We all have a lot of paper coming into our homes constantly; either from the mail, work paper, children’s paper and other sources. In order to conquer the paper problem that many of us experience in our homes and to reduce clutter we need to have a working filing system where we can find anything in 10 to 15 seconds that is in the filing drawer.

Here are tips on setting up a working filing system which will reduce clutter in your home and in your office:

• Use hanging files. Don’t use a manila folder inside the hanging files because they are just something more to purchase, take up more space and they hide the tab behind them. There are a few times where they can be used such as to separate different financial information that is kept in the same folder.
• Organize by categories. Select a color of folder for each category. This keys our mind where to go when we need to find something. Some ideas for categories are:

Action: This is for events or things that have to be done within the month.
Remove/replace: This is for items that is constantly changing like health care information that changes yearly or policies that are sent out twice a year or it is a good place to file telephone lists of association and club members.
Permanent: This category is for things that we will keep “forever” such as warrantees of appliances and other items in our homes. Or for certificates and family histories.
Resource: This is the fun section. We keep things we want to refer back to. Before filing anything do consider if you need to keep it or can you find the information some other way with a minimum of effort and expense.
Taxes: Label a folder for each year you pay taxes. Keep tax records as a general rule for seven years. Go to IRS.gov for complete information.

• When setting up the folders put the tabs in front of the files so they don’t get hidden by other folders.
• In the action files have a tab labeled Bills to Pay. If you get a paper bill immediately put it in this file. Plan on paying your bills once or twice a month on the same day. When that day comes, take the bill out and pay it.

Mark the date paid, clip paid bills together, and move them to the back of the file. Or, make another file that says Bills Paid. Utility bills can be thrown away after paying, but most people are uncomfortable with this, so I suggest keeping bills for one to three months. If they are used for tax purposes, move them to the tax folders. Rotate them to the recycle bin when you pay your bills again. You do not need to save most paid bills because you can prove two ways that you paid it – by canceled check, or credit card, or the next bill that will reflect your payment.

The biggest tip for cutting down the paper coming into your home is to get off junk mail lists. There are several companies that do this for you. Google to find out what one you want to use. Some have a fee others are free.

Pay bills online. This cuts down on paper work, time and money (stamps and for some bills envelopes). Set up bill paying through your financial institution and go in monthly and pay the bills you want to pay. Your institution will notify you when they have sent payment. Make a folder in your email and send this information to the folder. You have a record if you ever need it.

Many people don’t file because they are afraid they won’t be able to find it again, but with the right system that won’t ever happen again. I use the Freedom Filer system and it has saved me a lot of time, worry and money. A good filing system helps reduce clutter in our homes and offices.

Marilyn is a professional organizer who works with women and seniors in clearing clutter and providing organizing tips. Visit her website www.marilynbohn.com for free organizing tips on her blogs, articles and videos.

It’s that time of year again – income tax time. This is also the time of year when some direct sales consultants from almost every company are scrambling or panicking because they don’t know what to do. Consultant forums are starting with fill up with threads asking for help with their taxes. Below are some tips to help you survive taking care of filing your income tax as an independent business owner.

TIP #1: Outsource it. Not likely the info you were hoping for, is it? I figure if you already file your own taxes and are familiar with how to handle business filings, you likely would not be reading this article. My advice is that if you don’t know what you’re doing, hire a professional. That’s what I do. Then my time can be better allocated to doing what I do best.

TIP #2: Don’t take advice from your peers. Having survived an IRS audit, it really concerns me when I see independent consultants ask other consultants for tax advice on company forums. Maybe they should ask for legal and medical advice while they’re at it. Just because someone can sell wax, recruit or coach hostesses does not make one qualified to give tax advice.

Recently I read a forum post of one consultant who publicly shared with a large audience of consultants that she writes off her entire year of mileage on her family van as a business expense because she had a magnetic sign on the side of her vehicle. This is clearly prohibited in IRS mileage regulations. If she were to claim 20,000 miles because of her little Vista Print magnet, even though she may have actually only driven 870 miles directly related to business travel, it’d tax fraud. Yet her informative post, albeit erroneous, was met with a multitude of replies of gratitude and appreciation. So now because of one consultant’s wrong information, a number of other consultants were going to do the same. GIGO – Garbage In, Garbage Out.

TIP #3: Use credible resources. If you’re determined to file your own taxes in spite of your lack of tax acumen, then at least use credible sources to help you. You may be able to get qualified advice from your local Chamber of Commerce or Small Business Association. Mr. Google may help you too, just ensure you’ve vetted your resources and don’t just take the word of any blogger out there.

