Now is the time to get organized
It's the time of year when stores are
loaded with an assortment of calendars.
date books, and other record keeping
devices. Many of us tend to feel that we
could accomplish much more if only we
were better organized, says Dr, Karen
Behm, family resource management
specialist with the Louisiana Cooperative
Extension Service.
"'Tile after-Christmas letdown and
January bills convince us that something
needs to be done about the way we
manage our resources. To make
matters worse, tax time is just around
the corner, emphasizing the need to
keel-) good records." she adds
ttit h-A-Ride Kicks Off Second Year
Please don't
drive drunk
{Hammond, La.) .- HITCH-A-RIDE, a
I)r+)gran t> keep drunk drivers off the
r,.,d by giving them a free ride home.
kicks ,ff its second year this weekend.
.Sponsr*r. f)f tl:e program are the Tangi-
pat. Palish Sheriff's Office. WHMD-
FM 1(7. aud WFPR Radio.
('r,quiug through New Year's
lm,s can call 345 1774 to "'hitch a
The rvsponse last year was very
psitive." Ms. Stevens added. "By pro-
lU,,ml9 the HITCHARIDE program on
the air, we are also reminding people of
the dangers of drinking and driving. We
ae saying is "If you've had one too
ma:v, call a friend or call HITCH-A-
RII)E
lh: }HTCPI A RiDE phones will be
nlamed at the Tangipahoa Parish
ghmf['s substation this year. "Last year
we housed the program at the radio
'tati,n, and a sheriff's deputy was on
duty, along with many volunteers.
Sin(e the deputies are on duty anyway,
we decided to move the program to its
'natma]' place at the substation."
A deputy wifl take the call, then pick
Ul thv person or persons in the Sheriff's
au "N one will be hassled or arrested,"
said Sh,iffis spokesman Chuck Reed.
'We will be glad to give them a ride
[:ome It's extremely sad when one of
,,ur people has to go notify the next of
kiu in an alcohol related accident,"
Revd added
ttlTCtt A RII)E will be available
Iig}:tly {r,Il I() pln h) 3 am A few
,+olmecr are needed t, +, distribute
psters t,, bars and businesses. Anyone
wishing l(, donate a minimal amount of
ume may call Kelly Beavers. co-coordi-
nator at 345- 1774.
If 1986 really is your year to get
organized. Behm says you'It need to set
aside a couple blocks of time. First.
you'll need to decide what you want to
accomplish and how. After collecting the
necessary materials, another block of
time is needed for implementing your
plan.
Many people get frustrated and give
up after a few weeks because they
haven't allowed sufficient time to think
through what they want to do, says the
Extension management expert, who
admits that "getting organized" is often
a nebulous concept which has a different
meaning for nearly everyone. That's
why it's so important to decide what you
want to accomplish and discuss it with
your mate or others who might be
affected. At this time of year, time and
money management are big concerns
since the calendar year and tax year
begin January I for most people.
No one system is perlect for every-
one. Before deciding on a plan, she
says to examine yourself and your ways
of doing things. Are you a detail person
who plans time in 15-minute intervals or
balances the budget to the penny? Or
are you more comfortable with ballpark
figures?
Do you need to keep specific records
for accounting purposes or are you
trying to get control of your time or
money for your personal benefit? Will
you take the time to update your
calendar or balance the budget daily or
do you want a system that you adjust
monthly?
Do you prefer a structured schedule
with time allotted for cleaning, relaxation.
etc., or just a simple weekly reminder of
doctors' appointments, meetings or
other events? How well your system
matches your needs has a lot to do with
its success or failure.
It will also take awhile to get used to a
system, especially if you have not used
one before. Behm says. It will become
easier to make entries once it becomes
habit. She says to expect to make
changes after a few months. You may
find you need to add some new cate-
gories or can get by with less detail than
you originally thought. The proof of the
success of any system is m making it
work for you.
There is no magical system or any
one way to do it, she adds. Many
people like a loose-leaf notebook which
lets you choose only those forms that
are needed. Typical systems include
spaces for appointments, daily expendi-
tures, travel expenses and names with
phone numbers• More specialized forms
can be found for musicians, project
managers and other professionals.
