Tag Archives: record keeping

Backing Up Computer Records

It used to be a common worry for people as to what might happen if the computer “broke down.” Many of us were trained to back up our computer records on floppy disks and keep them in safe places. More and more, I think we generally feel more complacent and are less likely to consistently back things up and worry that all could be lost even though computers still crash and information can be impossible to retrieve. I do think, however, that for a home business it can still be a good idea. If you keep your financial records on … Continue reading →

Is It Still Important to Keep a Paper Trail?

I still occasionally hear people refer to keeping a “paper trail” of an agreement or project or correspondence. I have written before about the “paperless” office movement, and it seems like deciding whether or not to keep a paper trail of things in our home businesses is definitely related. Is it still important? And what is the best way to keep a paper trail of customers/clients or other business issues? I confess that I really don’t have a lot of hard paper files anymore. This might sound strange for someone who makes a big chunk of her living writing, but … Continue reading →

Getting Ready to “Close the Books”

I really cannot believe that 2007 is nearly over. In addition to all the personal and familial changes and developments over this past year (the year I turned forty, by the way)—it has been a busy and growing year in my home business as well. As I look at the calendar and realize there are only three weeks or so left in the calendar year, I realize it is nearly time to “close the books” on another business year too. There are a few things to wrap up before the year turns over, and then there will be the collecting … Continue reading →

Spread Sheets for Single Parent Record-Keeping

I don’t know about you, but with three kids, as well as myself to look after (and three cats)—keeping track of information and records can be a difficult part of the single parent’s job. Whether it is dental appointments, booster shots, or even when everyone had the chicken pox—having all of this information at my finger tips can be tough. A few years ago, I decided to take the spread sheets that I love so much in my home business—and use them to organize some of my family information too. This makes the records easy for me to keep track … Continue reading →

Keeping a Parenting Journal

As a writer, I have boxes and drawers of journals. I’ve been scribbling in notebooks and journals for four decades and it tends to be how I organize my work, keep track of my life, and vent about all sorts of things going on. I would like to suggest that even if you aren’t a writer, and even if you’re handy with a camera or a video recorder—keeping a parenting journal can be a very worthwhile activity. When all three of my children were small, I kept a special journal just for “parenting” stuff—it is full of accounts of our … Continue reading →

Dealing With the Board of Ed

Some of you who have read my blogs know that our family is in New York. When I’m writing in the homeschooling blog I can write that as New-York-Sate-the-most-unfriendly-home schooling-state-ever. Our state is highly regulated with no less than 7 pieces of paperwork that I have to turn in per year. (And that doesn’t include the records I have to keep until each child finishes high school.) A few days ago, I had my first ever “confrontation” with the Board of Education. I want to write a year end evaluation of my child and the powers at the Board of … Continue reading →

Preparing the Homeschool Portfolio

Yesterday, we talked about why you should keep good records. Many states have forms that they just give you to fill out. Simple enough. But if you live somewhere where either you’re required to produce a portfolio or where you don’t have to keep records to turn into the state, a portfolio is a good option since it effortlessly records your child’s progress. Did I say effortlessly? Yes, this is not wait until the night before your son graduates high school and put a portfolio together for him, this is something that you keep as your child grows. The first … Continue reading →