you to achieve your goals, saving you time and money, and ensuring the best outcome for your project.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you&#8217;re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of organizing your home or finances, don&#8217;t hesitate to <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/contact/">reach out to us</a> for help. With our years of expertise and experience, we can guide you through the process and help you achieve your goals.</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/5-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-starting-an-organization-project/">5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting an Organization Project</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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		<title>Four Tips to Get Ready for Your Tax Preparer</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/four-tips-to-get-ready-for-your-tax-preparer/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Heather Pursley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2022 12:14:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Organizing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://curtiseorganizing.com/?p=33197</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Make tax season pain-free with these tips you can put into action immediately! We talked to Tonya Willey, Accountant and Account Manager at DTC Bookkeeping about clients who come to her unprepared. “Tax time is not the time to do cleanup. Tax preparers are already overworked, and this is not where they want to put [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/four-tips-to-get-ready-for-your-tax-preparer/">Four Tips to Get Ready for Your Tax Preparer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make tax season pain-free with these tips you can put into action immediately!</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We talked to Tonya Willey, Accountant and Account Manager at </span><a href="https://dtcbookkeeping.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">DTC Bookkeeping</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> about clients who come to her unprepared. “Tax time is not the time to do cleanup. Tax preparers are already overworked, and this is not where they want to put their focus at tax time,” she says. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’ve got an incomplete shoe box full of random receipts taunting you, making that appointment with your tax preparer might be an anxiety-inducing thought. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’ve put together four tips to help calm your uneasiness and put you in a good position for tax time.</span></p>
<h4></h4>
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">1. Create a storage system that works for you</span></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stashing receipts all over the house, telling yourself that you’ll remember to file them later, is how you end up with lost receipts. This could come back to haunt you at tax time when a lost receipt means you can’t claim an expense. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not only this, but Willey also cautions “preparers are liable for the reporting, and I want to be accurate in what you report. If you’re coming to me and your documents are not put together, that puts me at a greater liability. I’m going to tell you you’re not a good fit for my firm.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We say this a lot to our clients: You need a system that is going to work for </span><b><i>you</i></b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Tina Curtis, Professional Organizer, can help you create an effective and efficient system for recordkeeping and document storage. By analyzing your current organizational system (or, let’s be honest, lack thereof), she can make recommendations to simplify and streamline your document storage. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thankfully, there are ways to make your life easier and more organized, which is why we recommend you:</span></p>
<h4></h4>
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">2. Put technology to work for you! </span></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are many apps out there that will help you manage your receipts in a snap- literally. Apps like </span><a href="https://mint.intuit.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mint by Intuit</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> not only help you manage your money more effectively, they make it easy for you to track or capture expenses and flag tax-deductible expenses, all from your phone.</span></p>
<h4></h4>
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">3. Log those miles</span></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new mileage rate for self-employed is $0.625 per mile through the end of the year. Check with your accountant for whether your car usage qualifies for standard mileage deductions. If you do qualify, even short trips can add up to big deductions come tax time. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keeping a timely log of mileage &#8211; for both business and personal use &#8211; can make this deduction easier to claim. Make this task a breeze with a mileage tracker app. If you use a platform like </span><a href="https://quickbooks.intuit.com/accounting/mileage/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Quickbooks</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you can easily track </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">categorize all of your miles using the GPS on your phone. </span></p>
<h4></h4>
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;">4. Start Today To Save Time and Money</span></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I can tell you it will cost customers at least twice as much if they’re disorganized at their first meeting with a tax preparer. Most preparers will send customers away if they don’t have their documentation in order. This means the cost of the initial office visit plus having to come back for another appointment- or two or three,” says Willey, when asked about customers who show up to their appointments unprepared. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The cost of the office visit(s) coupled with potential missed deductions due to poor record-keeping can add up quickly. It’s to your benefit to set aside time to start organizing your records. Reduce your anxiety, save time, and save money. Sounds like a winning plan to us. If this process feels unmanageable or overwhelming, give Tina a call or <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/contact/">send her an email</a>. She offers complimentary, no-obligation consultations and can get you on the path to a bright, organized future! </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/four-tips-to-get-ready-for-your-tax-preparer/">Four Tips to Get Ready for Your Tax Preparer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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		<title>What is a Professional Organizer?