I read an article the other day that mentioned how important it is to have all your papers organized.  Needless to say I was interested in what it had to say!  From last week’s blog, I mentioned how important it was to keep all your important documents together in one safe place:  your passports, mortgage papers, insurance papers, medical papers, etc. 

Well, did you realize that when these papers, as well as your bills and bank statements, are organized you are in a better position to gain wealth.  Orderliness begets wealth.  A pile of cluttered bills and statements is a sign that someone is clueless about what’s coming in and going out.  When we pay attention to the details of opening our mail daily and sorting them appropriately, then we are connecting with the money that we are working for and can see better how it can work for us.

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Action Plan

First, organize everything you have into six piles: 

1. 1. Monthly bills, bank statements and pay stubs

2. Investments statements as pension updates, 401(k) statements, brokerage and fund statements, etc.)

3. Tax returns and supporting documents

4. Policy documents and deeds (insurance policies, home deed, car title.)

5. Warranties, receipts for large items and user manuals (some of these are on line so you don’t need to keep them)

6. Forever Documents:  marriage license, will, trust, estate planning documents, birth certificates, divorce decree, etc.  It also would be a good idea to have a permanent file of all loans you have paid off as mortgage, car, school, etc.

Create a folder for each type of document and you can also create a folder inside a folder for the electricity bill inside the folder for bills.  However, the Forever Documents should be put in a portable fire and water-resistant home safe or file container, something that you can grab at a moment’s notice.  A bank deposit box is not as good as a home safe.  You don’t have access 24/7 and it would be hard for anyone else to open it if they do not have the key or their name on the account.

Also, moving your monthly bill paying online will help you stay on top of your income and outgo because all debits and credits are tracked for you; no input is necessary.  You can also set up e-mail alerts to remind you when you need to log on and take care of bills, or create ongoing automatic monthly transfers – so you will never forget to pay a bill again. Not having any late fees can certainly help you gain wealth!

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Manna from Heaven:  When we pay attention to the details of our life, we are better able to follow the Lord’s direction.  This applies to our finances as well.  We need to be organized so that we can be good stewards of the money the Lord brings to us so that we can help His work through our tithes and support of His missionaries. 

We also must do right with how we get our finances.  “Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it.” Proverbs 13:11

I believe that as we labor in our work and in taking care of all things financial, we will be able to keep up with the responsibilities of life.

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Emotional Check-Up:  As most of us know, our emotions can cause poor health.  When we are stressed, our blood pressure can go up which can cause heart attacks.  Taking just 15 minutes to breathe deeply once a day can lower blood pressure in people suffering from hypertension, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Hypertension.  The next time you’re feeling the effects of stress, try inhaling deeply as you slowly raise your shoulders up to your ears.  As you exhale, let your shoulders sink down away from your ears.  Repeat this five times and bask in the feeling of relaxation!

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Healthy Fit-Fact:  For some of us, just thinking about our finances can cause us to think we will have a heart attack!  But, heart attacks are real, even for women in their 40’s.  www.Womenheart.org is the web site of the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.  The site provides a wide range of information that is unique to women with heart conditions, and it’s carefully reviewed by a committed team of heart disease experts.

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I hope this pathway of keeping your financial life de-cluttered helped you.  I know it will help you to keep current on your bills.