Digital Photographs

Most of us have digital photos stored on more than one device. This is a complex category that can be time-consuming to organize. However, once you create a written outline, it will be easy to create electronic folders in the same format. Once organized, you will be able to easily enjoy your photos on a device, order prints, and create photo books.

Method A: Sort by date, then by topic. Create photo folders for each topic.

·            2015 Family Photos (Year)

o            2015 Disney Trip

o            2015 Beach Trip

o            2015 Sledding

·            2016 Family Photos (Year)

o            2016 Andrew’s Birthday Party

o            2016 Thanksgiving

 

 

Method B: Sort by subject, then by date. Create photo folders for each topic.

·            Chris and Bobby (subject)

o            2015 Sledding

o            2015 Beach Trip

·            Bailey (subject)

o            2015 Puppy pictures

o            2016 Obedience class

Method C: Sort by subject only. All photos, regardless of date, go into one folder. For example, you can put all of your dog Bailey’s photos in one folder.

Method D: Sort by date only. All photos from one calendar year, regardless of subject, go into one folder. You could choose to use either Method C or Method D, to begin with and then create subfolders later.


 

Steps to Organize Your Photos:

1.          BACK UP YOUR FILES! Use an external hard drive or keep a backup online.

2.          Create an outline on paper. Then, use the outline to create electronic folders in the same format.

3.          Move digital images into their designated folders. You can move all 2015 Trips into one folder first and then create folders for individual trips.

4.          BACK UP AGAIN! Label the folder “Revised Photo Folders” or other names to indicate the photos are organized.

5.          Consider making physical copies of your favorite photos to enjoy each day.

 

Expense Tracking

Tracking your finances is one of the most important things you can do to prevent financial hardships. Use the information below to create a monthly worksheet in a Word or Excel document. By tracking and analyzing each month, you can determine if you need to make changes to accomplish your goals.

All worksheets are available with your book purchase at www.essentialhomeorganization.com if you prefer to download and print them. See the Introduction section of this book for more details.

Summary for: (month/year)

·            Total income: $_____

·            Total savings: $_____

·            Total expenses: $_____

·            Total: $_____

Housing Costs: $_____

·            Mortgage/rent

·            Home equity loan

·            Heating/cooling

·            Electric

·            TV

·            Internet

·            Water

·            Sewer

·            Lawn care

·            Cleaning service

·            Security

·            Repairs

·            Misc

Transportation: $_____

·            Car loan

·            Fuel

·            Maintenance

·            Parking

·            Public transportation

Insurance: $_____

·            Home/Renter

·            Auto

·            Health

·            Dental

·            Vision

·            Misc.

·            Misc.

Food: $_____

·            Groceries

·            Dining out

·            Beverages

Education: $_____

·            Tuition

·            Tuition

·            Loans

·            Loans

Personal Care: $_____

·            Clothing

·            Shoes

·            Accessories

·            Hair cuts

·            Manicures

·            Misc.

·            Misc.

·            Misc.

 

 

Health: $_____

·            Gym

·            Prescriptions

·            Supplements

·            Vision self-pay

·            Dental self-pay

Childcare: $_____

·            Daycare

·            Nanny

·            Babysitter

·            School expenses

Pets: $_____

·            Licenses

·            Vet bills

·            Daycare

·            Boarding

·            Dog walker

Credit Cards: $_____

Misc: $_____