Keep Your Addresses Simple & All In One Place
How many times have you gone to your address book, only to find
that you’ve had 4 or 5 different entries for one person and you’ve
used up tons of room? So you cross off, try to erase or go over the
pencil with pen to make it slightly easier to read. Do you end up
purchasing new pages to copy the information over again. This is
fine if you have spare time on your hands and some extra cash.
Have you ever found just the right address book and thought that
it would work forever, but when you went to replace the pages or
tabs, you found they weren’t available anymore? How do you keep all
of these addresses in alphabetical order if you are constantly adding
or changing information?
In 1987, I started doing direct sales. Without all of the great
software that’s out today, it was hard to keep track of all the client
information I had. So I started using index cards and boxes to log
all of my clients and their pertinant information. The different
information was broken down in all sorts of ways, for example, hostesses
of parties were in the box with monthly tabs so that I could keep
track of when they had their parties. I also put cards for upcoming
parties in there. Hostesses personal information and clients who
didn’t host parties were in a regular address card file in alphabetical
order.
After I got out of direct sales business for a bit, I had index
card files left. It occurred to me that when a customer no longer
wished to purchase products, I took her card out and put it in a
box for non-purchasing clients. The ones left were STILL in alphabetical
order. Since I had all the boxes and tons of cards, why not use them
instead of my address book? I copied all of my addresses onto index
cards and put them in the boxes.
One day however, we moved and my mother thought I could use an address
book she had laying around. It had a bunch of single, small inserts,
one for each person, so I could take out old ones and put in new
ones without ruining the alphabetical order. Again, I switched. This
book was a good idea, but that company isn’t around anymore, or at
least “I” couldn’t find their replacements. Also, the little inserts
didn’t hold up for very long.
I went on an Christmas organizing retreat and was introduced to
some great address cards that are the size of large index cards.
What I'd been using wasn't working, but until my kids started handing
me lists with all of their friends information on it, I didn't realize
how much I missed this concept. When I saw how nice the cards were,
I wanted them! Just pick up index boxes, size 4"h x 6"w
x 2 1/2"d or something close from your local stationary store.
Purchase these unique and specialized cards and start writing. I’ll
forget to write down the different information on my own. With these
cards, I don’t have to remember, they’re pre-printed!
With three teens in the house, there are a LOT of friends to have
to know about. For a while, I had a piece of paper torn out of their
notebooks with a list of their friends phone numbers. But with these
cards, everyone fills out the info on their friends and puts it into
the pretty box on the counter. If they're not friends with one of
the kids anymore, they can just throw away the card. How much easier
can it get? I'll tell you... We have a tiny pencil that fits inside
the box. It's called a pocket pen/pencil
set. This way, everyone can write in pencil so they can erase
if their friends information changes.
Krisann Blair of Christmas Organizing made
these to keep your friend's, family's and client's names and addresses
(plus more information) organized in a different way. Perfect for
home and business! I recommend these to anyone and everyone.
Wouldn't it be great if you had a central place to put everyones
information and when someone moved, you could just make a new card
without taking it out of alphabetical order? I know I'm thrilled
to have received these for my home.
You can find the information cards at: ChristmasOrganizing.com
Copyright © 1999 - 2002 Susie Glennan
Susie Glennan has been happily married since 1982, is mom to 3 teenagers,
and is a Home Maker, Nurturer, Teacher, Author, Professional Speaker,
Toastmaster, President of The Busy Woman, Inc., DBA - The Busy Woman's Daily
Planner®. She teaches time management seminars, offers FREE consultations
with your order, and will help you set up a schedule that's right for you.
800-848-7715 www.thebusywoman.com
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