For obvious reasons, people tend to tie their fresh starts to the new year.  On January 1, people start exercise programs or diets, start getting organized, and decide to save more money.

But there's no reason to be bound by the conventional calendar approach.  In fact, now is a great time for a fresh start.

If you want to start an exercise program, now is a great time.  Gyms are less crowded.  They offer special deals and it's easier to book time with a personal trainer. When it's hot and humid outside, I'm more likely to drag myself into a nice air-conditioned gym.  Workout clothes like shorts, t-shirts, tanks, and swimsuits are also likely to be on sale.

When is a better time to start a diet:  in the middle of the winter when it's cold and you want lots of comfort foods or the height of the summer, when fresh fruits and vegetables fill the farmer's markets at good prices.  Plus, on a summer evening, a nice salad topped with leftover grilled chicken sounds way more appealing than heating the house up by cooking.

As for organizing your time well, now's a perfect time to start.  For many of us, the year really runs on the school schedule.  That means things heat up again in the next few weeks.  That gives a new chance to make choices between outside activities.  How many committees do you want to volunteer for?  How many activities will your kids sign up for?  How much will you take on?  Start making those choices.  And don't forget to block out some time that remains purposely unscheduled. 

If you want to organize your things, now's a great time.  Lots of storage solutions go on sale at this time of year because of college students.  Also, if you want to get rid of things, thrift shops seem to be more empty around this time of year, so they need more donations.

As for saving money:  it's always a good time to save!