Book Review: The Joyful Business Planner

A little background:

The 4th quarter of 2016 my business took off. A few of you may know that I have a small business called NaturalTherapyPacks.  I create hot/cold therapy packs, sinus pillows, migraine pillows and kids heat packs loaded with lavender buds. I have a small shop on etsy and also sell locally on the air force base,  craft shows, thru 2 chiropractors offices, several shops and also via Facebook. I spent all of last fall sewing like crazy as I kept running out of product at my local shows. This happened 4 times between September and December!

I've come to the conclusion that I need to get more organized and I also need to start considering and praying about the future of my little business. I have for the first time started hearing back from customers that I've helped the last 3 years regarding how much my therapy packs have helped them with their chronic pain, migraines, allergies, etc.

The Joyful Business Planner

A Guesstimating Tool for Organizing your Small Business

by Kate Martin, CPO

ISBN: 978-1539141815

Paperback: $16.95

Recently I was asked to review The Joyful Business Planner by Kate Martin and while it's a small book I'm finding this book is exactly what I'm needing. I am not a organized person at all but the format of this book is carefully laid out with worksheets, calendars, tips and to-do suggestions. 

The book is set up in 5 sections:

Part One is your business overview

- Your business plan, yearly goals, business at a glance and policies/procedures

Part Two is Marketing

- How are you going to tell everyone about the services and products you have available?
Part Three is Yearly Tracking

- What is your actual budget for the year?
Part Four is Monthly Calendars. 

- Quarterly Reviews, see what went well and what you need to work on.
Part Five is Wishlists & Aspirations

- Worksheets showing customer wish list, my wishlist, website changes, etc... 

I loved that I didn't feel overwhelmed and that the information is presented in small chunks that are easy to read and understand even when I'm tired, my mind isn't functioning so well and/or I'm so busy I'm being pulled in 6 different directions. Another thing I liked about the book is that I can see how it would be helpful for tax time since everything will ideally be done at the end of each quarter and organized in a easy to find format. 

This book could easily be used for more than the Creative Entrepreneur. It will be helpful for anyone considering starting a business or already in business (and struggling like I am) & it will be useful for a variety of businesses.

Find Kate at: Organized Joy (her website) and on Facebook

Disclaimer: GivingNSharing was asked to review The Joyful Business Planner and provided a copy of the book. I did not receive any monetary rewards or other items. Thanks for reading GivingNSharing!

Last minute Gift Idea! Get your household and life organized for 2014!

The Confident Mom has done it again - better this time! This year she has revamped her Weekly Household Planner and released 2 versions:

A Blank one & one with "suggested" tasks already added. You just turn to that days page and everything you need to do to stay organized and on top of things is already listed. (No excuses now!) The best part? The Weekly Planner is FREE!

Details:

• It's FREE!
• It's digitally customizable, allowing you to create your own tasks or edit suggested tasks so you can fully utilize the planner no matter what your lifestyle!
• Breaks down household items into manageable daily and weekly tasks
• Utilizes smaller increments of time to keep the tasks from becoming too large and overwhelming.
• Create a smooth running, stress-free home

No stone is left unturned in the “suggested tasks” version—it includes everything from ironing, cleaning the bathtub, vacuuming under furniture, and washing the car to taking your vitamins, exercising, meal planning, and pampering yourself! It will even help you make sure you’re drinking enough water each day.

There is also a The Weekly Household Planner Supplement which is available for $6 and includes ALL of the following:

• Master Family Planner to keep track of the entire family’s activities on a daily/weekly basis.
• Special Occasion Calendar/Gift Planner so you’ll always be prepared for the next birthday or special occasion.
• Holiday Gift Planner Worksheet to keep track of your holiday shopping list and purchases.
• Babysitter Information Form so your sitter has all the important info he or she needs.
• Quick Contacts to keep important contacts available for easy reference when you need them in a hurry as well as frequently used numbers.
• Family Emergency/Medical Information Form to keep medical and insurance info easy to find and share with those that need it.
• Website/App List for Kids so you can record websites/apps your kids are interested in.
• Website/App List for Me so you can record websites/apps you want to visit or buy.
• Account Keeper Sheet to keep track of online accounts, including usernames and passwords.
• Weekly Menu Planner/Shopping List so you arrive at the store prepared and don’t over-purchase.
• NEW—Let’s Plan a Party Form helps you keep track of party planning details such as guest list, menu, party favors, and activities.
• NEW—Bible Bookmarks provide suggested daily reading, enabling you to read the entire bible in a year. 

I think Susan from The Confident Mom has covered most everything you could use to keep your home organized and running smoothly - a suggestion I might make for next year is a Mobile version for our phones! I bet she come come up with a great APP version we could use!

To get your FREE planner - read the directions under the link below:

Click Here

and then click on eBooks & Printables

Scroll down to 2014 Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner

Organizing for Moms

Have you found the perfect calendar yet? I usually wait until now to find a calendar mostly because I refuse to pay $15 to $20 (or more for my daytimer) for a calendar. I've found just the tool. I can print out what I need, when I need it and don't end up having scads of extra papers, sections and categories I'll never use. (Anyone need a mileage planner?)