</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/what-is-a-professional-organizer/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Heather Pursley]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:29:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Organizing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://curtiseorganizing.com/?p=33158</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Let’s talk about what a professional organizer is and whey they do.  A Professional Organizer assists individuals and businesses improve their organizing systems and process. Their primary goal is creating and maintaining organizational systems by teaching others the basic principles of organization.  As one of their main jobs, Professional Organizers help clients reduce excessive clutter [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/what-is-a-professional-organizer/">What is a Professional Organizer?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s talk about what a professional organizer is and whey they do. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Professional Organizer assists individuals and businesses improve their organizing systems and process. Their primary goal is creating and maintaining organizational systems by teaching others the basic principles of organization. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As one of their main jobs, Professional Organizers help clients reduce excessive clutter (paper, books, clothing, shoes, office supplies, home decor items, etc.) in the home or the office. Additionally, they can assist with financial organization, downsizing, change of life transitions, and other property organization and management.</span></p>
<blockquote><p><b>“Professional organizers tackle the challenge of decluttering by asking non-judgmental questions and providing honest feedback. They know how to get to the root of why some possessions remain untouched and can help a person decide how different types of belongings relate to home organization goals. For unwanted belongings, professional organizers can assist in planning the disposal, recycling, donation, or sale.”</b></p>
<p><b>&#8211;</b><a href="http://www.bobvila.com/articles/professional-organizer/"><b>www.bobvila.com/articles/professional-organizer/</b></a></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some professional organizers, like Tina Curtis of Curtis E Organizing, maintain professional accreditation qualifications with organizations such as </span><a href="https://www.challengingdisorganization.org/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. ICD certification all focuses on chronic disorganization and a holistic approach to working with organizing and productivity clients. Understanding the “why” of disorganization is as important as the “what,” and this understanding enables Tina to directly and compassionately address the underlying issues. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the heart of it, a good professional organizer is an excellent problem solver. From your pantry to your financial records (and everything in between), Tina starts by assessing your current situation. From there, she determines what’s working and what needs improvement. Finally, working with you, she creates a sustainable solution to your organizational problem. Involving you in the process and teaching you how to maintain the newly created organizational system is critical. Anyone can come and clean your home, but if you don’t know how to </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">keep </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">it clean, odds are, it’ll get dirty again- quickly. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Professional Organizer You Can Trust</span></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’re concerned about confidentiality or aren’t comfortable bringing a stranger in to help you manage your clutter, you need to find an organizer you can trust. Tina Curtis has over 30 years of experience and has been serving the Illinois Valley and surrounding areas since 2016. Regardless of whether a confidentiality agreement is in place, you can trust Tina to handle your project with the same expert level of dignity, respect, and professionalism. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Contact Tina Curtis for a complimentary consultation if you’re considering calling in the pros to tackle your organizational issue. After assessing the project scope, she will walk you through the process and what to expect. Get started today at </span><a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/contact/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://curtiseorganizing.com/contact/</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/what-is-a-professional-organizer/">What is a Professional Organizer?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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		<title>Create a Budget You Can Live With</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/create-a-budget-you-can-live-with/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tina Curtis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jul 2022 21:41:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Planning]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://curtiseorganizing.com/?p=33112</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>For some of us, keeping accurate, up-to-date records of all our financial accounts, including where and how much in each account, is a breeze. Then, there’s the rest of us. Knowing exactly how much is coming in monthly vs how much goes out (and what it’s spent on), balancing a budget, or the thought of [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/create-a-budget-you-can-live-with/">Create a Budget You Can Live With</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For some of us, keeping accurate, up-to-date records of all our financial accounts, including where and how much in each account, is a breeze. Then, there’s the rest of us. Knowing exactly how much is coming in monthly vs how much goes out (and what it’s spent on), balancing a budget, or the thought of even <em>creating</em> a budget can be anxiety-inducing. If things are “working,” why bother?</p>
<p>Whether in your personal life or your business, if you’re always forgetting to pay your bills on time or if your debt is growing larger than your monthly income, it’s time to think about financial organization. By taking control over your finances, you can reduce the monthly stress of making sure all your bills are paid and develop financial goals and begin working towards them.</p>
<p>While personal finances are structured differently than a business’s, the principles of financial organization are the same. We are addressing how to create and managed a budget you can live with, which is the first step in any financial management system.</p>
<p>When creating a budget, it’s important to record all your income and expenses openly and honestly so you can accurately assess your complete financial situation.</p>
