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New year brings new goals
Resolutions: Here are some tips to help make them more than just talk
By Lauren Marcus/Special to the Press-Enterprise

New year brings new goals

So many of us make New Year’s resolutions — and nearly as many become frustrated or even angry with ourselves when we don’t follow through on them. Professional organizer Sonya Weisshappel offers these tips for how people can make those New Year’s resolutions happen. Weisshappel is president of Seriatim Inc., which serves clients nationally from its headquarters in New York.

Resolution: This year, I’ll start early with preparing for tax season.

Seriatim’s how-to: December is the time to make a financial filing system for January, so when paperwork starts to come in the mail — bills, statements and the like — you’re ready with a dedicated place to put these. Weisshappel says she has traditional tastes when it comes to organizing one’s financial life: “For active files, we use manila folders. For those things that you must keep but are likely not to refer back to, we turn to clear, tinted envelopes with a string closure. Tax returns go into project manager folders, which are also clear plastic with tabs.”

Resolution: The kids’ art projects will be saved, but will not decorate every room in the house.

Seriatim’s how-to: By the end of the school year, families with school-aged children collect all sorts of things from art to 3-D projects to report cards. Weisshappel recommends that families purchase, ideally at the start of the school year, a box or container for archiving and preserving these soon-to-be precious memories.

Resolution: I will organize my photos.

Seriatim’s how-to: Weisshappel says that you’ve got to assess approximately how many photos you’ll have in a given year. “Start with the current year then work backwards,” she advises. “Buy enough albums to take you through an entire year so you don’t find yourself bemoaning having run out of albums.” Once you’ve tamed this year’s, collect all your loose photos in one place, sort by year then by month. Then putting them in albums will not seem as daunting.

Resolution: I will create a system for organizing my receipts.

Seriatim’s how-to: “Sort, sort, sort!” exclaims Weisshappel. We all collect all types of receipts from credit card and cash purchases. Label envelopes — one per credit card and a separate one for cash purchases. When your credit card statement arrives, reconcile each purchase with the saved receipts then throw it away. For cash purchases, pick a time to review the receipts that have collected.

Resolution: I will not wait until next December to update my holiday-card list.

Seriatim’s how-to: January is a great time, when news is fresh to update your list. Collect those cards that have been returned by the post office and check them off your list in January.

Resolution: That pile of clipped recipes... it’s got to get organized this year!

Seriatim’s how-to: Weisshappel does this for herself at home — “file” your recipes in your favorite cookbook, right next to a similar recipe. So the next time you’re looking to make chocolate cake, for instance, that clipped recipe will be right there with those in the book.

Resolution: I will not procrastinate on my personal health and fitness appointments.

Seriatim’s how-to: Weisshappel says January is the perfect month for making appointments to last through the year. “Using last year’s calendar, make a list — by category — of the routine appointments that are repeated, whether they come once a year or once a week. This will be your blueprint for the new year.”