The real cost of being disorganized

One of the best resolutions for any year is to get more organized. Getting more organized can make you feel better, but it can also save you time and money! Every time you forget an item at the grocery store, miss a doctor’s appointment or send a payment in late you get nailed. It might seem like a little annoyance at the time, but over the year, it adds up.

Impulse shopping and eating out

As much as 20% of our purchases are unplanned according to a study from the University of Pennsylvania. That’s one in five items in your cart. That can translate to an additional $2500 per year spent that was off budget. Impulse dining out can cost more than $1000 extra each year. A little restraint could save you $3500 per year! Avoid these money pits by planning ahead. Shop with a list and stick to it. Plan meals for the week and stick to that as well. You’ll likely eat healthier and save money if you plan ahead.

Running late or forgetting appointments

Miss a doctor’s appointment without calling ahead and you can be charged $50-$75 for your forgetfulness. Running late for your pick up at daycare costs $1 per minute. If you run 20 minutes late each month that’s $240 per year. Even if there is no penalty attached, if you miss a tennis lesson or a tutoring session, you paid for that time. That can be anywhere from $25-$60 an hour depending on the service. Most don’t refund or have make-up classes. Forget to pay a credit card on time – yikes – late fees, interest, penalties and sooner or later the credit bureaus will hear about it.
Stay organized with a planner. Review the entire week on a Sunday and then each night review the next day. Use your cell phone as a planner and you’ll always have it with you. Set the alarm to remind you of what’s coming – two hours ahead and 30 minutes ahead. Most importantly, don’t schedule meetings or activities you know you’ll miss or have trouble keeping. Be realistic from the beginning and you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble… and expense.

Source: Cozi