<p>Keep track of <strong><em>all</em></strong> monthly income and expenses. “Hiding” money or justifying certain purchases outside of your budget will quickly derail any financial plan you make, so now is the time to lay out all your income and spending.</p>
<p>Calculate your income by reviewing the net income on your most recent paystubs. While your gross salary may be a certain number, expenses like taxes, health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, etc., will lower your take-home pay, so it’s important to look at your net income.</p>
<p>Next, determine your expenses by reviewing bank and credit card statements and making notes about what money went where. Every budget has fixed and variable costs.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Fixed costs</strong> are expenses like rent or mortgage, insurance premiums, car payments, subscription fees, etc. Essentially, these are the expenses that are the same every month. We haven’t included utility bills in this list because if you’ve glanced at your electricity bill this month, you know that falls into the variable expenses list. It’s important to have a good handle on what the reliable expenses are first before you can plan for variable costs in your budget.</li>
<li><strong>Variable costs</strong> are expenses that vary from month to month. Groceries, gas, clothing, entertainment, meals out, and yes, utility bills, will vary from month to month. Because these expenses are, well, variable, they can be more challenging to budget for.</li>
</ul>
<p>Once you have an outline of your income and fixed vs variable costs, you can begin to lay out a budget. Is there leftover money at the end of each month? If so, do you have debt you can pay down or a savings or investment account? If you’re running in the red, you can review your variable costs to determine where you can scale back or eliminate entirely from your budget.</p>
<p>Your budget will change over time and should be considered a guideline, not a strict rule. If your income or expenses change, adjust your budget accordingly.</p>
<p><strong>Pro tips to help manage your budget</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Create two bank accounts- one for personal expenses and one for bills. This strategy helps avoid overspending and ensures you have enough in your account to cover your bills.</li>
<li>Keep bills in one place and create a list of recurring bills so you know when to expect them. Don’t risk ruining your credit by forgetting to pay a misplaced bill.</li>
<li>Pay bills the day you get them. Avoid unnecessary late fees and have peace of mind.</li>
<li>Seek professional advice. Establishing a relationship with a financial planning expert, such as Tina Curtis, can assist you with financial planning and decision-making. Whether you have a good budget in place and want guidance on how to optimize it or have never budgeted before, Tina has the experience to guide your financial organization thoughtfully and professionally. <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/contact/">Schedule your complimentary consultation </a>with Tina today.</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/create-a-budget-you-can-live-with/">Create a Budget You Can Live With</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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		<title>What is all this crap really costing you?</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/what-is-all-this-crap-really-costing-you/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tina Curtis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jun 2022 11:00:24 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Simple Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[De-Clutter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Simplicity]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://curtiseorganizing.com/?p=33103</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Storage units are costing you more than you think. One of my clients, let’s call her “Jane,” recently contacted me about getting some help with cleaning out a storage unit belonging to a relative who had passed away. I came to find out that she actually had 3 relatives who had passed away, each leaving [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/what-is-all-this-crap-really-costing-you/">What is all this crap really costing you?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3>Storage units are costing you more than you think.</h3>
<p>One of my clients, let’s call her “Jane,” recently contacted me about getting some help with cleaning out a storage unit belonging to a relative who had passed away. I came to find out that she actually had 3 relatives who had passed away, each leaving behind a storage unit filled with “stuff.” Jane felt overwhelmed by the thought of sorting, managing, and disposing of items from her family members.</p>
<p>She’s not alone.</p>
<p>An average of 1 in every 10 Americans has belongings in a storage unit. The average cost of a small unit in Illinois is $100 a month, or around $1,200 a year. If you want a climate-controlled unit or insurance, you’re looking at even more per month to store items you’re not even using and can’t access easily. Often, storage units end up being more expensive than the items being stored in them.</p>
<p>Along with the financial cost of keeping items in a storage unit, there are usually sentimental or emotional issues at play, too. Like Jane, it can be emotionally overwhelming to sort through the belongings of a loved one who’s passed. Perhaps you don’t have room in your own home for their personal belongings, or you just don’t want them but can’t bring yourself to get rid of them. If the storage unit is for your own belongings, it might feel wasteful or “wrong” to get rid of items you’ve spent your hard-earned money on, so you keep paying the rental fee, month after month. The items often end up left in storage, collecting not just dust but expensive rental fees.</p>
<p>“It’s typically all about procrastination,” says Ann Gambrell, a founder of the National Association of Professional Organizers, who runs decluttering workshops and clutter support groups. “People end up spending money because they can’t make a decision.”</p>
<p>By following three simple rules, you can help minimize your need for long-term storage.</p>
<ul>
<li>Ask yourself if you have used an item in the last 12 months. If not, donate or get rid of it.</li>
<li>If you rarely use it, or if it is something that can be replaced for less than $25.00, let it go. (At $100/month in storage, you’ll have paid for it several times over. Also, items tend to decrease in value over time, so the longer you store them, the less they&#8217;re worth.)</li>
<li>If it is a family item you have inherited, ask yourself if your children really want to deal with it in the event of your passing. Would they really want it? If not, let someone else find joy in it.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you absolutely must place items in storage (such as a relocation for work or home improvement projects, for example), be intentional about your storage unit:</p>
<ul>
<li>Purge and eliminate before purchasing the unit.
