There is so much discussion today about selling your home with or without an agent and for good reason. The commission runs in thousands and with stock market and job market, saving that money is necessary. But are you making a decision that will help or hurt your finances?

Selling your home with an agent is necessary in certain situations. If you are not able to be objective about sell of your home trying to selling your home yourself may actually cost you time and money.

If you are relocating and home will be vacant even if family lives close by, that is risky business. With an agent they are responsible for property and a good agent will go through home on a regular bases to make sure everything is ok. The agent will be present during inspections for buyer and can give you informed feedback about status. In cases that you can't get back to state for settlement (closing) you can sign a limited power of attorney and agent will sit in your place at closing and send you check.

First let me tell you that I do not use a financial software package for my business at this time. I tired some and found that it was more time consuming for me then to simply put my receipts in organized folders and total them at end of month or year. I also keep a very detailed check register and I don't find need to re-enter this information into my computer.

Here's what I do and might work for you.

I have two hanging folders that I keep in my file drawer in my desk. In each of folders I have manila folders for each line (category) item from my tax form that I use in my business; such as Office Supplies, Utilities, etc. As I get receipts for those line items, I simply drop receipt into corresponding manila folder. At end of month or year I simply add up receipts for those categories to get my totals to enter onto my tax form. This year it took me a total of three hours to total my receipts and off to taxman I went!