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.

Nora Jone's ....Featuring

NORA Jones .... Featuring

Oh friends, I received a pre-release of Nora Jone's CD ...Featuring last night when I got home and started listening to it today on the way to work.  It's been on all day.  Nora has this hauntingly beautiful rich voice that is so easy to listen to.  ... Featuring is a combination of Jazz, country and hip hop.  The 18 songs on this CD feature cameo's and duets with legends such as Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parson and newer icon's like foo fighters, OutKast and Ryan Adams. 

Most of the songs on this delightful CD provide a depth to Nora Jone's singing style and abilities.  There are only a couple of songs on this CD that I just didn't care for, mostly because I felt that that the duets featured musicians that just don't have the depth and richness that you find when Nora sings.  She has a smoky quality to her voice that isn't found very often today.

The 2 songs that I could listen to over and over (and I have) are Love Me with The Little Willies whom I had never heard of and Here We Go Again with Ray Charles featuring Nora Jones.  The combination of these artists with Nora are matched so well it felt like they had been singing together for years.  Here We Go Again actually brought tears to my eyes which wasn't too good as I was at work typing my little heart out.  But it felt like I was sitting alone in the room while he was playing and she was singing with him.

I would of liked to hear Baby It's Cold Outside with someone other than Willie Nelson because his voice just doesn't have the same powerfulness that Nora's does and the strength of her voice really overpowered his.  And there was another song that I think if another artist had sung it with her it would of sounded so much better - but then it's hard to tell because I usually only care for hip hop sung by ladies such as Alecia Keys who is another powerful singer. 

Note: after I wrote this, I listened to Willie Nelson singing Baby, It's Cold Outside and it was definitely growing on me.  It seemed like his voice grew stronger as the song went on and maybe that's how it's supposed to be. 

“A lot of the people on this record are people I've worshiped since I was a kid, and some of them are younger and more my contemporaries,” says Norah. “Even though the musicians are so varied, the vibe of the songs makes sense when we put them all together.”

...Featuring Track Listing:

1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward

Would you like to stay in touch with Nora and find out about upcoming events for her?  Be sure to Follow her pages by clicking on the following links:

* Website: http://bit.ly/norahsite

* Facebook: http://on.fb.me/norahFB

* YouTube: http://bit.ly/norahYT

I highly recommend this CD for yourself or as a gift.  The wide variety of songs and the musicians will catch almost everyone's interest and enjoyment.  You can preorder ... Featuring online at Amazon for $9.99.  Just be sure to place a $25 order so you can get FREE shipping - infact, order 2-3 of them, 1 for yourself and the other's for Christmas gifts.



Disclaimer: I received a copy of ... Featuring Nora Jones from One2One Network for my reviewing pleasure.  My review is my own opinion and I am entering a contest to win one of 5 $50 gift cards through the One2One Network for participating.