OverHall IT!
Vol. 5 Issue 4
Just reading this newsletter won't get you organized...
YOU must take some action!
Organizing Newsletter for Your Life - OverHall IT!
Circulation 6,361
Vol. 5 Issue 4
Publisher: Janet L. Hall mailto:janet@overhall.com
http://www.overhall.com
(c) OverHall Consulting 2004
Administration information located at end of newsletter
Help Me Help Others Heal Their Environments and Get
Organized - Please forward my newsletter onto those you know
who might need or like OverHall IT!
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Welcome and Happenings
2. OverHalling and Balance
3. Tips for Professional Organizers
4. Organizing Tips and Tools
5. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
6. Guest Article
1. Welcome and Happenings
I took the summer off from writing and now I'm back, finally in
Oct. Time sure does fly!
I have three exciting announcements this issue:
1) Check out my 50th Birthday Celebration Event. Yes I can't
believe it either, I'm 50 years young today so I'm giving all
of you presents.
See
http://www.overhall.com/organizing_special.htm for
organizing, feng shui, and web marketing products or services on
specials that you won't want to miss if you really want to get
organized, get a consultation or training, run a professional
organizing or web site business.
2) The email course of how to sort and organize all your home
papers is finally finished. To read about how it works, what you
can expect, and to sign up for it please see my newest web site
http://www.paperclutter.com
3) I have finally gotten the discussion board back online. It's new
so there is not much there so please visit and post some tips,
questions or just share. You can access the discussion board at
http://www.overhall.com/phpBB
They say writers write about what they need to learn, lessons
they need to learn, or actions they need to take in their life. I
believe that can sometimes be true and that's why I'm starting out
my "reruns" with my getting your finances organized articles. You
see, many of you might have read the articles published back in
2000, many of you might have actually completed the exercises;
however, many of you, myself included, might not have reviewed
your finances with as much detail as one should in awhile. With
interest rates still low, if you own a home or are thinking of
purchasing property, this is a great time to review or get your
finances organized.
I reviewed all my finances during the summer. A decision to
consolidate and refinance was made. I had two companies trying
to make me happy with low interest rates and pay offs. Finally
after two months, two appraisals and many phone conversations
we settled with one company. We even set up this loan that will
have us debt free, including our mortgage, within 11 years. Can
you imagine being debt free? My friend and associate, Paula
Ryan and I wrote an ebook some years back called, Effortless
Freedom From Clutter and Debt: Your 20 minute Roadmap for
Creating a Perfectly Balanced Life, which you can read about
and order at
http://tinyurl.com/pbb1
Thanks for your support and for being a subscriber,
Janet L. Hall, The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard
Now, on to the articles!
Working in a Paper Dungeon?
Then you need a productivity and indoor environmental
specialist! call us today to see how we can help you create
systems that make your work flow better and create a powerful
image for you and your space. 1-800-687-3040 and outside US
1-410-586-9440.
2. - Show Me MY Money: What You're Worth or * net *
Worth
by: Janet L. Hall
Benjamin Franklin once said, * Time is money *. I think he
wanted one to add up how much time they spent on a particular
task or job and how much money they might have been wasting.
I do an exercise with my clients to help them discover what their
per minute worth is to enable them to see how much money they
might be losing because they are disorganized. Such as, if you
are doing a non-income producing activity for 15 minutes, you
can see how your money is being spent!
It's a very simple calculation.
Your Per Minute Worth Calculation
Yearly income divided by 52 weeks = weekly income
Weekly Income divided by 40 hours (or total hours you work
per week) = hourly income
Hourly income divided by 60 = Your Per Minute Worth
Before you begin to OverHall and Balance your financial area,
you need to find out your net worth, and your spending habits.
This will help assist you later with your budget, payoffs, or long-
term savings. It will also help in guiding you with such things as
your protection, investment, income tax, retirement, and estate
planning.