TIP #4: Organization. If you’re just now trying to locate all of your receipts and organize your 2010 expenses, then the advice to plan ahead isn’t going to help you for this year. But now is a good time to set up a system for your 2011 taxes.

There are financial software programs such as Quick Books and Quicken that will help you stay organized. If you don’t want to use these software programs, you could use something simple such as an Excel Spreadsheet and a large envelope for receipts. If you don’t have MS Office with Excel then you can use a spreadsheet that’s available in Google Docs. There are so many options, many of them free, that there is no excuse not to have some system on your computer to track your expenses, as you accumulate them.

Anytime you purchase business supplies, training materials, advertising or anything else to do with your business, enter it on your spreadsheet, then file the receipt in your envelope. Do it as your get them else next year at this time you’ll end up with the same mess you have now.

Tax time need not be a stressful time. Each year I hear of independent consultants who are pulling their hair out because they’re trying be an instant accountant, or because they are scouring the house for their receipts and trying to get all their ducks in a row before their scheduled CPA appointment.

It’s not too late to set a New Year’s Resolution. Perhaps starting today you can resolve to make your annual tax time pain free from this point forward.

About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a WAHM from Michigan and a Superstar Director with Scentsy Flameless Candles. She enjoys helping men and women start and maintain a candle business in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Deutschland, Ireland and the UK. To download a FREE Start Up Guide which provides more details about how to start a candle business as well as to learn about our compensation plan go to http://www.thrivingcandlebusiness.com/how-to-start-a-candle-business/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6762690

INTRODUCING…

~ the unique slide ‘n tie sleeve

brought to you by the FOOFQUEENS®

Finally! A new wrapping alternative that fits many sizes and any shape while showcasing your company brand at the same time. GiftGloss® is a clear sleeve that comes on a roll for custom sizing to fit your needs. Available in two widths, you can create jazzy packets, dress up customer products or design incredible team awards, all in a snap. No more hunting for the right size cello bags or hassling with hard-to-handle sheets of cellophane.

• It’s FAST. Simply slide in the item and tie the ends. That’s it!
• It’s EASY. Stores, dispenses and cuts with handy dispenser.
• It’s AFFORDABLE. Each roll wraps 15-20 items… or even more.

With combined direct sales experience of 70+ years, the FoofQueens® set out to find a new way to showcase products, excite hostesses/customers and attract interest from potential recruits. We think we’ve done it with our patent-pending GiftGloss® System, the perfect tool to help you grow your business.

GiftGloss® is great for…

jewelry * kitchen tools * food products * baskets * home décor items * candles * beauty & wellness products * clothing * accessories * toys * books

… or any product you represent!

“I glossed 21 gifts for a raffle. It was fast, easy and FUN! Loved the compliments and results… sales almost doubled over last year, thanks to GiftGloss. Now customers want foofed products, even for themselves! It’s like they’re giving themselves a gift!”  ~ Cathy B.

The business applications for GiftGloss® are literally ENDLESS…

doorprizes * hostess gifts * hostess/sponsoring packets * open house drawings party giveaways * cash & carry products * customer gift wrapping service * new recruit gifts

“GiftGloss has taken my hostess & recruiting ‘teaser’ packets to a whole new level. I feel even more confident and excited to hand a packet over to a future hostess or possible new recruit. Paying attention to the details in my business is paying off!”  ~ Tammi B.

We’re confident you’ll find even more uses for GiftGloss® in both your professional and personal life. Please visit our special website page for direct sellers at http://foofqueens.com/direct-sellers/ to learn more about GiftGloss and capture some great ideas for your business. For custom ideas, phone support or training tips for your team, contact us at info@foofqueens.com

SAVE 30% OFF your GIFTGLOSS KIT! Use coupon code MOMS at checkout!

When a person starts in direct sales, some of the verbiage used can be very confusing. This article is to help clear up any confusion you may have.

Merchant Account – This is an account to process credit cards. Some companies require you get one to do business, others provide it for their consultants.

Hostess Program – This is what the hostess gets for hosting a party. It can be a percentage of sales, highly discounted items, extra sales credit, or any combination.

Back office – You need a login/password to access your back office. This is your companies website were you put in your orders, check your monthly sales and likely access any training documents available.