<ul>
<li>Be very clear about what you’re storing and why; don’t store items you know you won’t need in the future just because you have a place to put them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Have a plan for the length of time that your items should stay in storage. Set a goal with a time frame to either eliminate or sell the items if necessary.</li>
<li>Shop around – most rental facilities offer minimal fees for the first month, saving you money.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you need help with managing or eliminating your storage unit, <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/contact/">schedule a free consultation</a> with us today.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/what-is-all-this-crap-really-costing-you/">What is all this crap really costing you?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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		<title>Organizing tips to make travel easier &#038; more fun!</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/how-financial-organizing-save-for-travel/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tina Curtis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2020 10:30:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Simple Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Simplicity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spending Plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.curtiseorganizing.com/?p=30969</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Summer has arrived &#38; finally vacation time&#8230;HASSLE, STRESS?? I have a few tips to make travel less stressful (and maybe more relaxing): 2 words&#8230;Travel Agent!  No Really!! This NO CHARGE service is the real deal.  Schedule a meeting with someone who has industry contacts and knowledge who can &#8220;cater&#8221; your trip to you desire or needs. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/how-financial-organizing-save-for-travel/">Organizing tips to make travel easier &#038; more fun!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Summer has arrived &amp; finally vacation time&#8230;HASSLE, STRESS??</p>
<p>I have a few tips to make travel less stressful (and maybe more relaxing):</p>
<ol>
<li>2 words&#8230;Travel Agent!  <strong>No Really!!</strong> This NO CHARGE service is the real deal.  Schedule a meeting with someone who has industry contacts and knowledge who can &#8220;cater&#8221; your trip to you desire or needs. Beach, Disney, Mountains, Family trip?? They do all the research, make reservations and give everything to you in a neat package with all the details at not 1 cent more than if you spent all that time, hassle, aggravation yourself and the cost (in my experience so far) has been cheaper.</li>
<li>Plan to pack &#8211; depending on your trip and destination you probably need LESS than you think! Generally just 2 pair pants, 1 shirt or top for each day and undergarments.  REALLY!  I am a fan of packing cubes (check out this article to make packing easier: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/packing-tips/best-packing-cubes-for-travel) to take just a carry on and skip the baggage carousel.</li>
<li>Plan down time and be flexible.  Sure a ski trip for 5 days in Colorado packed with skiing at 4 places SOUNDS fun, but once you realize the travel between, the cost and the stress&#8230;maybe just 3 slopes with a day off to explore in the Springs, Boulder or another location, so everyone can unwind, regroup and enjoy the next slope or destination.</li>
<li>A little prep before you leave home&#8230;I suggest the following:
<ol>
<li>Put on clean sheets on all the beds and clean the house (if you can afford even a once a year service, NOW IS THE TIME for a deep clean, while you&#8217;re away) to come home to.  You&#8217;ll have enough to do just with laundry catch up.</li>
<li>Schedule a day (better 2) to get back into the routine before returning to school and/or work routine.</li>
<li>If you&#8217;re boarding your beloved pets, pick them up Monday, when everyone is back in their routine. This seems to be less stress on the pets, the kids and probably you too!</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>HAPPY TRAVELS!!</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/how-financial-organizing-save-for-travel/">Organizing tips to make travel easier &#038; more fun!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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		<title>What your College Student needs to know&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/what-your-college-student-needs-to-know/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tina Curtis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Jun 2019 07:30:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Simple Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[College Students]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Graduation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[High School Graduates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finances]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.curtiseorganizing.com/?p=31053</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A Financial Checklist for Your Newly Minted High School Graduate We’ve got budget, retirement account, credit, information security and insurance advice for your independent adult, college student, gap-year taker or future soldier. by Ron Lieber from NYTimes.com Credit Robert Neubecker The summer after high school graduation inevitably includes monthslong encounters with various to-do lists. Extra-long-sheet [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/what-your-college-student-needs-to-know/">What your College Student needs to know&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="css-1vkm6nb ehdk2mb0">
<h2 id="link-23d110f0" class="css-fnr6md e1h9rw200"><span class="balancedHeadline">A Financial Checklist for Your Newly Minted High School Graduate</span></h2>
</div>
<p class="css-1ifw933 e1wiw3jv0">We’ve got budget, retirement account, credit, information security and insurance advice for your independent adult, college student, gap-year taker or future soldier.</p>
<div class="css-79elbk" data-testid="photoviewer-wrapper">
<div class="css-z3e15g" data-testid="photoviewer-wrapper-hidden">by Ron Lieber from NYTimes.com</div>
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<div class="css-1kd6my9 ehw59r12" data-testid="photoviewer-children">
<div class="css-t972an ehw59r13" data-testid="photoviewer-overlay">
<div class="css-12qs6sw ehw59r11" data-testid="photoviewer-captionblock"><span class="css-vuqh7u e1z0qqy90"><span class="css-1ly73wi e1tej78p0">Credit </span>Robert Neubecker</span></div>
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<div data-testid="lazyimage-container"><img decoding="async" class="css-1j5kxti e1t57l6r0" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/05/31/business/31money-03/d818224790804977bfa0e559765a7b57-2-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale" sizes="((min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 1004px)) 84vw, (min-width: 1005px) 60vw, 100vw" srcset="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/05/31/business/31money-03/d818224790804977bfa0e559765a7b57-2-articleLarge.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 600w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/05/31/business/31money-03/d818224790804977bfa0e559765a7b57-2-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 1024w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/05/31/business/31money-03/d818224790804977bfa0e559765a7b57-2-superJumbo.jpg?quality=90&amp;auto=webp 2048w" alt="" /></div>
</div>
