So you know that paying your bills on time, maintaining records of expenses, and making a budget are important parts of managing your money, but you can't quite get everything organized? If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by the task of keeping track of your cash, don't worry! Here are a few easy tips that can help you get your finances in order and keep the chaos to a minimum.

1. Get your receipts together! There's nothing worse than trying to keep track of your receipts when you put some in your wallet, stuff a few in your jeans pocket, and forget altogether where the rest ended up.
   
   It's important to keep receipts from purchases so that you can check account statements and credit card bills to be sure all of the amounts are correct. Receipts can also help you get an idea of how much you are spending each month on things such as food, entertainment, and transportation.
   
   Designate a specific place to put all of your receipts, like a shoebox or a big envelope. Every time you make a purchase, remember to take the receipt out of the shopping bag or your wallet and put it in the spot you've chosen. Gathering your receipts in the same place will help you deal with all of those pesky little pieces of paper.

2. Pay bills ASAP. It's easy to set bills aside that aren't due for a few weeks and then completely forget about them. To avoid late fees on bills, pay them as soon as possible after they arrive. If you can't pay a bill right away, be sure to put it in a conspicuous place where it won't get lost or forgotten.
   
   It's a good idea to pencil in bill due dates on a calendar so you can plan ahead for payments. Remember to allow several days for mail handling, even if the destination is in your city. If you wait until the due date to send the bill, it may not arrive on time.

3. Two words: file folders. A good filing system can save you a lot of stress when it comes to getting organized. File folders are cheap, easy to set up, and practical to maintain. Simply stick a label on each folder and put all your papers inside.
   
   Create folders for things such as utility bills, credit card bills, savings or checking account information, school papers, car insurance documents, and anything else you can think of.
   A good rule of thumb is to save all documents, receipts, and correspondence, even if you don't think they are important. You never know when you might need to look back at an account statement or verify a purchase from six months ago.

4. Get a calendar. Whether you prefer to use an old-school wall calendar or a modern hand-held organizer, a calendar is a great tool for getting organized. Not only can you keep track of appointments and social events, a calendar can help you manage your finances. Use it to keep on top of payment due dates, application deadlines, paydays, and other important information.

Following these tips for getting organized can help you avoid spending hours looking for a misplaced receipt or a paycheck stub. Even when you've got your files organized and your bills in order, managing your finances can sometimes be tricky. If you have any questions, call or come by your Credit Union. We'll be glad to help you out!