It may seem too early, but these winter days are a great time to plan for major things you want to do this year.

If you plan to do any home-remodeling or landscaping, now is the perfect time to create a budget, price materials, and get estimates.  If you commit now, you may even be able to get a better price.  And you'll be at the top of the list when the weather turns.

Spend dreary winter evenings researching your vacation.  Some of the most popular package tours sell out early.  (For example, I booked my Antarctica trip 11 months early and I still couldn't get my first choice of sailing date.)  Watch deposit conditions and, if the outlay is significant, buy trip insurance.  But thinking about it now lets you budget and save and gives you time to research more options.

If you have kids, what will they do this summer?  Beginning your research and planning now means that more options are open to you.

Do you want to go back to school or look for a new job?  Begin working on your resume and checking out job listings.  Pull together your application package and look at the schools you are interested in.  Gather financial data for your financial aid forms.

Do you want to move?  January is a great time to buy a house.  The sellers tend to be way more desperate than the buyers at this time of year.  And if you like a house when it's ugly outside, how much more will you love it when the sun is bright?  If you make an offer now, you'll be ready to settle and move before spring — perfect timing if you like to garden.

What big cahnges are you making this year?