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<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">The summer after high school graduation inevitably includes monthslong encounters with various to-do lists.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Extra-long-sheet purchases and milk crates for future collegians. A résumé for job seekers. Thank-you notes for all.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">But let me suggest one more itemized offering: a list of financial tasks. If you want to set your child up properly for college, work, military service and the years beyond, there are several things you ought to do, help them do or teach them before too long.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Got a younger teenager? No time like the present to get started with a lot of this. Is one of your children already in college? You probably haven’t done all of these things yet.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">This list applies to teenagers who face no major mental or physical health challenges. If your child does, revise at will, and please send me your own list via the email address below so I can publish one next year for young people who function differently.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Let’s get started.</p>
<h2 id="link-2ee09f9d" class="css-edk2dh eoo0vm40">FOR EVERY GRADUATE</h2>
<h5 id="link-32a77514" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">BUDGETS</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Begin with a conversation about who is paying for what: room, board, phone, transportation, insurance. Pencil it out with a simple spreadsheet or one of <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://thewirecutter.com/money/best-budgeting-apps-and-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the many budgeting apps</a> that did not exist even a decade ago.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Food costs often flummox teenagers moving out for the first time. Takeout is tempting if they haven’t cooked much. If they splurge for meat, fresh fruits or vegetables at the grocery store, spoilage may take its toll. A practice month or two at home — where you don’t let them cheat by relying on staples like spices and oils already in your pantry — might be useful.</p>
<h5 id="link-543996bc" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">BANKING</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">First bank account? Teach your teenager to balance a checkbook. Turn off overdraft protection to enforce budgeting and avoid fees, or at least make certain he or she knows how high fees are. Set up low-balance alerts. Install the institution’s app.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Are adults providing some funds from time to time? Make sure the transfer mechanism from their accounts is seamless and free of fees. Then, test how long it takes for the money to land.</p>
<h5 id="link-4f04051c" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">MOBILE PAYMENTS</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Many teenagers are more facile with money-transfer apps like Venmo than adults. But when you can push money to anyone in an instant, mistakes will happen. And it may not be easy to fix them quickly.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Begin by <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://venmo.com/about/security/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">setting up</a> multifactor authentication and a PIN. Believe the warnings Venmo issues about not using the app to pay people you don’t know. Use the app’s <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://help.venmo.com/hc/en-us/articles/115010772908-Venmo-Codes-FAQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">code system</a> — or at least the user profile picture — to be certain you’re paying the correct Emily Smith.</p>
<h5 id="link-742910e6" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">INFORMATION HYGIENE</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Speaking of mobile payment apps, just how good is your teenager’s password? Is it something a rogue piece of thieving software could easily guess? Has your child repeated passwords across sites in a way that might leave them vulnerable? This is a good time to ask.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Identity theft doesn’t just happen electronically. Make sure your child’s Social Security card isn’t in a wallet; it’s better to carry the number in memory. Moreover, help your teenager learn when not to share it.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Debbie Schwartz, founder of the <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.road2college.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Road2College website</a>, heard from her daughter that her sorority was asking after her Social Security number. “She questioned why, and they didn’t have a good answer,” she said. Her daughter never handed it over.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Doctors often ask for a Social Security number. Have your child ask if the doctor truly needs it, or leave the spot blank on an intake form and see if anyone cares.</p>
<h5 id="link-3c5865c0" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">DOCTORS, INSURANCE CARDS, MEDS</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Has your child ever made a doctor’s appointment? Fix that. Outsource form management as well. My teenager was twice as fast as me on the tablets that many doctors use for intake these days anyway, so good riddance to all that paperwork.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Your children can stay on your health insurance plan <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.healthcare.gov/young-adults/children-under-26/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">until the age of 26</a>, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. If you plan on having them pitch in for deductibles, it’s probably time to sit down and explain how your family coverage works. At the very least, they need to know what a co-pay is.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">According to the scores of parents who responded to my query on Grown and Flown, a <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://grownandflown.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a> and <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.facebook.com/grownandflown/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook group</a> for parents of teenagers and young adults, filling a prescription for the first time is filled with interesting obstacles, especially on refills for regular but essential medicines. So introduce your child to the various insurance cards and account numbers he or she needs, and do a walk-through with your local druggist or whatever mail-order pharmacy your insurance company forces you to use.</p>
<h5 id="link-77ed0aab" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">THE W-4 TAX FORM</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Most employers that issue formal paychecks will require your teenager to fill out the Internal Revenue Service’s <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">W-4 form</a>. So review it to explain what it is and what kind of taxes, if any, your teenager might pay.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Do you get confused when you have to fill out your own every so often? There’s no shame in that, and the I.R.S. has a <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-withholding-calculator" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">calculator</a> that can help. And if it looks like too much money, or too little, is showing up in the first check after the withholding of taxes that you specified, you can revise the form.</p>
<h5 id="link-ab69a68" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">ROTH INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">If <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/the-power-of-saving-exploring-the-mathematics-of-compound-interest/">compound interest</a> isn’t officially the eighth wonder of the world, then it ought to be. The sooner teenagers start saving, the more they could benefit from its magic as it unfolds over a half-century or more.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Show your teenager a chart of the vastly higher returns possible for those who begin earlier, like <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://twitter.com/ronlieber/status/865216293192048641" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the one I tweet out</a> from time to time. Then, set your child up in a <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/02/your-money/individual-retirement-account-iras/for-teenagers-starting-and-saving-in-a-roth-ira.html?module=inline">Roth I.R.A</a>., where money can grow tax-free for decades and isn’t subject to taxes once it’s withdrawn in retirement.</p>