The Printable Planner for Moms is unique because 

you only print the forms that benefit YOU!

With The Printable Planner for Moms yearly membership you receive:
* Weekly Planner Pages
* Monthly Calendar Planning Pages
* Address Book
* Dr Appointment Planner
* Bible Study Planner
* At a Glance Special Dates by Month
* Christmas Card List
* Password List 
* Menu Planner with Grocery Lists 
* and more added as the year goes on.....

Is there something on the list you don't see (full list here)? As a member you can request a list or form for what you need!

As a member of The Printable Planner for Moms you will receive all of this for just $4.99 per year!

Download what you want, when you want, and more for just one low membership price per year.
You may cancel at anytime!

One of YOU may receive a Lifetime Membership to The Printable Planner for Moms! Cool Huh?

Don't want to enter? Pls Tweet:
#WIN a 2012 membership to The Printable Planner for #Moms, 1/31, US @hbixler03 Pls RT @familyliteracy #organization

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Cleaning Tips to Protect from Identity Theft

Hi!  My name is Tina Peterson and I am a paper addict.

There I admit it.  Part of the problem is that I just don't know when I'll need something so I hang onto it.  Part of it is that I don't have anywhere to take papers that need to be shredded (I used to take them to work) and so these papers just sit in a bag waiting for me to take them to Office Max or Office Depot to pay for them to be shredded - and I just CAN'T bring myself to do that.

Here are the Top 5 Tips from the Identity Theft Resource Center for spring cleaning the home office:

I need to do this:

Begin with the Basics: Sort through the piles of paperwork on your desk and in your office drawers.  Place them into two categories: ‘save’ and ‘shred.’

Proper Storage: Organize the "save" pile into labeled folders and be sure to put anything confidential into a fire-proof lock box.  The "shred" pile should be properly disposed of with a Cross-Cut shredder, such as a Fellowes P-12C. 

Cross-Cut technology is an important feature for a shredder because it provides high security, destroying confidential information into unidentifiable pieces.  Equally important are enhanced safety features, such as Fellowes' SafeSense technology, which shuts the machine down when hands come too close to the paper opening, which is so important if you have children.

(Note: the Fellowes Cross Cut Shredder is available at Target for $84.99.  It fits under your desk, has a 4 gallon basket to hold your shredding and will shred up to 12 pages at a time - including staples, paper clips and credit cards)

I need to do this:

Get a Digital Makeover: Refresh your home office computer by deleting files you no longer use and backing-up important data onto an external hard drive.  Clean out your inbox and change all passwords.  Refreshing your computer is a good practice to follow throughout the year as well.

Make Life Easier: Plan ahead by purchasing organizational tools for your desk, such as computer risers or file folder holders.  This will help clear clutter from your desk top while keeping things within arms reach.

Freshen Up: Get rid of dust and germs that easily build up on office equipment such as keyboards, telephones and cabinets.  You'll feel instantly more productive with a clean workspace.

Simplify Your Life by Marcia Ramsland

I took a 6 week women's class at church a couple of years ago based on the book Simplify Your Life by Marcia Ramsland of OrganizingPro.com.  We all agreed that 6 weeks was not enough time to utilize everything that Marcia's book had to share.  In this book you will learn how to: Simplify your weekly calendar, daily schedule, personal organizing center (no more piles!), and have a great day!.  She then walks you through 4 systems that will teach you the steps to succeed at organizing your life and keep it that way.

She has a couple of wonderful articles on organizing the paper in your life and also organizing your desk.  You can purchase her book HERE and while you wait you might check it out these articles:

Five File Folders Save the Day!

The Mail Toss

“Mondays with Marcia on Midday” 

Teaches you how to "Simplify Your Life" -7 Weeks to a NEW “Organized You!

You’re Invited to Class!

YOU can be a part of a nationwide class to Simplify Your Life! You can either listen live on radio, online live or the archived version! Go to:

www.middayconnection.org

“Midday Connection”

Monday, January 10

10-11 a.m. PCT//Noon-1 p.m. CST

Class Materials: Book “Simplify Your Life”

_____________________

Please tweet these important tips - thanks!

"Spring Cleaning Tips to Protect from Identity Theft, @fellowes, @one2onenetwork, #identity_theft, #safety #office http://ning.it/esZdOr"

Disclosure: I didn't receive any products or monetary payment for this post although I have been entered into a drawing for 1 of 9 Fellows Cross-Cut Shredders.

Tota Storage (Review/Giveaway)

A winner has been drawn for the Tota Storage Baskets, they have until 2/2 at 10 pm

to respond or another winner will be choosen.  Thanks for entering!

