New Year's Resolutions: Everyone makes them, some people break them, and most are dissatisfied with the results at the year's end. Perhaps Americans have so much trouble keeping their resolutions because they lack motivation, or maybe they lack the time and energy. But more often than not, Americans can't keep their resolutions because they simply don't have the right tools.
Americans can keep their resolutions to stay organized financially in 2012 by simply going paperless. By having the bills and statements via email instead of through the post office makes organizing almost automatic since there's no paper mess to deal with. Luckily, there are a plethora of tools out there to help consumers stay organized financially online, which makes it easier than ever for consumers to be better with their money - without the paper. Taking advantage of some or all of these ideas will help you to become organized and get rid of all your paper:
Say no to paper. Most account providers, such as utility companies, credit card companies and banks, provide consumers with the option of going paperless. This just means that customers would no longer receive their bills, statements and other account documents through the mail, and instead they will receive them electronically via email. All of the important account information is still available, typically on the service provider's web site, but it's online and easy to see instead of on paper where you have to manually sort through sheet after sheet of documents.
Use paperless software. There are new paperless tools popping up online every day, so it's important that consumers find the tool that works for them. Online money management tools give consumers a complete overview of their finances from one place. You can even download software so you can start keeping track of where you're spending your money immediately. Users will create a profile that divides their fiscal lives into categories such as finance overview, assets and credits, insurances, and income and expenditures. Once all the information is in, users can get their complete financial picture in one place on their computer.
Scan important documents. One way to eliminate paper storage in managing your finances is by scanning bills and statements and organizing them on your computer desktop. By simply designating digital folders for different accounts, such as utilities or credit cards, consumers can organize their finances in one place on their own computers. Not only does this eliminate the fire hazard that storing year after year of files can pose but it prevents them from accidentally losing bills or statements they may need later.
Americans can make 2012 the year of keeping their New Year's resolutions, especially if the resolution is to stay organized financially. With paperless solutions like these, it's too easy not to be financially fit.
Steward Gearlds found a great website that let him pay all his bills online, allowed him to go on a paper diet and get organized financially. Manilla has the tools and information you need to succeed to simplify your finances by going paperless and never miss another payment.