The 5 Minute Bulletin Board
Issue # 6
June 2009 
Tips, tricks, & tools for a more efficient home office in 5 minutes or less
 
 In this Issue
 - Dates to Remember: June & July
 - Password-Protect Your Special Sauce Recipe
 - Of Note: The Accordion File 
- From My Reference Shelf
 
Portrait for website
Dear Tiiu,
 
Hi again! I almost can't believe summer is just around the corner! Thanks once again for joining me with this, the June issue of The 5 Minute Bulletin Board ezine.
 
NEWS FLASH: Beginning this issue, computer help tips will be for version 2007. Other older versions may be similar, but if you need help, remember to check out the huge help section at www.microsoft.com - they're terrific in that area.
 
Launching in the next few weeks, The 5 Minute Bulletin Board has its OWN website. We're looking at its going live in June... I'll keep you posted.
 
I hope you've enjoyed our Tips of the Week. Designed with the solopreneur who might NOT be a computer whiz in mind, they're short, sweet, and to the point. Remember your tips will arrive in your In-box from "T5MBB Tipster"... 
 
As I mentioned, I'll send you a quick email when the The 5 Minute Bulletin Board website actually goes "live" so you can check out all the different articles and resources you'll find there.
 
With you, the home office professional, in mind, the website includes different areas of interest, such as:
  • Solutions -  for many common problems you might face (i.e. time management tips from the pros)
  • Inspiration - This area will feature Before and After stories to show off our readers' transformations of spare room to office
  • Resources - Setting yourself up for success, whether it's furniture or computers or paper you need, we've got suggestions for getting it all
  • The Blog - Community forum with other like-minded solopreneurs
But right now, let's get back to THIS issue...
 
This month's help tip is password-protecting those sensitive Word documents.
 
The product I like this month is the newer, more durable, accordion file.
 
And we'll look at some fun stuff from my reference books.
 
If you opened up this ezine but the header or pictures didn't appear, see the tiny link at the top that says: Having trouble viewing this email? Click here? Just go ahead and do it - and it will appear as it should.  
Upcoming Dates to Remember: June & July
JUNE 2009
June 14     Flag Day
June 21     Fathers' Day 
 
JULY 2009
July 4        Independence Day
Keep That Special Sauce Recipe a Secret! 
 
 
 
Password-Protect that Secret Document
 
Do you have a long list of your many usernames and passwords in a Word document? Or maybe you just have the secret recipe to Burger King's special sauce. Now you can protect that information from prying eyes.
 
Although my instructions that follow are written for MS Word 2007, they also apply to both Excel and PowerPoint.
 
Click on the Microsoft Office button, and then click Save As. 
  • Click Tools (at the bottom left) and then choose General Options.
  • Depending on your personal preference for that document, type in a password either at Password To Open or Password To Modify.
  • Click OK.
  • When prompted to do so, retype your password to confirm and click OK.
  • Click SAVE.

Just in case you change your mind down the road, simply open the General Options dialogue box again (see steps 1 and 2, above), delete the password that you put in previously, click OK, and then SAVE.

It's easy, and once you do it a couple of times, it can become second nature. When I wanted to remember how to do this without looking at instructions all the time, I chose a document I use several times a week and is NOT personal or sensitive information, but gave it a password of password (how easy is THAT?) and within a week, I was a pro. You can be, too.
 
Just remember, once your document's been password protected, you must have that password to open it so make sure it's one you'll remember, or write it down somewhere and keep it hidden.
 
You may or may not have use for this too often, but it's certainly handy to know how to do, when you need it.
Products I Like

 

The Accordion File, Colorful and Durable,
and Oh So Noteworthy!
 
If you've been a regular reader of The 5 Minute Bulletin Board, you know by now I don't like to spend money where I don't have to. There are just too many places you need to spend the bigger bucks to get quality, but this is one place you can save big.
 
For about $3 at a dollar store, these plastic, brightly-colored, and seven-pocketed accordion files are a bargain. They come in the small wallet size for about a dollar, and those are fine for checks and receipts. But the larger-sized ones that measure about 13 x 9 inches and expand to about 2 or 3 inches are the ones I'm referring to this month.
 
In messenger-bag style, these accordions have a front flap that come down low. When you lift it up, they often have a slot for a business card and another that fits a CD or DVD.
 
With your business, you might travel some. Many of us do. I have a very simple system to keeping your travel maps and directions in order. Simply keep those papers with directions on them (MapQuest, Rand McNally, or your own hand-written ones) in the front section, or even tape them inside an old-fashioned composition book and keep the book in the front of the file.
 
Behind them store your folded up maps standing up, not sideways, so you can quickly see what area they're for. This way they won't get messy and out of control. If you choose, you can put the ones that are closer to home to the front of the file, and maps for those trips across many states, toward the back. Whatever works for you.
 
I like to store the whole thing in the pocket behind the passenger seat of my vehicle (it fits beautifully), but you might want to keep them in your office. As always, adapt these tips to suit YOUR business or personal lifestyle.
 
There are so many great uses for these accordion files, and among them, some of my favorites:
  • If you have your taxes prepared professionally, they usually come in larger envelopes that fit perfectly within. Simply label the outer envelope with the year for easy access.
  • Store all the instruction manuals and warranty information for your printer, telephone system, and anything else here. I like to use white 9 x 11.5 envelopes to store ALL the paperwork in so that they're uniform and I don't lose the smaller paperwork.
  • Certificates of course completion fit nicely into these accordion files. If you attend training sessions, seminars, or workshops of any kind, chances are you get a certificate. Keep them pristine and in one place.
  • Insurance information. Sometimes insurance plans come with books of information instead of booklets. These can take up a lot of file drawer real estate, so use an accordion file for this purpose. For the most part, they also seem to be a perfect fit size-wise.
  • If you subcontract work, keep one for the work samples and resumes of your subcontractors so that you can pick the right person for the job.
These durable accordions expand nicely and usually close with a stretchy band around a button. 
 
Personally, I love the vibrant colors, too, but that's just me.   :)

I'm certain you'll come up with plenty of other uses for this great home office organizational tool - the noteworthy accordion file. 
From My Reference Books

 

Test Your Knowledge 
 
1) If you run from the police, do you elude or allude them?
 
2) Do you allude, or refer, to an article you read in the Sunday newspaper?
  
3) To indicate indifference to something, do you say "I could care less" or "I couldn't care less"? 
 
Answers: 1) You elude the police. 2) You refer to it. Simply put, to allude to something, you indirectly refer to it. When you refer to something, it's to something specific. 3) More and more, we hear the first - incorrect - phrase used which actually destroys the intended meaning. The correct way to use the phrase is "I couldn't care less".
 
(This month's  references were taken from The Elements of Style, 4th Ed.) 
Thanks For Visiting - See You Next Month!

 

As always, thanks for sharing a few minutes with me this month. Be sure to be on the lookout for an email from "T5MBB Tipster" which will come on Thursdays and, while just a sentence or two, will give you a great Tip of the Week.

As a thank you for subscribing to The 5 Minute Bulletin Board, click to download the FREE Special Report below, entitled
 
 
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With every wish for your small business success, Tiiu Garrett
 
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