Organize Essential Documents

The National Association of Professional Organizers reports that most people identify paper as their biggest organizing problem. The most daunting task is knowing where to start.

Consider dividing your paper problem into categories. Some suggested topics are current mail, bills, correspondence, essential documents. Then decide how you will separate each major category into smaller segments that will allow you to file the documents as they come in, act on them in a timely manner, then archive them for an appropriate amount of time.

Give special consideration to essential documents-those records that you might need for emergency, legal or financial consideration. These documents need to be safeguarded in a waterproof, fireproof safe that can be removed from the home if there is some type of emergency that requires evacuation. Some folks keep these documents in safety deposit boxes in banks. If that is your choice, you should consider keeping copies safeguarded at home so you can easily access them if, for some reason, the bank is not open to you. That scenario happened recently in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. With copies you can at least transact business and obtain substitute originals from the source if necessary.

Here are a few essential documents to include in your emergency file:

Documents that deal with identification like birth certificates, Social Security cards, adoption orders, citizenship papers, marriage certificates and divorce/separation papers.

Documents that deal with insurance like life and health insurance policies including dental and disability, home owners or renters insurance policies, automobile and boat insurance policies and umbrella insurance policies.

Documents that deal with personal and business finance including checking and savings account information, investment accounts, titles and deeds to real estate and other personal property such as cars and boats, stock and bond certificates, and loan agreements.

Estate planning documents including will and trust documents and durable power of attorney for health and finance.

Pulling these important documents together and filing them in a safe place is a good start to organizing paper.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Funeral Organization

I attended too many funerals last week. Come to think of it, I have attended too many funerals –period. It is always sad when someone passes and leaves those who love her or him to move on through this world without the comfort of their loved one. But funerals are inevitable and can be a true celebration of the life of the deceased.

A lot depends on how the funeral ceremony is organized. Some people receive a true gift from the deceased when they are left with clear instructions about what their loved one wished to have happen. In that circumstance, it is much easier to communicate those wishes to the funeral director and make necessary arrangements. Too often, however, no communication has taken place and the surviving family is left with the task of making decisions at a time when grief makes it more difficult.

Good funeral directors do a tremendous job in handling the details of the funeral, but there are still a lot of decisions that have to be made by the family. Here is a short list to think about. It is by no means inclusive of all the tasks that must be done:

Will there be a burial or cremation?
If burial, the coffin must be selected, the clothes for the deceased selected, the place of burial selected and arrangements made with management at the location.
If cremation, a repository for the ashes must be selected and a decision made about whether ashes will be scattered, interred or kept with the family.

Will there be a memorial service?
Will it be located at a church, a funeral home chapel, or at the graveside?
If at the church or funeral home, will you use pallbearers and who will they be?
What kind of flowers, if any, do you want for the coffin or receptacle?
Would you prefer for friends to send flowers or donate to a favorite charity?
Will there be music? What selections and how will they be performed?
How will family members be transported to the service and returned home?
Will the family receive visitors before or after the service and where is the reception?

How will you announce the death?
Newspaper obituary column is the traditional means of making the announcement. There may be select people that require a personal call. In these technological times, some people are selecting mass e-mail as a way to make friends and colleagues aware of funeral arrangements, sometimes providing a link to the newspaper obituary or funeral home web site.

Who will participate in delivering a message and or a eulogy?
These individuals need to be notified in time to schedule time to be there and to prepare their messages. They also need to know any favorite scriptures, verses or songs of the deceased or the family.


This is just the beginning of the many little decisions that have to be made at the time a funeral is being planned. Consider discussing your preferences with those you love and asking about theirs? It really is an act of love.


Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

Time Organization for the Busy Family

Here are a few hints for managing time with a busy family:

• Post a family schedule where everyone can access it.

• Plan meals weekly and shop once. Consider doing some of your grocery shopping on line. Amazon.com is a good way to shop for staples and have them delivered to your door. Locally, you can order your groceries from Farm Fresh Internet Express (www.Farmfreshsupermarkets.com) and for a small processing fee; they will do your shopping and have it ready for you to pick up. You can even use their Internet Express feature to create your shopping list. It will print up with the items listed by aisle.

• Use a calendar with pockets for birthday cards, appointment reminder cards, etc. Avalanche Publishing (www.Avalanchepub.com) makes many versions that are available direct from the publisher or at Barnes & Noble, Kohl’s and Sam’s Club.
  
  
  Just a few simple timesavers can give you the time you need to get things done.
  
  Beverly & Kristen
  www.KeyTransitions.net