Organization is akin to sanity.
As you join more Internet based businesses, or begin a legitimate work at home business, you will find there are many things to keep track of.
If you start losing track, well that's where the frustration can set in.
Bypass any frustration and insanity by keeping your computer files, your emails, logons (usernames) and passwords, and most importantly - your accounting completely organized.
If you have ever worked in an office, you should be at least slightly familiar with filing.
Usually, you have a huge bank of filing cabinets with hundred (if not thousands) of paper file folders with tons of paper in each one.
Whether it be sales reports, receipts, invoices, contracts or anything else, there is usually a system that allows anyone (if it's a good system) to open a file drawer and find what they need.
At the very least, you should be able to open the drawer and find what you, or others, need.
It should be the same way at home.
Don't leave your professional skills at work where they usually benefit someone else.
Take them home and use them to be more efficient, giving you more time for more important things like spending time with family and making money.
Let's start with your computer.
Does your 'My Documents' folder look like one long list of all different kinds of documents, relating to different topics? Do you have trouble finding documents or pictures? Creating a filing system on your computer should be as easy creating a filing system at your day job.
I worked in accounting for years and had four large filing cabinets in my office alone.
Needless to say, there were a lot of documents which needed to be kept for seven years.
We moved files to a storage area after 2-3 years, which required yet another system.
With all these documents, I (and my department) had to produce files, documents and information quickly to upper management.
So, instead of sitting in the corner on the floor laughing hysterically, I needed to have a system that was stable, yet flexible.
I tried to keep as much on my computer as possible.
I prefer paperless, yet had about a ton and a half of paper in my office alone! You can start by creating a file for a broad subject (i.
e.
Payables).
Then add folders to that file for each company or service you are paying for.
Then, each time you pay for something, copy the email receipt into a word document and save it with the name of the company or service you are paying and the date (i.
e.
Phone Co DEC07).
If you have paper receipts, you can create a physical version of your computer filing system.
Each time you get a paper receipt, make sure it gets filed properly.
Backing up your computer files is critical.
If you keep valuable information on your computer, you will want to run regular backups (I do one a week).
That way if your computer crashes for any reason, it won't devastate you.
Recreating one week's worth of records is easier than starting from scratch.
I actually do one more step.
To me, this is crucial for making sure I am being billed and paying out the proper amounts.
It also allows me to track my income and expenditures as each month (and the year) progresses.
Finally, this last step saves me dozens of hours at year's end when I start preparing the paperwork for my taxes.
This last step is this: Use a program like Quick Books or another accounting program to keep track of your income and expenses.
If you don't have access to, or don't know how to use any of these programs, you can create a spreadsheet and keep a running total of income and expenses.
I don't always get to enter in the information on a daily basis, sometimes not even weekly - but I do this at least twice a month to keep up (keep them on your desk or table until the info gets entered, then file them away).
The same sort of system can be used for your emails.
Create new folders for each specific subject (i.
e.
Newsletters) and for individual persons or companies (i.
e.
the Electric Co).
You can also set up files for each program, store, or service you subscribe to so you can keep track of your account info and all other information and documentation.
Then when you receive an email invoice, update, etc.
just drag and drop it into the appropriate folder.
Again, add the amount of the payable or receivable to your master spreadsheet before you file away your email.
Keeping a calendar to keep track of dates, appointments, deadlines, etc.
is very useful.
You can also create a spreadsheet to keep track of all your account information.
Not only do I keep my business information.
That way, if I forget, I have the info at my fingertips.
Also, it allows me to pass along the info to my partner, or anyone else, without interrupting my work too much.