My Savings Plan - Clip Coupons!

I am embarking on a savings plan for a new car...Each month I am transferring a set amount from my checking to savings. In addition, I plan to transfer the amount I save each week by clipping coupons. Yes, it sounds like a lot of work or not all that much fun. But I have discovered that by watching the weekly grocery store ads for sales, clipping coupons from weekly fliers (Sunday paper) and the individual store coupons adds up to a lot of savings! This past week, I saved $12.55! Multiply that by 4 and that's $50/month. And I am just getting started...I hope to have enough saved within 2 to 3 months.

Out to Lunch

One of my very favorite secret places to have lunch in West Seattle is Blue Willow. This little gem of a place has the best homemade soups, quiches and sandwiches! They also have my personal favorite, polenta with roasted vegetables. Delicious! Everything is made from scratch, with love and served luncheonette style - you order at the counter and sit down to be served. Next time you are in West Seattle (Tues-Fri from 11-2:30), stop in and grab a bite!

Getting Organized for Tax Time

Trying to figure out what to do with that shoebox full of receipts again? The best way to get organized is to keep it simple...

• Organize bank and credit card statements by month
• Organize receipts by month, then by category - advertising, meals, office supplies, etc.
• Get file folders and label by month

You can hire a Bookkeeper to help you develop a system once you get organized. This will drastically cut your costs and help you stay on track for next year!

New Office!

Spitfire Bookkeeping has a new home in the International District! Just one block east of Uwajimaya in the Key Bank Building as of December 1, 2010. After I get adjusted to my new space, I will host an Open House sometime in the New Year. Thank you for your continued support!

New Clients!

I am so grateful to be inundated with new business! As many of you know, my passion is to help provide bookkeeping & social networking services to small business owners. I am very proud to be adding these awesome folks to my current client website list: Heavenly Pastry & Cake, Karazi Design, Proletariat Pizza, Todd Guitars and Repair and Twilight Artist Collective! I would also like to give a shout out to those clients who are currently working on websites and/or blogs: Above & Beyond Remodeling, Amos Cleaning Services, and Work In Progress. Thanks to those of you who have given me these great referrals! I appreciate your trust in me and love you all!

The Power of Positive Thinking

We often hear people say, "Think positively!" to someone who feels depressed or worried. How many people actually stop to think what the power of positive thinking means? Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits thoughts, words and images that are conducive to growth and success into our minds. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds. Riches, mediocrity and poverty begin in the mind.

What do you say to yourself when you are in front of the mirror each day? Try positive affirmations and tell yourself just how wonderful, smart or funny you are. Replace those negative thoughts with positive ones and be persistent! Change takes time.