I'm allergic to paper!!! or words written on it!

Everyday living
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Wonder if anyone can suggest a solution to my lack of organisation. I’m single now, have been for years and find letters, bills and finances so difficult. I have tried various ideas of my own to organise but nothing seems logical. I need a simple way to do things…file paperwork, reminders to pay bills, appointments to name a few. Ideas would really be appreciated.

Happy New Year :slight_smile:

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Keeping diary and contacts bang up to date on icloud is essential for me.

Also monthly direct debits for all bills - utilities, credit cards etc. And on off-the-shelf budget tracker (there are plenty of them, some of them free) to keep on top of what is expected in/out on the current account in the month.

I do things online where possible to keep down the deluge of bumph that comes through the door. There is still plenty of it, though, and 85% of it goes straight in the recycling bin as soon as the postman has been.

It’s still chaos, though!

Alison

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Hubby does a spreadsheet for all household income and outgoings. It’s a good way of forecasting.

Plus get a calendar with lots of space to add things like appointments, important dates, birthdays etc.

Keep appointment letters by the phone in a file in date order, then you can check them when you receive a new one.

Ask for mobile reminders for NHS appointments.

Polls

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I try to deal with mail as soon as it arrives. Junk mail goes in the bin, Hubby pays the bills (Direct Debit is a good way to deal with bills if you’re on your own), file anything that needs to be filed, enter any appointments in a diary or calendar. A calendar is better if hung in a prominent place.

A spreadsheet is a good way to keep track of income and outgoings, and there are apps to help with this.

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Hi Annie

I fell in love with my iPad and iphone, partly for the organisational aspects. I hardly ever use the phone to make calls, but I use the apps to completely arrange my life. I use:

  • the calendar to keep track of appointments
  • the reminder app to tell me what tasks I have to do and when
  • notes, so I know what questions etc to ask at doctor appointments as well as notes of user names etc
  • a diary app, which I’ve been using for 5 years now to keep records of what I feel and when
  • a word processing app for letters and notes
  • a spreadsheet app (tbh my OH uses this more than me as I’m crap at spreadsheets and finances generally)
  • the clock (as an alarm clock as well as just as a timepiece)
  • an app called ‘ShopShop’ which is a shopping list that you can score through as you pick up items in a shop
  • my bank account
  • contacts, instead of an address book

Without the apps (which you can also get for other devices, not just Apple products), I’d be lost. In effect, what I’ve done is replace all of the old paper based aids with apps.

In terms of paper records, I have a collection of plastic wallets each one serves a particular purpose. So there is a dedicated DWP one, one for my personal bits and pieces, one for the car, one for the cat, etc.

Being completely honest, I also have an OH who does most of the sorting out of finances, bills etc. But he also uses exactly the same methods of organisation that I do.

Sue

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There you go…All these ideas.

If any of us needs advice on this subject, the answers are all here!

Failing that, we can pay an accountant if we can find the dosh!

Pollsx

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Thank you for all your suggestions. I’ve managed to find a diary app that reminds me of anything, appointments, direct debits, gym appointments etc. I can even make notes about anything so think that will help. I’ve decided year 2017 will be a me year. I had to finish work two years ago and have wasted so much time stagnating. Start a degree in September (always promised myself one) Joined the gym, proper this time and have become involved with my local MS group. Feel so much better now. Thanks again x

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