Came across some forum posting here that said something along the lines of "messy car, messy finance habits". A few people said something along the lines of "so true!" I had never heard that saying before. Then I got in my car, and hmmm.... about that.
Messy car here. And while I'm probably better than quite a few Americans, yup, my finances are feeling really messy these days. Once I can settle (within the next two weeks, pretty please?), there's quite a few "messy" things I need to do. Hoping I can get them done before year end (in no particular order):
- Finalize new budget
- List, prioritize, and budget final house fixes
- Unpack, Declutter*, Organize
- Set up will (and such)
- Check up on retirement
- Set new saving goals
- Winterize the house
- Clean cars
So much to do, so little time these days.
*We moved all of our storage stuff to the house this weekend. Since I couldn't store anything in basement (still needs to be majorly cleaned) or garage (filled with tools and materials), we took up a whole bedroom with boxes and boxes and boxes. I need to do some purging. MAJOR purging.
Messy Car
August 24th, 2015 at 03:20 pm
August 24th, 2015 at 03:22 pm 1440429764
August 24th, 2015 at 03:29 pm 1440430141
August 24th, 2015 at 04:19 pm 1440433166
We don't fit the mold. We are messy/creative types and so though we are responsible and organized we don't look it. In this day and age though, our cars can pass. We simply don't spend a lot of time in our cars. & with GPS and everything else digitized we no longer fill our cars with papers or CDs (which was a lot of our mess in the past). I saw the forum discussion and was pondering it. Most our peers (parents) stuff their cars with tons of stuff, and that is something we have never really understood. Of course your car is messy if you are cramming it to the brim with crap. & if you buy too much of everything, who cares if you just leave it in your car? So I can certainly see a connection. In college was my worst slobby car years but I also had 3 jobs and so it was more of a "spending a lot of time in my car and working my butt off to stay out of debt" thing. Of course there are exceptions to the rule. With age though, I find it harder to be a slob.
August 24th, 2015 at 04:20 pm 1440433209
August 24th, 2015 at 05:32 pm 1440437565
Having some kind of Will is a truly important step. I'm assuming life insurance policies and retirement plans already have named beneficiaries. If pressed for time I suggest you print a 'working copy' Will document from internet. Start by naming an Executor and list assets with a vague description of each like Current Home or owned, Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Personal Effects naming anything special or heirloom. Once completed and satisfied I suggest taking it to a lawyer or legal aide for evaluation.
Finally have it signed and witnessed by a Notary Public or better a Commissioner of Oaths. You need to give a couple of people you trust a copy in a sealed envelop or at the very least make sure two people know where your will is kept.
House fixes are a fluid list, I suggest creating a 3 ring binder with a few packages of page protectors and paper to write, add, subtract, articles, product info, wishes, practical solutions and hacks all in one place. It will continue for all the years you own the house, It's also a go-yo for seasonal work like winterize, door sweeps, draft inhibitors, furnace filters, AC filters, electrical work/upgrades and more.
d decluttering
The figures for retirement will likely scare you this month and next. I'd wait till things shake out.
The unpacking and decluttering is a combo with big, sturdy plastic bags for sell, donate,trash and put in place...used, needed, and adds value to your lives.
August 24th, 2015 at 06:11 pm 1440439912
August 25th, 2015 at 12:40 am 1440463252
August 25th, 2015 at 01:11 am 1440465084