Making a list and checking it once . . .

As we get ready to enter the last quarter of the year, I've spent some time reviewing my progress on this "Year of the Goal" and determined a couple of things.

1.  First, my bill binder just wasn't working out for me.  I've discovered that we keep too many receipts, invoices, and statements to use a binder to file them in.  So it's back to the file cabinet for those things.  I downsized my binder to a 1" binder.   This binder still contains a pencil pocket with my stamps, pens, checks, envelopes, etc.    I have narrowed my sections down to:

• My Weekly Planner.  This is a checklist tool that I created from several different checklists.  I hope that by using this, I can stay on track.    This checklist is simply designed to help me stay organized by providing daily reminders of the things I should be doing.  It also contains an inspirational/motivational quote and a "This Week I am Thankful for" section.  Click Here to download a copy for your personal use.

• Our Monthly Bill Calendar.  This is simply a calendar page for each month with the bills written on their due date.  As I pay the bills, I mark through them on the calendar.  At the end of the month, I remove that page from my binder.   A simple system that works for me.

• Our Budget.  This section contains a printed copy of our budget.  Mostly for my husband to take a gander at every now and then. 
• Our debt reduction Plan.  This section contains a printed copy of the debt reduction plan for the items I am working on paying off right NOW.  I find it much less stress to work on 3 or 4 items at a time rather than trying to see the entire big mess picture that is our debt.  

2.  We've really come a long way this year working on our goals. I'm looking forward to finishing up the year in good shape.

And on that happy note, we spent the Labor Day weekend at Jekyll Island Campground enjoying great fishing, great food, and great company.