Strategies for Getting Organized

Digital maintenance is essential for problem-free computing and cybersecurity. Below is a list of tasks and articles to help implement them. Review the checklist monthly to avoid computer problems and assure cyber safety.  Checklist Create a password management system Adjust accessibility features Authorize account access to trusted individuals in case of death or disability Check adequacy of storage Contain cost of cable, Internet, and phone Checklist Keep contacts up-to-date Organize streaming services Scan for malware and adware Set up computers for remote access Turn on 2-factor authentication Turn on privacy settings Update all software Use automatic backups Articles Checklist for Cybersecurity Cloud Computing Computer Maintenance Digital Maintenance Monthly Maintenance Printer Maintenance Tech Tips Books Cybersecurity for the Home and Office Lawyer's Guide to Automation Troubleshooting and Maintaining Your PC Checklists Computer Maintenance  N...

Below are tips for surviving Pandemic induced inflation. Economists predict that the inflation will continue through 2023 due to labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and a diminished supply of goods and services. Get more information by reading articles about the long-term outlook for inflation and  adjusting your life to inflation .  Tips Curb meal costs by dining at home Use apps to find lowest prices Delay purchase of cars and luxury items Substitute lower cost items when selecting goods Continue saving about 10 to 15% of income for retirement Maintain stock investments and consider inflation protected Series I Savings Bonds

Avoid problems by periodically checking your legal health with the help of a lawyer. Areas to consider include contracts, consumer rights, estate planning, insurance coverage, retirement planning and wills. Annual legal legal checkups can avoid costly legal problems and resolve disputes without litigation. See below for links to articles, books, checklists, directories, and websites.   Articles Avoiding Legal Problems Finding a Lawyer Solving Family Feuds Keeping Your Side Gig Legal    Using a Lawyer for Your Business . Books ABA Guide to Consumer Law Checklists Business Law Consumer Law Directories Bar Associations Findlaw Justia Lawyers.com Nolo Websites Consumer Law (ABA) Business Law (Justia)

Organized people get things done with calendars, journals, and to do lists. These tools help users to prioritize and track status of personal and business matters. Follow the tips listed below to be effective and avoid stress. For more ideas, see the articles, apps, and books that follow the tips.  Tips Medium - determine whether paper or digital tools work better for you Prioritize - assign due dates to tasks and prioritize Review - review status weekly and reassess priorities Set a limit on the number of tasks scheduled per day Tech - Use a digital app for access on all of your devices Tools - keep tasks on a calendar, journal, or to do list Timing - schedule tasks as you think of them Articles Calendars Checklists Journaling Project Management To Do Lists Selecting a Tool Apps Calendars Checklists To Do Lists Journals Project Management Paper Products Calendar Journals Planners Books Checklist Manifesto Getting Things Done Habits of Highly Effective People

Take action to avoid disasters at home, work, and on the road. Start  by undertaking a risk assessment. Next prepare a recovery plan. For more help, consult the  articles, books, and videos listed below.  Articles Avoiding Disasters Family Emergency Binder Planning for Emergencies   Preparing for Disasters   Books Crisis Management Communications After Disasters Disaster Preparedness   Videos Building an Emergency Preparedness Kit Preparing for Disasters    

Help your children succeed at remote learning by nurturing their education and providing an inviting learning environment. Use whiteboards to remind them about class schedules and partitions to separate them from distractions. Hire a tutor to boost their confidence and improve their skills in language arts and math. For more tips and implementation strategies, read  articles about Creating Study Spaces , Hiring Tutors ,  Home Schooling , Monitoring Screen Time , and   Working When Kids are Home .   Also see the CDC's Checklist for Successful Home Learning  and Lifehacker's List of Learning Websites . 

A growing number of providers are using subscription services to bill users on a monthly basis. Monthly fees are charged by companies like Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Spotify. Avoid fees for unneeded services by periodically reviewing your monthly credit card statement to target services to terminate.  Share subscriptions with family/friends when possible to reduce save money. Click here for an article more tips on how to manage monthly subscriptions.

Thwart identity thieves with preventive steps online and offline. S tart by securely storing financial records, shredding receipts, and opting out of credit offers. Practice safe computing by encrypting your data and using secure passwords. Create IRS , Postal , and Social Security accounts before crooks do it for you. Send  phone calls from unidentified callers to voicemail and don't click links in suspicious looking emails.  Check Resources at the  FTC  and AARP websites for more information about how to keep your personal information secure. and read the  Apple Guide to Protecting Personal Data in Shared Accounts. 

Firms of all sizes are subject to security risks -- burglary, sabotage, theft, unauthorized  access, and workplace violence. Protect your assets and employees by reading articles about  security , c onducting a security risk assessment , adopting a security policy , and responding to a security breach .   Protect your data by reading an ABA article that provides a  Roadmap for Cybersecurity  and  study the ABA's book about  Cybersecurity for the Home and Office . Adopt a firm-wide  security policy and follow best practices recommended for users of Google Suite and Office 365 .

Sharing important information with your spouse and heirs will help them honor your wishes when you're gone. Avoid family squabbles by explaining your estate plan to your family.  Click here  for an article about how to create an Organizer for your family.

Lawyers and other professionals are susceptible to stressors like demanding clients, excessive workloads, and uncontrollable schedules. To help lawyers avoid stress, the ABA has produced several publications and videos, including a   Toolkit for Lawyer Well-Being . The Toolkit explains several strategies like limiting caseloads, practicing mindfulness, and staying connected to family and friends. Protect your health and your practice by using the Toolkit and other resources for stress avoidance. Mention the Toolkit to colleagues to help them avoid stress.