<p>You can open a Roth I.R.A. only for someone who has already earned money working, but it doesn’t matter how young the person is. If there isn’t much money, that’s fine; getting started early is partly about making savings a habit.</p>
<div class="css-53u6y8">
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0"><a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/retirement/turbocharge-childs-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fidelity</a>, <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://investor.vanguard.com/ira/how-to-open-an-ira" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vanguard</a> and other brokerage firms offer ways to open an account for next to nothing in fees.</p>
<h5 id="link-41f6ac90" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">AUTHORIZED USER CREDIT CARD</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Many young people have spotty credit reports for the first few years of adulthood. Perhaps they’re confused by our confounding student loan system and miss a few payments early on, or they miss other bills here and there before someone explains that every late payment matters.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Parents can help set a good baseline by getting what’s known as an “authorized user” card in a child’s name. Even if you just put it away in a drawer, away from temptation, your own regular payments will accrue to your child’s formerly blank credit report.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Card companies handle these accounts in different ways. You’ll want to ask whether an authorized user needs to be a certain age, whether there’s an annual fee for the extra card and whether the card company will penalize children if parents pay their own bills late.</p>
<h5 id="link-56234fc0" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">CREDIT FREEZES</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0"><a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/18/your-money/a-childs-vulnerability-to-identity-theft.html?module=inline">Child identity theft</a> is a problem, and the three big credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — have grudgingly begun to allow people under 18 to freeze their credit files. When a file is frozen, creditors generally won’t open a new account because they can’t check the applicant’s credit. That should stop thieves who are trying to impersonate your child.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Setting up a freeze is a bit of an ordeal, and I’ve written a <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/28/your-money/credit-freeze-children.html?module=inline">column-length guide</a> to the process and <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/your-money/equifax-credit-freeze-child.html?module=inline">a follow-up</a> on how Equifax was making it needlessly difficult for some people. But it’s worth the effort.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">A credit freeze isn’t supposed to prevent you from adding your child as an authorized user on your credit card. But just to be safe, it’s probably best to wait to set one until after you have an authorized user card in hand.</p>
<h2 id="link-1af5ecf5" class="css-edk2dh eoo0vm40">FOR THE COLLEGE BOUND</h2>
<div class="css-53u6y8">
<h5 id="link-2da533" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">FAFSA</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">When applying for financial aid, which includes the ability to gain access to the federal student loan system, families must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. It contains lots of financial information, including household income. Students and a parent are both supposed to sign it and <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/help/signature-page" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">attest to its accuracy</a>. If your child was an active participant in filling out the form, great. If not, go over it now.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">It’s as good a time as any to talk to your teenager about <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/your-money/why-you-should-tell-your-kids-how-much-you-make.html?module=inline">how much money you make</a>. After all, if your child aspires to a life like the one you’ve provided (or wants to live larger or thinks less will do), he or she needs some context. This knowledge can influence your child’s choice of major, so better to have it now.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Worried about children blabbing? Remind them that most people don’t care about your family income and that if they talk about their parents’ higher-than-average earnings, people will probably think they’re a jerk.</p>
<h5 id="link-5cc2abd4" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">STUDENT-LOAN SPREADSHEET</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Students borrowing from the federal government will get different loans at different times over their college years. Keeping a running tab and a list of loan numbers is a good idea so you can be organized <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/17/your-money/paying-for-college/a-beginners-guide-to-repaying-student-loans.html?module=inline">when repayment begins</a>.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">If your undergraduate is already a few years in, you can look up all of his or her federal loans via the <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://nslds.ed.gov/nslds/nslds_SA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Student Loan Data System</a>. Got private loans? You’ll need to contact your lenders for information.</p>
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<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Once you have the data you need, make a list so you have everything in one place. The internet is filled with <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;ei=Dv7nXJu2Bce-ggeuvaXoBA&amp;q=STUDENT+LOAN+SPREADSHEET&amp;oq=STUDENT+LOAN+SPREADSHEET&amp;gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0..32718...0.0..0.0.0.......0......gws-wiz.yGFHl3uyvqQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">simple spreadsheet templates</a>that make this easier.</p>
<h5 id="link-59ba4841" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">HEALTH DATA AND PRIVACY</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Once children turn 18, they have all the grown-up privacy rights that come from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the power to make their own medical decisions. This can create challenges when a student gets sick or is incapacitated, and parents are sometimes shocked to find that paying tuition doesn’t necessarily give them overarching authority or instant access to information.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Parents who want to preserve some authority and access will want to consider filling out two forms, according to Molly E. Philipps, chief counsel of the civil division of the student legal services group at Ohio State University.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">First, there’s the health care power of attorney, which some people call a medical power of attorney or a health care surrogacy form. This form gives someone else the ability to make medical decisions for someone who is incapacitated, and it may also grant the right to see the patient’s medical records. Not every undergraduate will like the idea of granting access to health records, so be prepared for a possibly complicated discussion.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">The second form, a Hipaa release, might seem duplicative, given that it also provides access to medical records. But Ms. Philipps said the Hipaa document extended that access even after a person’s death, which makes it useful if the quality of care is a source of dispute.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">General Hipaa releases exist on the internet, but it’s worth asking each medical practitioner or a university health services or counseling office whether it has its own proprietary forms that it wants families to use.</p>
