Checklist: Getting Organized

Things to do this weekend with your money:

How well does your financial filing system really work for you? Now may be a better time to do an assessment than at tax time, when you’re struggling to find your receipts, or at the end of the year, when holiday plans can stymie attempts to reorganize.

Today: Investigate other filing systems

Shoe boxes and Manila envelopes might work for some, but stationery and office supply stores offer more sophisticated systems that not only help you organize but guide you about what to keep and how long to keep it.

Saturday: Get some guidance

If your problem is maintaining your system, consider reading a few books such as Julie Morgenstern’s “Organizing from the Inside Out” or Georgene Lockwood’s “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Organizing Your Life.”

Sunday: Put as many bills as possible on automatic

Automatic deductions from your checking account save you the hassle of writing checks and keep you from paying late fees (not to mention preventing the damage to your credit rating should you forget to pay a bill). Most utilities and mortgage lenders encourage automatic payments and many other vendors allow them as well. Check your bill statements for how to set up automatic payments, or call their toll-free numbers for more information.