|
Post by papermoon on Nov 14, 2014 2:47:38 GMT -5
I made excellent progress on that phone file yesterday and today. Only a few more papers to check and (hopefully) shred, and then it's done. I put all the years in order back to 2003. That's a big step toward the total organizing I need to do to prepare the old delinquent tax returns.
Surprisingly, I enjoy working 36 minutes each day (3 sets of 12). I've been getting a lot done, which feels good, and I think I can do more. I'll do one more day of 36, then increase to 48 minutes starting Saturday.
I think it's a waste of effort to set aside papers for shredding later as a separate step. Now I simply keep my shredder next to me while I work, and feed the paper as I go. I like the "completeness" of it.
I also made good on my promise to self of getting rid of those unwanted magazine subscriptions. When the Dec issue of Good Housekeeping arrived yesterday, I dropped it directly in the Free Box. So there!
|
|
|
Post by Louie on Nov 14, 2014 5:27:01 GMT -5
it sounds like you are really getting some good 'paper' habits established papermoon. good work! you're doing great! I processed the days mail again tonight.
|
|
|
Post by papermoon on Nov 15, 2014 23:29:12 GMT -5
OMG!! For anybody who's dealing with red tape, this post on Italian Notebook is hilarious! The comments are even more amazing. www.italiannotebook.com/local-interest/public-offices/I've been thinking how much I'd love to live in Italy, but now I'm having second thoughts.
|
|
|
Post by lostchild on Nov 16, 2014 2:36:01 GMT -5
Papermoon I am terrified of buracracy. Since the California government streamlined its check processing system I am lucky to be paid twice a month. From July to September I wasn't paid at all.
After they straightened that out my pay date has changed every month. I never can assume I will be paid regularly but on the happy side for the first time IHSs workers are now entitled to overtime as of January 2015.
I work 61 hour work weeks with no entitlement to overtime for over 4 years.
The buracracy gets worse...the last work wrote the child who I have guardianship over was my biologicsl child...for that mistake even though he is obviouly Caucasian and I am African American they docked me over 30 hours a week in pay stating as the biological mother it was my duty.
The administrative law judge who got the case told them he wished he could dock their pay for each day they fouled up mine. It would have been a four year docking!!!
Appeals to gain more hours are a nightmare and when I was rehired I told the lady doing the paperwork if I found one mistake I would not only personally sue but would kick her in the a***.
They are afraid to make mistakes on my hours issuance but there is a different department for payroll with no recourse!!!
|
|
|
Post by Louie on Nov 16, 2014 3:44:32 GMT -5
wow papermoon, I would not survive there at all! I hate paperwork and I hate siting around waiting - so no retiring to Italy for me ! lostchild that sounds dreadful! do people still get paid by cheque? Here we get paid straight into our bank account - has been that way for probably 25 years or so - goodness, how inconvenient! and a good thing the judge saw your point with the guardianship issues also.
|
|
|
Post by lostchild on Nov 16, 2014 11:33:53 GMT -5
I get paid by direct deposit so I should say money is rarely deposited on expected day!
|
|
|
Post by lostchild on Nov 18, 2014 0:02:02 GMT -5
Getting frustrated because I am generating bunches of paper when doing my homework and my desk definitely isn't big enough for the computer plus opened binder with formulas and info.
I think I will purchase a desk for myself after Christmas! With extra filing space. For papers I've organized they are in room and closet. I am trying to get them all centrally located in the living room. But on plus note my grades have improved!!!
|
|
|
Post by Louie on Nov 18, 2014 2:50:41 GMT -5
it's good that your grades have improved lostchild! what are you studying?
|
|
|
Post by lostchild on Nov 18, 2014 4:52:08 GMT -5
Finance. I am learning equations like how to figure a net income increase or decrease over time and how to calculate earnings per share.
|
|
|
Post by papermoon on Nov 18, 2014 4:55:07 GMT -5
I'm glad I saw this thread bumped up by your posts, Louie and lostchild, because I had stayed in all day and forgot to go bring in the mail. There was only one piece but it's a good one... a lovely holiday card from my meditation center, with a beautiful bookmark gift enclosed. I will use it in the book I just started reading... "The Places That Scare You" by Pema Chodron... a chapter each night at bedtime (they're short chapters ). It's helping me pretend I'm brave while I go through my paper piles. I'm now up to working at it for 48 minutes each day for the past 3 days so far.
|
|
|
Post by Louie on Nov 18, 2014 5:00:01 GMT -5
ooh I like Pema Chodren too You ARE brave doing the papers papermoon and 48mins a day is wonderful! When I think back to how anxious I used to get, I'd feel physically ill just thinking about it. it has gotten a lot better now thank goodness. I will have to look up that book now...
|
|
|
Post by angela on Nov 18, 2014 12:28:13 GMT -5
I've started in on my paper Dragon. The big, black hole of financial disaster that hovers just on the edges of my mind day and night. So, I've started by clearing out the file categories in my little file box in order to make room to file papers out of the two paper piles here in my sitting room. I've done my utilities folder, unemployment folder, mortgage folder, home insurance, and auto insurance. Also my miscellaneous folder. Icky stuff from when I was working at my previous job and not making enough money, lots of late notices and collection letters. All in a bag for the burn pile now. Also the things from the employment division and the things the woman that fired me had wrote so I would not get unemployment. I never did get an unemployment check but was only unemployed for a month before I started part time at another store. I can't say I have released all resentment from that time. I've got enough room in the little file box cleared so I can do some of this filing. I'm trying to get my little label maker charged so I can make new labels for the files. But really, even this work is a diversion from the paperwork I need to do re S's estate and the joint household services that are under his name.
|
|
|
Post by papermoon on Nov 18, 2014 17:24:32 GMT -5
angela, I had to interweave some nontoxic paperwork to counterbalance the rough stuff. Just mentioning this as a safety precaution for you. I found that even though my paper piles were shrinking, there was a matching pile-up of toxic emotions that eventually brought me to a standstill washed by new waves of depression. This happened every time until I learned to monitor myself verrrrry carefully. This is why I like to shred immediately as I go along. The toxins get released right away. Try to fit in some spirit-comforting activity after your paperwork. Lately for me it's been going out in the fresh air to look up into trees and sky, and exhale.
|
|
|
Post by papermoon on Nov 18, 2014 17:35:08 GMT -5
Yesterday I started clearing out some old file folders from my household section. One folder marked "Housekeeping" contained only one piece of paper... an article on cleaning wooden floors from a magazine dated 1999. I have lino floors now. Other folders were equally laughable.
I shredded utility bills from 2001-02, as well as all the detailed usage pages from 2001-2008. I must say, it's quite nice that utilities are included in my rent here, so there's not a speck of utilities paperwork for the past 4+ years.
I've filled another bag with 5+ pounds of paper to recycle. Will seal it today and drop it down the recycling chute...*ka-boom*...I love that sound!
|
|
|
Post by jendela on Nov 18, 2014 17:46:34 GMT -5
Hello all paper declutterers, I have put myself on the waiting list for Pema Chodron at the local library in preparation for making a serious start on boxes of paper clutter, dating back years
Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with old magazines? I don't think I could toss them without looking in case I miss that life changing article.......
|
|