Your total net worth is your total assets (what you own or
already have saved) minus your total liabilities (what you owe
out). I'm not going to tell you this is as easy as figuring out your
per minute worth because it's not! It will take time and a
commitment from you to determine your net worth.
TIP: I have found the best time to do this exercise is when you
are paying your bills. At that time you usually have the
information needed to help you calculate your net worth. So, if it
usually takes you an hour to pay your bills, tack on at least an
extra hour this month for this exercise. For your convenience,
print out and use the net worth form below. You will be
writing in your totals for each line. For instance, if you have two
savings accounts, total your balances first and then write in the
total next to Savings Account.
ASSETS
Cash Reserve Totals-
Certificates of Deposit:
Checking Account:
Credit Union Account:
Money Market Account:
Savings Account:
Investment Totals-
401(k):
Bonds:
Mutual Funds:
Stocks:
Personal Totals-
Art:
Boat:
Car(s):
Furnishings:
Jewelry:
Other:
Real Estate Totals-
Home:
Second Home/Vacation Home:
Other Real Estate:
TOTAL ASSETS: $
LIABILITIES
Short-term Debt Totals-
Credit Card Balances:
Current Bills Owed:
Loans w/terms of six years or less:
Taxes:
Long-term Debt Totals-
Loans w/terms of seven years or more:
Mortgage(s):
TOTAL LIABILITIES: $
Congratulations! You did it! * Drum roll * Please!
TOTAL ASSETS: $
- (minus) TOTAL LIABILITIES: $
YOUR TOTAL NET WORTH = $
Now see if your net worth falls under A., B., or C. below, and
see how you can begin to bring some balance back to this area
of your life.
A. If your total net worth is half or less of your annual income or
you have a negative number you need to REALLY * OverHall *
and Balance your financial area!
~~ Pay off some/all debt
~~ Cut back on spending
~~ Stop charging
~~ Start a savings plan
B. If your total net worth is more than half your annual income
but less than a few years' income you need to * OverHall * and
Balance your financial area.
~~ If you're 40 or under and own a home, you're okay for now
~~ If you're 40 or over and you don't own a home:
`` Cut back on spending
`` Stop charging
`` Reduce debt
`` Increase your savings
`` Buy a home before retiring
C. If your total net worth is more than a few years' of your
annual income, CONGRATULATIONS! Keep doing what
you've been doing!
Listed below are some questions to ask yourself now that you
know and can see what your net worth equals.
1. Do you have enough cash reserves to meet your needs?
2. Do you have enough protection to provide money for
unforeseen emergencies? (we talked about this past issue
http://www.overhall.com/mar00.htm )
3. Do you have enough fixed assets (usually long-term; bonds
are an example) to provide or produce additional income?
4. Do you have enough equity assets (short or long-term; real
estate and stocks are examples) for growth and income?
To answer those questions, you need to know what your family
and your needs and goals are and then plan how you are going
to meet them.
Quick Tips to INCREASE Your Assets:
1. Maximize your 401(k) contribution
2. Start investing
3. Get automatic deduction/deposit from paycheck to savings
each pay period.
Quick Tips to DECREASE Your Liabilities:
Credit Cards
1. If you have to use a credit card, use only one major card
2. Pay more than the minimum payment on the credit card with
the highest interest rate
3. Stop charging to the highest interest rate credit card
4. Get rid of department store credit cards
5. Don't apply for anymore credit cards
Mortgage(s)
1. Pay a little extra each month towards the PRINCIPAL of
your mortgage payment
2. Drop your PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) when your
home equity exceeds 20% of your home's value (talk to your
mortgage lender)
3. Refinance mortgage at a lower interest rate
4. Refinance mortgage at a lower interest rate AND finance for
15 or 20 years instead of the usual 30 years.
5. Pay half your monthly mortgage payment every two weeks
(talk to your lender)
I am not an accountant or a banker; however I did do my
research on this back in April of 2000. If you have any questions
or issues that come up for you while working with the above
information, please make an appointment with your accountant,
banker, lender, etc. to discuss.
