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One Dozen Year-End To-Do’s: Save Time, Money, and Stay Healthy!
TO-DO #1: Drain Your Flexible Spending Account NOW!
If you’re taking advantage of your company’s flexible spending account, now is the time to use it … or lose it! Since the money in your account does not roll over from year to year, if you don’t spend it by the end of 2003, you will lose your entire remaining balance! Now’s the time to get your teeth cleaned… a physical exam… buy new eyeglasses or contact lenses… and get your prescriptions filled. Keep your receipts and be sure to submit them promptly according to your company’s reimbursement policy.
TO-DO #2: Update Your Household and Business Inventories.
Should you ever need to file an insurance claim due to fire or theft, for example, you’ll need an up-to-date list of all your belongings. Did you buy a new computer… furniture… artwork… business equipment? Take photos and save receipts. Check your homeowners and property and casualty insurance — be sure the replacement value matches your new inventories. New jewelry over $5,000 will often need an appraisal for insurance coverage.
TO-DO #3: Update the Numbers!
Have you changed banks? Closed or added new credit cards? Bought new insurance? Changed important contacts? Now’s the time to update your list of account and contacts. Start the new year knowing that all your valuable numbers are together in one, easy-to-access place. Here’s a good start: grab your wallet… empty all your I.D., credit, insurance, and pertinent business cards (including doctors, attorney, etc.) onto a photocopy machine… hit PRINT… and file the paper. Then grab your insurance policies and other data and write the information on back of this sheet… file… and you’re done! You’ll be amazed how much peace of mind this provides you should you lose your wallet… or simply need to quickly access important data.
TO-DO #4: Send Last-Minute Holiday Greetings
Running out of time? Yahoo Greetings at greetings.yahoo.com has a large selection of e-cards for all occasions that are delivered instantly. And the price is right: absolutely free!
TO-DO #5: Reflect on Your Past Year’s Accomplishments
What worked? What didn’t? What moved you closer to your goals? What held you back? What should you have done differently? What did you learn that you can apply to 2004? What specific steps are you committed to take that will make your life dramatically better than it is today? If you can’t schedule at least one full day planning how you want your life to look 12 months from now, you’re likely to repeat your past mistakes and move at a snail’s pace toward your goals. Ask yourself this question: “Have I taken as much time to plan my life as I did my last vacation?” The answer may surprise you… help put things into perspective… and open your eyes to the “reason-why” of your present situation.
TO-DO #6: Get Great Last-Minute Deals!
Take advantage of online shopping search engines to get the best deal! Electronic shopping “bots” such as MySimon.com and Shopping.com scour the web for the best prices on the items you’re looking to buy and can save you a merry bundle! Ho, ho, ho!
TO-DO #7: Protect Against Old Man Winter!
Did you know that 60% of your body’s fuel is used to heat your body? Frostbite occurs when the skin tissue freezes and ice crystals form between cells, drawing water from them, causing your cells to dehydrate — ouch! Although it usually occurs at temperatures below 30ºF (-1ºC), wind chill can cause frostbite at temperatures above freezing, too. For outdoor activities, wear at least three layers of clothing: 1) An outer layer of nylon or Gore-Tex® to repel the wind and ventilate excess body heat, 2) A middle layer of wool or synthetic fabric to absorb sweat, 3) An inner synthetic layer such as DuPont Supplex® for ventilation and to keep you cozy, warm, and dry.
TO-DO #8: Need It Fast?
Overnight shipping does not necessarily mean overnight delivery! The difference? The former means the company will send your order via an overnight carrier — it doesn’t mean it’ll arrive the next day. If you’re a last-minute shopper, be sure to clarify this!
TO-DO #9: Best-Kept Online Secret:
Always check coupons.dealnews.com before you buy. This great site lists hundreds of “dollars-off” specials and online “coupons” you’d never know about otherwise! Save a bundle from big-name e-tailers like Sharper Image, Barnes and Noble, JCPenney, buy.com, Amazon.com and scores more!
TO-DO #10: Pipe Dream… or Nightmare?
Approximately 250,000 families each year have their homes ruined by bursting water pipes. Imagine coming home from Disney World only to find that your house contains a two-thousand-gallon spill! What a disaster! We know of one incident where neighbors of a southern California family actually saw rivers of water rushing out of the victim’s mail slot! Doesn’t matter if you have PVC or copper pipes — they both can burst. In fact, a crack just an eighth of an inch can blast out up to 250 gallons of water a day, completely destroying walls, floors, furniture, carpet, and everything else it reaches. Regardless of whether you live in Sitka, Alaska or Death Valley, CA, pipes burst in cold and hot climates. Here’s how to prevent it:
In cold climates:
1.)INSULATE pipes in your home’s attic and crawl spaces;
2.) WRAP pipes with heat tape (follow all manufacturer’s instructions.);
3.) SEAL leaks that allow cold air to reach indoor pipes;
4.) DISCONNECT garden hoses and turn off indoor valves leading to outdoor faucets; and
5.) NEVER try to thaw pipes with open flames!
In ALL climates:
1.) SET the thermostat in your house no lower than 55 degrees F and
2.) SHUT OFF and drain the water system before you travel.
TO-DO #11: Renew Your Day-Timer System!
Are your refill pages about to expire? Is it time to get a new binder or wallet with more features? You worked hard all year… why not treat yourself to a luxurious new leather… or try a colorful new designer refill!
TO-DO #12: Feeling Charitable?
Perhaps it’s the holiday spirit… or you’re thinking about next spring’s income-tax bill! Either way, hundreds of non-profit organizations would love your donations. The web site guidestar.org features data on more than 850,000 IRS-recognized nonprofits and offers information about charities’ mission, finances, accomplishments, and leadership to help you decide to whom you should donate!
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