S.O.S. Blog #4 - 04/15/10

Tax Day! Time to get serious if you didn’t file an extension. Taxes are such a headache, aren’t they? What do we get for all our hard-earned money? Schools, roads, fire and police protection, snow plows, street sweepers, parks, highway landscaping, bridges, prisons, and much more. Some would say we get corrupt elected officials and waste. Which is true, but that would probably happen even without taxes. Personally, I love to pay taxes. Really! I’ve lived through years when I didn’t make enough money to pay much in taxes and years when I paid what seemed like a bundle. Believe me, the bundle years were better. I’ve lived places that didn’t have many state taxes and in MN where we pay quite a lot. Believe me, Minnesota is better. I like having schools, roads, fire and police protection, snow plows, street sweepers, parks, highway landscaping, bridges, prisons, and all the other services I get for my tax dollars. Of course, it’s also up to me to pay attention to how those dollars are spent and vote for the politicians I feel can be trusted to support my best interests. Sometimes that works, and sometimes it doesn’t. But, for the most part I’m happy with the quality of life taxes offer. And - like any responsibility - when I don’t pay attention, it costs me time, money, trust. If I don’t want the job, then I shouldn’t complain too loudly about the ones doing it. As long as they do their honest best.

Positive Spin Tip #4: We’ve reached the next step of the G.I.G.G.L.E.™ process. Once you GET MOVING you’ll want to IDENTIFY: What is it? What is its purpose? Into what category does it belong? Does it fit and function well where it is now? (Maybe our elected officials should G.I.G.G.L.E.™ more often!) This step is crucial to moving on to the next “G.” Before you can GROUP like items together, you need to IDENTIFY them. When preparing to organize a drawer, cupboard, shelf, or closet, gather empty containers and markers or sticky notes to label them. Then, as you IDENTIFY each item, you can GROUP like objects or documents together in a labeled box, basket, file, or other container. Watch future blogs for more details on sorting through clutter (paper, computer, stuff). If you need help getting your G.I.G.G.L.E.™ process to work, a phone or on site consultation may be the answer. Just let me know - Susi@MessDistress.com