Organizing Your Assets; getting rid of the clutter

            
No-one is more qualified to organize and protect your belongings than you are, and there is no time like the present. If you never use it or you didn’t know you had it, then it needn’t be taking up space in your home. Things you keep because they “might come in handy”, seldom do. If you ever have a need for them you’ve either forgotten you have them, they’re perished, out of date, or you can’t remember where you put them. It may take you several days, or even weeks, and you may need to enlist the aid of family, friends, or a professional residential organizer, but don’t let anything deter you until you are done. You will have improved your quality of life, and will love living in your clean, organized home.
 
Here are some do-it-yourself guidelines:
 
Take Inventory:  Include the attic, basement, garage, outdoor storage, guestrooms, closets, dressers, cabinets, laundry and pantry. Make a list of everything you own that is not in current use, and color code each article as you go. Customize your lists to work for you, (you may need one for each area) e.g. color code with eight columns as follows:
 
Item:            Keep        Gift        Sell        Donate        Recycle        Trash        Comments
                   (Green)    (Blue)  (Orange)   (Purple)       (Yellow)       (Red)
 
Make decisions as you list each item, and place a check in the chosen column.
Use the “Comments” for special instructions or memos. Place small items in color coded containers that correspond with your list, and put a color coded sticker on the larger items.
 
Categorize Valuables: Jewelry, art, heirlooms, sentimental, seasonal, etc.,
Locate and include all your personal documents in this inventory. (Birth Certificate, Social Security card, Marriage Certificate, Passport, Stock Certificates, Titles, etc.,)
 
Make sure valuables and documents are:
 
Secured in a bank safety deposit box, with a TFFM also authorized for access. For insurance purposes should you suffer a loss, an inventory of your personal belongings is very important. Photographs, videos, invoices and serial numbers will help identify your electronics, computers and other valuable assets. (Include this information with your Will.)
 
Given to your intended recipients now, while you will have the joy of giving and the comfort of knowing your items will continue in safe keeping. **
 
Marked for sale, or donation to your favorite charity now. **
Any proceeds from a sale can be used for your benefit, and charitable donations applied to your tax return. (Keep an itemized record for your tax return preparer.)
             
Discard:  Remaining items of no further use or value to you can be recycled through your favorite charity,  placed in your city recycle container if appropriate, or in the trash. Dispose of unused medications, chemicals,  paint and cleaners at your City’s “Toxic Waste” drop-off.
Note: Always shred personal papers before discarding or recycling, (guidelines for documents that should not be discarded can be found in “Viewpoints/Are Your Affairs in Order?”)  
 
Organize Current Use Items:  You will now have space to organize your storage areas so everything is in the right place, there when you need it, and out of site when you don’t.  There are numerous products available in every price range to help you contain, shelve, or hang your possessions. This is the fun part.
 
 ** Please consult your attorney, tax accountant, and/or financial advisor before disposing of any valuable asset.

If you wish to keep items of value in your home, consider these tips to keep them safe:
 
Place fragile items in a safe area where they will not be vulnerable in a mishap.
 
Keep financial documents and small valuables locked in a file cabinet or fire safe.
 
Make sure your treasures are not visible from the outside of your house.
 
Draw your blinds at night. A “smash and grab” is a sure thing when thieves have seen the rewards.
 
Put a “No Soliciting” sign at your front door, and don’t open the door to a stranger. Have friends and family call before they pay you a visit.

Consider installing a “peep hole” or other means of identifying visitors, if you’re unable to see who’s at your door.

When repairmen must work in your home, plan to have a family member or friend with you while they are there, and put small valuables, (watches, rings, wallets) out of sight.

Whether you’re at home or away, keep the garage door down, and the door from the garage into your home locked. 
 
Wait until the garage door is down before you unlock your car to get out.
 
If you notice anything suspicious as you approach your home, drive right by and call 911.        
(Keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times)
 
Always arrange for someone to be responsible for your home if you will be absent for any length of time, and request they collect your mail and remove unsolicited items from your front entryway daily. Be sure they have a contact number for you and another TFFM. It also makes good sense to:
 
1.  Postpone or cancel regularly scheduled deliveries.
 
2.  Set timers to turn lights on, in and around your home, after dark.
 
3.  Ensure that lawn mowing schedules will be maintained.
 
4.  Change lock tumblers on all doors that service providers may have      
      been given keys to, however trustworthy you consider them to be.
 
5.  Ask your security company, if you have one, to increase surveillance of 
     your home while you’re away.