Tota Storage Baskets

I have a very small 2 door sports coupe that is also used to store my Usborne Books business during my busiest time of the year - basically from April to December.  I've been in business for the last 4 1/2 years and have been desperate for some way to organize the car ever since.  Here is a quick run down on the contents of my car at any given time:

• 2 suitcases filled with inventory for bookfairs, homeshows, booths, etc.
• A canopy for outdoor events
• 6' folded plastic table
• A 4' table that doesn't fold up (this table literally runs from door to door in my back seat, there's not an extra inch left!)
• 2 book racks
• Miscellaneous business supplies
• a canvas fold up chair for me
• Any extra display pieces, posters, etc
• Groceries, coats, etc

Around Thanksgiving I came across a really cool contest to WIN a $100 GC and of course I entered (who wouldn't?).  The contest was to help promote a brand new company, Tota, which sells these neat storage boxes you can use in the car, at home, in your van or SUV, the basement for seasonal items like sweaters, scarves, mittens, etc.  I've been wanting a set of these super handy boxes for a few years now but of course never wanted to spend the money on them till I could see if I liked them.

After I "liked" their facebook page Robert at Tota contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing their storage boxes and sharing with my readers my thoughts on them.  Of course, I said yes!

I was sent a set of their plastic core Grocery Storage Boxes to test and review and love them.  They're huge! 

To give you an idea how big they are and how much they hold, check this out!

• Use it with 3-4 plastic bags.
• Use with 2 cloth bags.
• Use it with 2 paper bags.
• Be eco-friendly and use it with NO BAGS!

Pick up the Tota by the handles and carry your groceries right into the house!

The Paper Core Tota Grocery Storage Box is the perfect solution to safely stabilize items in your trunk while transporting them home.  (When these get old and beaten up, put it in with the paper items to be recycled!

The Plastic Core Tota Grocery Storage Box is not as affected by moisture from cold or wet items giving this version a longer life span. 






My review:  I received 2 of the plastic core storage boxes and like I said they are really sturdy.  There are 2 mesh pockets on both long sides of the boxes and the handles are on the short sides.  When you don't wish to leave your boxes up in the car or house, you just pull the hard bottom up by the ribbon loop and fold the boxes down flat and store the bottom inside.  The sides are NOT hard, they are canvas with a light plastic inside, so I wouldn't use them to store books or anything heavy that could bend them.  I personally think they will be really handy to store seasonal clothes, hats/mittens, kids clothes, etc.  And of course, they're great for grocery shopping, laundry, etc.

I am planning on giving these as gifts for weddings and Christmas next year.  It's not something that everyone would buy for themselves - but they would be the perfect gift for someone that has everything.

Buy your own Tota!

Right now all Tota Storage Boxes are ON SALE through the end of January!  Click on the link to the left and get an additional 25% off!

They're available in Taupe with a Maroon edge or Blue.

A set of 2 plastic core storage boxes is now $22.99  $17.25

A set of 2 paper core storage boxes is now $19.99  $14.99

(I'd splurge and get the plastic core so they last longer.)

PS: Tota will also donate 50 cents for each Tota sold to their local food pantry So, everyone wins!  Please use the code word SHARESAVE so they know you came from GivingNSharing for your purchase.  =D

WIN a Tota for Yourself!

Mandatory entry:

"Like" Tota Storage on Facebook, this is Mandatory and must be done before any optional entries please.  Be sure to leave a comment on their page and leave me the hyperlink.  Thanks so much!

Optional Entries:

(Pls note, these entries are optional. You do not have to do them to be entered. You do need to do the mandatory entry. Please include your email address on each comment. You can enter your email this way: contact(dot)thebooklady(at)gmail(dot)com)   NOTE: (+3 = 3 entries)

Follow ME on GFC (left sidebar)

Follow ME on Twitter

Follow ME on Facebook

Add this giveaway to any book hops or giveaway linkies using this link (be sure to leave the web address w/ your comment) (My computer is down at home, so I really appreciate your help!) (+3) 

Tweet: " @familyliteracy WIN a Tota Grocery Storage System @ http://ning.it/edCsi5 Ends 1/28, US, #organizing, #home, #shopping " (can RT daily 3x (5 hours apart pls), please add hyperlink to comment)

Get organized with Tota Storage ! Suggest Five or more friends to their Facebook page & earn FIVE BONUS ENTRIES! Comment below for credit (+5) (Keep your receipt and if you WIN I'll need to see it)

Details:
The US Winner will be drawn on 1/28 at 10 pm. They will have 48 hours to respond to my email w/ their address so their book can be shipped to them. Street address - no PO Boxes please.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a Tota Grocery Storage System for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Savings on Calendars.com

Last year I stumbled upon the File-It line of calendars and snapped it up!  I had been feeling really unorganized with my Usborne Books business the prior year.  It seemed like I had receipts all over and to many methods of bookkeeping going on - very frustrating.

Each of the months in the calendar is a separate file folder.  At the end of each month I just tear it out, total up my categories: business, personal and anything else I need to keep track of.  Then I just plug it into my file cabinet and it's all ready for taxes.  The back of the file folder has a section for notes.

Right now calendars.com is offering FREE Shipping if you use Coupon Code: SR0633

Hmmm... I just noticed this calendars on sale & I haven't gotten mine yet.   See ya!