<h5 id="link-4f5ed808" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">GRADES AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Even if you’re paying every penny of your child’s college tuition, you do not have the right to see his or her grades or disciplinary record.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">The federal Family Educational Rights Privacy Act sets the rules for who gets to see what when. If you want access to your child’s grades, you’ll have to have that (perhaps challenging) conversation first and then have your child sign a release, probably through the college registrar’s office.</p>
<h5 id="link-34491f71" class="css-1gx894m e1gnsphs0">INSURANCE</h5>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Ms. Philipps at Ohio State has seen it all, given that hers is one of the largest collections of undergraduates in the United States. And insurance problems come across her desk more than you might think.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">When it comes to automobiles, she encourages parents to talk to their insurance companies about liability coverage if a student is going to be living in a different state for a while. Planning on removing your student from the family insurance policy while he or she is on campus? You may want to reconsider: People sometimes drive their friends’ cars.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Off-campus landlords sometimes require <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/02/your-money/home-insurance/renters-insurance-offers-a-hedge-against-dorm-room-mayhem.html?module=inline">renters insurance</a>, so you may be shopping for a policy whether you want to or not. Even if you have thorough homeowners insurance that extends to an on-campus child, a separate policy may be a better bet. Your own deductible may be high enough that a stolen iPad isn’t worth a claim — especially if it might still cause your premiums to surge.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Health insurance is a particularly thorny topic: Some colleges and universities push their own policies, and campus or local clinics often maintain their own idiosyncratic insurance rules.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">My colleague Roni Caryn Rabin wrote <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/07/well/family/do-college-students-need-the-campus-health-plan.html?module=inline">an excellent primer</a> on all of this two years ago, walking readers through the insurance questions they should ask: Does the campus health center take my family plan? What are the costs if it doesn’t? Is there an in-network doctor near campus? What about the type of specialist my child needs to see regularly?</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Once you sort your situation out, you can explain to your child what, if anything, care might cost.</p>
<h2 id="link-7e9092ac" class="css-edk2dh eoo0vm40">FOR THE ENLISTED</h2>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Helping a teenager who is about to enlist is a trickier matter. Your authority is diminished — you’re not writing tuition checks, and your child will no longer be living with you. And some young adults may have chosen this path in part because they seek independence at the earliest possible age.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Nevertheless, most teenagers don’t know what they don’t know about money. (Middle-aged people too, for that matter.) And a multiyear stint in the military is a real job with benefits that would be foolish to ignore. So try to at least get a few things under their noses if you can.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">The <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Army</a>, <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.navy.com/what-to-expect/navy-benefits-compensation-and-pay" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Navy</a>, <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.airforce.com/careers/pay-and-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Air Force</a>, <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.marines.com/being-a-marine/benefits.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marines</a> and <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.gocoastguard.com/active-duty-careers/enlisted-opportunities/receive-pay-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Coast Guard</a> all have their own websites that outline salary and benefits. The Marine Corps cleverly directs interested parties to a recruiter who can answer questions. Here are two you might suggest asking of a more experienced enlisted person: What benefit have you valued most, and which one do you wish you had known about or started using sooner?</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Starting an automatic savings habit ought to be high on the priority list, and members of the military have access to the government’s Thrift Savings Plan to prepare for retirement. The Consumer Federation of America coordinates a campaign called <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://militarysaves.org/for-savers/savings-tools-and-resources" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Military Saves</a>that can help both with establishing financial goals and making plans to meet them.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Young adults getting regular paychecks for the first time are prime targets for shady financial services companies. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/practitioner-resources/servicemembers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Office of Servicemember Affairs</a> sends out email blasts and maintains social media accounts that provide tips. It has also published <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/military-financial-lifecycle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a number</a> of useful guides to borrowing money safely and dealing with debt collectors if things go awry.</p>
<p class="css-18icg9x evys1bk0">Finally, there are the education benefits that come with military service. It’s not too soon to start thinking about how the <a class="css-1g7m0tk" title="" href="https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">G.I. Bill</a> can help pay for higher education, including vocational training.</p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/what-your-college-student-needs-to-know/">What your College Student needs to know&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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		<title>Tails of Url</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/tails-of-url/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tina Curtis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Jun 2019 02:13:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Simple Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unexpected Expenses]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.curtiseorganizing.com/?p=31044</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>So, in a previous post, we talked about Url and his expensive accident.  He&#8217;s had a few other medical issues over the past two years, including a blood born issue that could have ended his short life, a bite from a very aggressive 13 striped ground squirrel, an eye abrasion and the loss of a [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/tails-of-url/">Tails of Url</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So, in a previous post, we talked about Url and his expensive accident.  He&#8217;s had a few other medical issues over the past two years, including a blood born issue that could have ended his short life, a bite from a very aggressive 13 striped ground squirrel, an eye abrasion and the loss of a bit of his tail (which did grow back).</p>