Often. a simple calendar is sufficient
as long as there is enough space to
make notes. The size will depend on the
intended use. If the whole family is
involved, a large calendar hung on the
wall may be the most useful. Office
supply stores often sell them as refills for
desk blotters. They usually have plenty
of space for each date and easy-to-read
numbers.
Each family member can add their
events with a different colored marker
making it easy, to tell at a glance who's
revolved. If you're having trouble
keeping up with grocery, automotive
or other expenses where several family
members are involved, have everyone
jot his or her activities to be remembered
on the master calendar. At the end of
the month, expenses can be totaled and
entered in your record book.
People who spend a lot of time away
from their office or home may prefer a
calendar and/or record system that fits
in a pocket or purse. It's easier to avoid
overscheduling if your calendar is
always with you. Reimbursable travel
expenses can also be recorded on the
date incurred. Don't forget to record
mileage for regular volunteer activities.
if you deduct them.
If monthly reminders suit your life-
style better than those in such detail, a
card file with dividers labeled for each
month is easy to set up and use. Birth-
days. anniversaries, special events.
reminders to make or keep doctors'
appointments or to change the oil in the
car are just a few types of cards that
might be included.
You also may want to divide up
major household tasks so that a few are
included each month, rather that
tackling them all in the spring or fall.
The card system can also be used in
conjunction with a more detailed
calendr by using the cards as
reminders to make the appointments or
to do certain things, some of which may
not be entered on the master calendar,
Receipts and other notes also can be
filed in the box until the end of the
month, then transferred.
A card box can serve in place of a
master address book. The cards are
easy to change when the address
changes or the name. is no longer
needed. The cards also are big enough
to add such notes as birthdays, names
of children, gift ideas, where you first
met someone, etc. When planning a
trip, pull the cards with the addresses or
phone numbers you need.
In addition to filing cards alphabetically
or otherwise, the cards can be color-
coded to make finding them even
easier. Doctors should be on cards of a
color that will stand out. Behm suggests
using green cards for People you want
i +"+°+"' SAVii ,,],+oz.,.o+,+
II
II
i Budweiser. $5 59
OO0000000 O0 O0 OOOOOOO00000000q
$ Bud Light $5 29
00000000000 OOO00000000000000000
$299 Miller Lite .$529
00000000000 OeO000000000 O0000OO
$1.009.........Milwaukee's Best..........$3 '9
89.Z.......Busch Quarts...............89
1 Liter
Club Soda, Tonic, Ginger Ale
69,,
to send Christmas cards, so that you
can recognize them easier.
"Whatever devices you choose.
make them work for you." Behm says.
"They all have one purpose and t"ffat is to
help you feel and be in control of yore"
time and life." ....
= w,
THE PONCHATOULA TIMES, JANUARY 2, 1986, PAGE
• LW TLLkW
ii u i
ay the
warmth of
Christmas
abide in
your home
fOPVP.
lid 13111
EDWARDS and McNARY
Attorneys at Law
455 W. Pine St. Ponchatoula
II
386-9451
• Save 1/3
TOTE BAG
with thc purchase of 8100
or more.
Men's Winter Wear Reduced up to 60%
of regular prices, Just a few extlmplcm of out" fanmus name brands.
Suits by Palm Beach, Christian Brooks
and Nino Cerrutti
Slacks by Hubbard
Haggar and Sansabelt
Jeans by Levi's and Lee
Shirts by Campus, Arrow, John Henry
and Henry Grethal
Texaco Anti- Freeze....$3.991 Ties, Buyone...Get2ndone for 1/2 price
2 Liter ( Plus an additional 1.50 factory rebate) ! Sweaters by Izod, Campus, Colours
17oP and Pepsi ....98 Gal' Milk...$199 I Jackets by Izod, Gruls, Campus
ICoke Classic.....$109 Bail Ice.......79 Ladies Winter Wear Reduced up to 60%
of regular prices, Jtmt u few Item you'll !1 on de.
Blouses, Pants, Sweaters, Suits, Dresses,
Robes, Gowns, Shoes and Handbags
HAPPY NEW YEAR
From
Boofsy's Self-Serve No. No.
Luggage Reduced to 1/2 Price
Wrist Watches reduced to 1/3 off
I00onlalum00
Across from City Hall
Historic Downtown Hammond
Open !0 am-6 pm
•