Downline – Anyone you have recruited to join the company. Your first line is the ones you sponsored directly, and your second/third/fourth/etc line is the recruits your recruit has brought in. Each line you potentially earn commission on, depending on your company’s setup.

Upline – Whoever has sponsored you into the company. Some people like to think of their upline in family relations. I.e. Your sponsor is your "mom", her sponsor is your "grandma", etc.

Hostess Package – Information you give to your hostess before her party. It can be mailed or it can be handed to her at the party she books off of. Typically it includes items such as a catalogue, order forms, business cards, a guest list (or ideas to brainstorm a guest list), monthly specials and any other items you might think will help with a successful party.

Hostess Coaching – Correspondence between you and the hostess, getting her ready for her party and assisting her to have the best party experience as possible.

CVV Code – Three digit code on the back of the credit card.

Hopefully this has helped you to know what is what in the world of direct sales.

Sharon Katzman is a Manager with Gold Canyon Candles. Through her business, she is able to help women to make an income and feel empowered. To find out more, you can visit her blog at http://www.thescentsationals.com
In her downtime, she enjoys crafting, reading, harassing her cats, and being lazy. You can find out more about Sharon by visiting her blog at http://allaboutme-sharon.blogspot.com/

In case you missed it, we are doing a FREE LIVE WEBINAR with Jennifer Fitzgerald, creator of The Client Angel which is the fastest-growing follow-up tool available for direct sellers, network marketers, and party plan entrepreneurs.

The FREE LIVE WEBINAR will be held tomorrow Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 8:30 PM Eastern.

Here is the link for you guys to sign up to join myself and Jen:  SIGN UP HERE

This FREE LIVE WEBINAR is called “Are you Tired of COSTing yourself money by forgetting to follow-up with your clients?” and on it you will learn:

• This is for you if you have ever done a home show and forgotten to follow-up with customers after they got their product
• This is for you if you have ever gotten someone’s contact info out and about and said you would send a catalog and never did and then were too embarrassed to go back 3 months later and send it to them and try to follow-up
• This is for you if you do keep notes on customers but don’t have a computer, in excel spreadsheets and NONE of it is organized

Sales MOMS Sponsor:

Last week we talked to you about the guilty feeling most direct sales people have regarding following up with their customers.  Frankly, we feel guilty because we’re NOT doing it. 

In that email I said the reason we don’t follow up is often just plain, old disorganization . . .  but then I realized there is another big reason as well . . . many of us don’t follow up because we’re afraid of being pushy. 

Does that sound like you?
Does your heart start to palpitate at even the thought of picking up the phone?Does it seem to you that the phone literally weighs 1,246 pounds?Do you think it’s easier to feel guilty than it is to actually make those calls?!

Well, guess what . . . you are not alone and I have a solution for you! 

In case you missed it, we are doing a FREE LIVE WEBINAR with Jennifer Fitzgerald, creator of The Client Angel which is the fastest-growing follow-up tool available for direct sellers, network marketers, and party plan entrepreneurs.

So, if you are afraid of looking pushy when you try to re-service your customers, then you MUST attend this webinar.  Jennifer has some fantastic ideas, tips, and solutions for you.

The FREE LIVE WEBINAR will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 8:30 PM Eastern.

Here is the link for you guys to sign up to join myself and Jen:  SIGN UP HERE

This FREE LIVE WEBINAR is called "Are you Tired of COSTing yourself money by forgetting to follow-up with your clients?" and on it you will learn:

• This is for you if you have ever done a home show and forgotten to follow-up with customers after they got their product
• This is for you if you have ever gotten someone’s contact info out and about and said you would send a catalog and never did and then were too embarrassed to go back 3 months later and send it to them and try to follow-up
• This is for you if you do keep notes on customers but don’t have a computer, in excel spreadsheets and NONE of it is organized

I am so excited to be talking about this topic and so I hope you can join me for this special WEBINAR with Jennifer Fitzgerald of The Client Angel.

Remember, good follow up is not only about the right tools, it’s also about the right information, and that’s why I’d like you to join us on this FREE webinar.  Jennifer has so many ideas and tips . . . I know you’re going to love it!  Make sure to sign up here:  SIGN UP

There is one more important thing I want you to know….You will have to sign up in order to be in the running for the FREE giveaway. You don’t have to be on the webinar live because we will be sending out a recording but you do have to register. Jen has so graciously offered to give one of you who registers for the webinar a FREE lifetime membership to The Client Angel!!! That is awesome!!!

Go…register now!!!

I can’t wait to “see” you on the call!