<p>NOW&#8230;back to the reason for today&#8217;s post. When Url had his broken leg, he went through a cast every week&#8230;well, most weeks. One particular week the process had complications!</p>
<p>I had to go out of state and Url had a bladder infection during his cast weeks and we did not want to leave him in care of a friend or have to keep him at the vet, so my wonderful husband stayed home with Url and I boarded the first of a flight (of 2) and started my trip.</p>
<p>The trip was longer and complicated by the fact that my connecting flight was cancelled, so finally arriving at my destination well after midnight and headed to my hotel.</p>
<p>Finally checking in just before 1 am&#8230;.I was startled awake at 5 am by a call, when I answered, there was only (and I&#8217;m not exaggerating) &#8220;Where&#8217;s his cast, where&#8217;s his cast&#8221;&#8230;.My reaction was &#8220;Who is this?&#8221;.</p>
<p>Slowly waking, realized that before I left (now in a different time zone), Url was going in for his weekly cast change and to see how his infection was doing&#8230;.so as the lady on the other end is rambling on about the cat and being &#8220;dropped off&#8221; with no cast, simply answered &#8221; I don&#8217;t know, didn&#8217;t you put one on yesterday? It&#8217;s 5 am and I didn&#8217;t drop him (there)&#8221;!!</p>
<p>Once realizing what was going on, she took my husbands phone # and hung up.</p>
<p>Now wide awake, texted the following to my husband&#8230;&#8221;so, what&#8217;s up with Url&#8221;?</p>
<p>He was just mortified!  He called me and told he had the cast in the car. He had dropped off Url in his crate when he arrived (as soon as they opened) and was told by the intake person it would be a bit&#8230;so he went up the road for a cup of coffee. The &#8220;cast&#8221; was never mentioned, so he didn&#8217;t think to bring it in at the time.</p>
<p>So how does a cat come to be without a cast&#8230;No idea, we know this much: when Url hobbled behind my husband for &#8220;shower time&#8221; he had his cast on, once out of the shower, Url was on the bath mat grooming his leg&#8230;you can imagine the confusion as as my husband wondered how did he get out of his cast and where is it (just outside the bathroom door).</p>
<p>We have no idea how he go out and our vet had never had that happen, figures it would be Url.</p>
<p>Url didn&#8217;t seem to mind one bit, he rather seemed to be happy to be free of the cast to groom what I can imagine was an itchy leg, if only temporarily.</p>
<p>We love Url and have learned to expect the unexpected with him.  He has not been a cheap cat, but he brings us so much joy (and so many &#8220;treats&#8221; and &#8220;gifts&#8221; in appreciation) and is a favorite with the grandsons.</p>
<p>This photo is Url with the boys.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-31048" src="https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Url-with-Boys-2019-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Url-with-Boys-2019-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Url-with-Boys-2019-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Url-with-Boys-2019-1080x1440.jpeg 1080w, https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Url-with-Boys-2019.jpeg 1164w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" /></p>
<p>Watch for the next installment &#8211; Url of LaMoille!! Coming this Summer.</p>
<p>In the interim, if you need assistance with your personal, business or household finances, please give me a call for a complimentary consultation.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/tails-of-url/">Tails of Url</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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		<title>More on Url&#8230;How it Happened!</title>
		<link>https://curtiseorganizing.com/more-on-url-how-it-happened/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tina Curtis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Apr 2019 14:32:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Financial Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Organizing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Simple Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emergency Fund]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Finances]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pet Insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spending Plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Unexpected Expenses]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.curtiseorganizing.com/?p=31003</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In last weeks blog, I posted how &#38; why out cat, Url, was an example of why someone might need an emergency fund. Url is fine!  I&#8217;ve included a recent photo at the end of the post. Just about 2 years ago, I woke to see Url&#8217;s little body in the middle of the highway [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/more-on-url-how-it-happened/">More on Url&#8230;How it Happened!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In last weeks blog, I posted how &amp; why out cat, Url, was an example of why someone might need an emergency fund.</p>
<p>Url is fine!  I&#8217;ve included a recent photo at the end of the post.</p>
<p>Just about 2 years ago, I woke to see Url&#8217;s little body in the middle of the highway that we live on.  I was devastated and my husband was sure that he was going to pick up his dead body&#8230;.even having to wait for 3 cars to drive over his still body (they did NOT run him over).</p>
<p>When the road was clear he looked down at the poor kitten and said &#8220;Aww, Url&#8221;&#8230;with that Url started screaming, he was ALIVE!  We were so surprised,  We do not know how long he had been in the road or how he survived.</p>
<p>We rushed him to our vet about 10 miles away&#8230;on the ride over, he sighed so heavy I thought he died in my arms&#8230; but he had just realized he was being held and relaxed a bit.</p>
<p>Url was hypothermic, his 3rd eyelid had closed over, he was in shock and he had a BADLY broken leg.  He was in the veterinarian version of ICU from that Wednesday morning until Saturday afternoon.</p>
<p>After that we had to take him in weekly for exam, cast changes (that&#8217;s another post) and medicine, as he developed an infection along the way.</p>
<p>So, why am I updating you, because we all LOVE our own pets, but they can be expensive and worrying about how you are going to pay for your pets care and care for your pet as they recover can be very stressful.  I know I was able to best concentrate on Url&#8217;s recovery and not his vet bill.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-31004" src="https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20180908_175918-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20180908_175918-300x225.jpg 300w, https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20180908_175918-768x576.jpg 768w, https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20180908_175918-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20180908_175918-510x382.jpg 510w, https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20180908_175918-1080x810.jpg 1080w, https://curtiseorganizing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20180908_175918-1320x990.jpg 1320w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>Check back next month for more &#8220;TAILS OF URL&#8221;</p>
<p>If you want help to build an emergency fund, call me at 847-421-8651!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com/more-on-url-how-it-happened/">More on Url&#8230;How it Happened!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://curtiseorganizing.com">Curtis E Organizing</a>.</p>
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