Have you decided that you would like help?
Check out my cutting edge program, 33 Days to Creating a
Supportive and Healing Environment, at
http://www.overhall.com/environment.htm
Have You Gotten Your *Tickle* for the Day?
Check out the secret organizing tool that ALL organized families
and successful people use on a daily basis at
http://www.overhall.com/tickler_file.htm
3. Tips for Professional Organizers
"I can't locate an organizer in my area, can you help me?"
I get emails and phone calls all the time with the above question.
I always ask, "How did you find me?" And the reply is generally,
"On the Internet."
You are losing business and opportunities (such as interviews) if
you are not on the Internet yet.
Maybe you're one of the organizers I cringe when I hear them
say, "I don't need to be on the Internet, I have more then enough
business." I think, that's nice and KNOW they don't have a long
term plan in place if something should happen to them, if business
should 'dry' up or they don't dare to dream big.
Starting an Internet business now and marketing it, possibly
developing your own products, can be like an insurance policy if
something should happen to you and you can no longer go out to
clients homes or offices. It can be your back up plan or a long
term goal. The Internet is where people are searching for
organizers.
You don't need to spend a lot of money developing a web site,
hiring a costly designer, if you do it yourself. It's not hard and I
can help you.
I spend thousands of dollars on my Internet studies and get
mentoring every two weeks from one of the top Internet
Marketing gurus. And I'm willing to pass onto you what I've
learned and continue to learn so you can be successful and have
your back up plan in place.
Check out my specials at
http://www.overhall.com/organizing_special.htm which feature
six of my products or services that can help you get started
with your Internet business today.
4. Organizing Tips and Tools
Janet's 50th Birthday Party:
5 Days of sales you won't want to miss. Go there now:
http://www.overhall.com/organizing_special.htm
E-books and Books:
An associate, Ron Mueller, is the co-author of
"It's How Much You KEEP, That Counts! Not How Much You
Make". It's the ULTIMATE Tax-Reduction System For Small
and Home-Based Businesses! Reading one chapter has already
helped me and I'm sure it will help you also. Check it out at:
http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=137136
If you are nearing the point of claiming bankruptcy or have and
feel there is no hope left, think again. Check out Paula Langguth
Ryan's book, "Bounce Back From Bankruptcy, A Step-by Step
Guide to Getting Back on Your Financial Feet." It's in its third
edition and I helped research a lot of the 1st edition <g>. Used
and recommended by attorneys world wide.
http://tinyurl.com/2v53q
Jeffrey J. Mayer, president of Succeeding In Business, and
author of many books, has an ebook, "Winning the Fight Against
You and Your Desk," that I highly recommend. This inexpensive
52 page ebook is jammed packed with time saving tips so you
can get more done in less time. I urge you all to download this at
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=25003
Software and Downloads:
If you've been wanting a web site and aren't sure how to build
one check out my latest multimedia CD, FrontPage Show and
Tell. You will see my screen and hear my voice telling where and
why to click to build your web site. Introductory Special at
http://www.frontpageshowandtell.com
5. Jokes, Quotes, and Anecdotes
~~ For we must be one thing or the other, an asset or a liability,
the sinew in your wing to help you soar, or the chain to bind you
to earth.
-- Countee Cullen (1903-1946) US poet
~~ Time is one of my most valuable assets.
-- Bill Anderson
~~ I have a simple philosophy. Fill what's empty. Empty what's
full. Scratch where it itches.
-- Alice Roosevelt Longworth
~~ If it's a penny for you thoughts and you put in your two cents
worth, then someone, somewhere is making a penny.
-- Steven Wright
6. Day 20 of Excerpt from: Effortless Freedom From Clutter and
Debt: Your 20 minute Roadmap for Creating a Perfectly
Balanced Life
by: Janet L. Hall and Paula Langguth Ryan
TODAY I ACCEPT MORE SIMPLICITY AND
ABUNDANCE IN MY LIFE
I have the courage to now move forward. – Florence Scovel
Shinn
What would it mean to you to live “the simple life?” Does living a
simple life mean that you have to sacrifice having greater
abundance in your life? Or is there a way to have both more
simplicity AND more abundance in your life?
