What's Your Excuse? Break Down Your Money Barriers
PAGE 4
Your Excuse: "I'm Too Disorganized to Deal with My Money"
Why You Feel That Way
Whether your clutter takes the form of books, piles of paper, gadgets, clothing or all of the above, when you strip it down to its essence, what it's doing is surrounding you. It's enveloping you. It's providing you with a warm, cozy wrapper, a form of shelter from the cold, critical, difficult outside world.
The problem is—and it's a problem shared by people with every type of addiction—that this clutter doesn't bring the feelings of safety and security that you're looking for. So, you pick up some more, and then some more. Then all of a sudden you're surrounded with so much stuff that you can't think straight anymore. How do I know? I know because you and I live in America, and because in America, more is better. In America, the person who dies with the most stuff wins. Except really, she loses.
How to Get Over It
You probably think you have no idea how to sort and organize your finances. But, in fact, you have a very good model. You know how to clean a closet. And you are going to use the very same skills to get your financial paperwork in tip-top shape. I call the following steps the Four Ds.
Dump. If you clean a closet like I do, the first thing you do is pull everything off the racks and toss it onto your bed or the floor. Do the same with your bills and paperwork. Don't forget to go through your briefcases, tote bags, desktop and pocketbooks for any straggling receipts or bills.
Distribute. Take the statement and bills out of their envelopes. Open them to full size, and staple the pages of each month's statement together so they don't get lost. Then put the paperwork into the proper folders, oldest bills first, so that when you open a folder the newest statement is on top.
Next: The cheat sheet to staying organized
Why You Feel That Way
Whether your clutter takes the form of books, piles of paper, gadgets, clothing or all of the above, when you strip it down to its essence, what it's doing is surrounding you. It's enveloping you. It's providing you with a warm, cozy wrapper, a form of shelter from the cold, critical, difficult outside world.
The problem is—and it's a problem shared by people with every type of addiction—that this clutter doesn't bring the feelings of safety and security that you're looking for. So, you pick up some more, and then some more. Then all of a sudden you're surrounded with so much stuff that you can't think straight anymore. How do I know? I know because you and I live in America, and because in America, more is better. In America, the person who dies with the most stuff wins. Except really, she loses.
How to Get Over It
You probably think you have no idea how to sort and organize your finances. But, in fact, you have a very good model. You know how to clean a closet. And you are going to use the very same skills to get your financial paperwork in tip-top shape. I call the following steps the Four Ds.
Dump. If you clean a closet like I do, the first thing you do is pull everything off the racks and toss it onto your bed or the floor. Do the same with your bills and paperwork. Don't forget to go through your briefcases, tote bags, desktop and pocketbooks for any straggling receipts or bills.
Distribute. Take the statement and bills out of their envelopes. Open them to full size, and staple the pages of each month's statement together so they don't get lost. Then put the paperwork into the proper folders, oldest bills first, so that when you open a folder the newest statement is on top.
Next: The cheat sheet to staying organized
Please note: This is general information and is not intended to be legal advice. You should consult with your own financial advisor before making any major financial decisions, including investments or changes to your portfolio, and a qualified legal professional before executing any legal documents or taking any legal action. Harpo Productions, Inc., OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery Communications LLC and their affiliated companies and entities are not responsible for any losses, damages or claims that may result from your financial or legal decisions.
NEXT STORY
