Top 3 Cleaning Tips When Your Taxes Are Done

Traditionally, today would have been the deadline for filing last year's tax return. However, since April 15th falls on Sunday this year, we get two additional days. Hopefully you've done your taxes or had them professionally prepared by now. If not, you only have until the day after tomorrow. Some post offices may be open late so that those who truly have waited until the last minute can still get their return postmarked and not have to file an extension.

Don't you wish housecleaning was like taxes? You have all year to prepare for it, then the deadline approaches and if you're still not ready, you can just file an extension. Well unfortunately, when it comes to cleaning house, it's not done until it's done. And if you continue putting it off (i.e. filing extensions), it only gets worse. While you won't have any penalties or interest, things will pile up, overwhelm you and get out of control.

Here are three things to do after your taxes are done:

File It
Since tax returns should be kept for a while, it's a good idea to keep them organized and protected. File a copy of your completed tax return along with all paperwork in a fire safe container in a cool dry area.

Save It
If you prepared your tax return electronically, be sure to save it in an accessible format on a CD or backup media instead of your computer's hard drive. You may also want to consider saving other important files/documents as well. This will secure your important documents if something happens to your computer.

Shred It
Periodically shred old bank statements, bills and other papers that contain your personal information. This can protect you from identity theft as well as ensure you have adequate space to keep your current important documents.

For more cleaning tips, purchase your copy of R U Looking? 31 Things To Look For When Cleaning Your Home today!

Spring Is Almost Here

It's almost spring and as the season changes, you smile as you hear the birds singing and enjoy longer days. As you look around your home inside and out, there are so many things you want to do or need to do. Where do you start?

If you start inside your home, R U Looking? recommends that you start by decluttering your home room by room. Having too much stuff in your home makes it difficult to find things and it also makes it harder to clean. It can hinder movement throughout your home and it prevents you from seeing the corners in your home. Spring is the perfect time to go through your home and discard items that may be broken or things you're not using or those things you just don't need anymore. This is also a great time to check and/or change filters especially since pollen and other allergens are in full force.

R U Looking? suggests that if you did your holiday cleaning, you may not have much to do. Some of the "spring cleaning" items include:

1. Cleaning and/or painting baseboards and checking corners for trash accumulation especially in the kitchen and bathrooms.
2. Moving and cleaning underneath large furniture and appliances including the stove and refrigerator.
3. Washing windows and window sills.
4. Having air ducts professionally cleaned, including the dryer duct.
5. Stripping the floors and applying a new coat of wax.

R U Looking? has tried and true tips not only for spring cleaning, but for maintaining a clean home at all times.   Click here to subscribe to our blog and purchase your copy of RU Looking? today!

Wannie and Lillie

5 Household Cleaning Tips for the Holidays and Beyond

Can you believe the holiday season is here again? Decorations are everywhere! The malls, local colleges, places of interest in the community and town squares are covered with lights, ornaments and garland. The trimmings along with the holiday music inspires us to decorate our own homes.

R U Looking? 31 Things To Look For When Cleaning Your Home always suggest making your home peaceful and this is especially true during the holidays so you can relax after a long day at work or shopping at the mall. Since this is the perfect time of the year to do your fall cleaning, below are 5 tips to help you get the job done:

1. Make a "to do" list: List cleaning tasks that need to be done before decorating.
2. Ask for help: If your list is overwhelming, don't be afraid to ask a friend, family member or a professional organizer for help.
3. Donate/Sell: Take this opportunity to bless someone with usable items, donate to charity or sell items for extra cash.
4. Discard: Check all your closets and/or storage areas and discard broken, soiled or unusable items. 
5. Decorate your "halls" to your liking and enjoy the holidays!

Before you deck the halls this holiday season, check out the tried and true tips suggested in  R U Looking? 31 Things To Look For When Cleaning Your Home. They will get you through the holidays and beyond. Books are on sale now and they make the perfect stocking stuffer. Get your copy today!

Be blessed,

Wannie and Lillie