To some, a simple life is going to work, coming home, spending
the evening with your family, going to bed, getting up and doing it
all over again. To others, a simple life is getting rid of all the
chaos in your life – the running around, the clutter. To still others,
a simple life is getting back to the basics – paring down your use
of packaged products, getting back to more organic ways of
doing things.
To some, abundance means having more money. To others,
abundance means having more peace of mind and less worry. To
still others, abundance means having “enough” – food, clothes,
love.
Sometimes, it may appear that our desires for simplicity and
abundance are contradictions. For example, if you love to read
or watch videos, but want to spend less money buying books or
renting tapes, or want to have fewer books and tapes cluttering
up your home, how do you reconcile having what you want?
One way is to use resources like the library, where you can read
any book you want for free and where you can rent videos and
music for free or for a very small fee.
Are you looking at simplicity and abundance from a very narrow
point of view? If so, now’s the time to expand your horizons. Sit
down and determine exactly what having more simplicity and
abundance in your life means to you and your family. Then write
down all the steps you can think of to bring yourself closer to
your dream for simplicity and abundance. Create a game plan so
everyone can play along as you create the life of your dreams.
Too often we spend our energy trying to “get rid of” or reject
our clutter and debt. Instead, today, spend your energy on
acceptance. You CAN have anything you want. How? By being
willing to accept and work toward having more simplicity and
abundance in your life.
Today, make a conscious decision to accept more simplicity and
abundance in your life. Believe that it IS possible to have what
you desire, and then look around to see how you can make it
happen today, despite any apparent contradiction.
To read more about this book or purchase it, please visit
http://tinyurl.com/pbb1
==========
Certified Professional Organizer and Certified Pyramid Feng
Shui Practitioner Janet L. Hall can work "magic" on your
environment. Toted as The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard,
Janet helps others choose and create the life and environment
they are yearning for. Get her FREE newsletter at
http://www.overhall.com
Prosperity advisor, author and motivational speaker Paula
Langguth Ryan is a leader in the contemporary prosperity
movement, where she combines practical personal finance
information with metaphysical prosperity techniques.
Get her FREE newsletter at
http://www.artofabundance.com
So you want to be a Professional Organizer?
Check out my one-of-a-kind system, The Wizard's Professional
Organizers System that will give you a jump-start on your
organizing career at
http://www.overhall.com/professional_organizers_system.htm
NEED a speaker for your next event? Download my speaking
packet at:
http://overhall.com/Seminars.htm
Harmony and Balance to all,
Janet L. Hall, CPO/CRMS (tm), FSII/FSIA
The Organizing and Feng Shui Wizard
Let me work my "magic" on your Clutter, Life, and Environment!
http://www.overhall.com
"If your current life isn't working for you... get an
"OverHall"!"
Janet L. Hall is the owner of OverHall Consulting, and
Organizing By Phone, which is based out of Southern Maryland
and can be reached at 800-687-3040 or 410-586-9440, or e-
mail her at mailto:janet@overhall.com
Janet can "OverHall" your office, home, and computer clutter
and can deliver a customized speech or seminar for your next
event.
Copyright (c) 2004 by OverHall Consulting
P.O. Box 263,
Port Republic, MD 20676
All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy,
or distribute OverHall IT! or any articles by Janet L. Hall so
long as article(s) is kept intact, this copyright notice, and
full information about the author is attached.
ISSN # 1533-0702.
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Here in OverHall IT! it is my hope to help you stop juggling
areas in your life around and help you "OverHall" the areas that
might have become cluttered, ignored, or put on the back
burner. I want to help you bring back into focus the things that
are important to you. I want the chaos to stop for you and help
bring you some structure and hopefully some useful advice and
systems so you can accomplish the most important task...running
your life!
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