Resolutions for Everyone
January 4, 2010Post-Christmas
January 6, 2010It's a new year. It's a good opportunity to get yourself off to a great start:
- If you don't already have one, get a calendar. (Actually, now is a great time to buy a calendar — they're on sale!) Take an evening to write in birthdays and anniversaries and other things you already know about. I also recommend making a list of each months birthdays and anniversaries on the first of each month so that you remember to buy cards.
- Set aside a place in your house to put your mail each day. At least once a week, sort through the mail, pay the bills, file, and discard anything you don't want to keep.
- Set up files (paper and/or electronic) for 2010. Look over the past years' files to see what you can shred and discard.
- Schedule annual appointments — with the accountant, doctors, vets, car servicing, etc.
- Schedule a time to review your investments, insurance policies, and the like. Take the time to do some research to make sure you are getting the best deal.
- Create a file (or box) for your 2009 taxes. You'll want to begin gathering the documentation you'll need to file: your W-2, real estate taxes, medical expenses, charitable contributions, interest reports, etc. Having everything in one place will make it far easier to either fill out the forms yourself or get things to the accountant.