What is it about the beginning of a new year that makes you take a hard look at your surroundings? After the holidays, chances are you are feeling a little overwhelmed and a lot unorganized, and it’s time to turn that around. This month is the perfect opportunity to make changes that will have lasting positive effects. From physical organization, such as decluttering your living space or donating unwanted items to charity, to organizing your finances and taking time for mental health, there are many ways you can use this month to get yourself organized in all aspects of life. Today we’re sharing some of the best organizing tips to get you prepared for the new year.
Financial Organizing Tips
Financial worries can affect so many aspects of your life, so it’s no wonder why we think this should be a priority. Many people struggle with budgeting or having too much debt. Here are some ways you can get your finances organized this month:
Take Inventory of Your Accounts
Take inventory of all bank accounts, credit cards, loans, investments, and other sources of income/expenses, then review them monthly in order to stay on top of everything financially related. Tracking them in an excel spreadsheet or through a budgeting app can be helpful.
Pay Bills on Time
Setting up automatic payments can be a game changer. See if it is possible to set up these types of recurring payments for high price items like your mortgage or car loan. Keeping on top of these payments are vital, not only because they are necessities, but missing a payment will more than likely have a negative impact on your credit. Set yourself up for success!
Organize Important Documents
This is one of those “to-do” items that so many typically ignore until the very last minute. NOT THIS YEAR! Organize any documents related to taxes, such as receipts, 1099 forms, or W-2s. Having all these documents together in one place makes filing taxes much easier come April!
Create A Budget
Creating a budget is an important part of organizing your finances. Take time to review your income and expenses, then set up a plan that works best for you. This will help you avoid overspending. Check out this handy blog, Budgeting 101.
Physical Organizing Tips
The start of a new year is the perfect time to take stock of your physical environment and make some changes. Begin by taking an inventory of everything you own, evaluating what needs to be thrown away and what can be donated or resold. Once you’ve sorted through your belongings, assign each item its own storage place so it’s easy to find when needed.
For example, you might have clothes in your closet that don’t fit or are out of style – donate them and make room for items you actually use. Maybe you have a guest bedroom full of junk – take the time to sort through it and decide what can be thrown away, given away, or resold.
Other than decluttering your home, there are other ways to organize your physical environment, including:
- Home maintenance, such as cleaning out gutters and replacing air filters in your HVAC system.
- Cleaning out your garage or shed, especially if you need to store seasonal items.
- Creating organization systems for closets and drawers in your home.
- Organizing the contents of your pantry or refrigerator to make it easier to access.
Mental Health Organizing Tips
Lastly, don’t forget about self-care this January! Taking care of yourself mentally is just as important as organizing your physical and financial environments – if not more so! While many people turn to resolutions like eating better and exercising more, there are other ways you can take care of your mental health:
- Schedule regular activities such as meditation or yoga classes into your weekly routine
- Practice mindfulness techniques during stressful times
- Learn relaxation methods such as deep breathing exercises
- Take care of yourself emotionally by reaching out for support whenever needed
- Create healthy eating habits, whether by meal prepping or cooking more meals at home
- Make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night (at least 7 hours!)
- Talk to a therapist or counselor if necessary
Following these tips and getting organized could help reduce stress levels throughout the year. This may lead to better overall mental health in the long run.
Taking the time this January to organize financially, physically, and mentally will pay off down the road. Get rid of clutter at home and take care of yourself emotionally to help help reduce stress levels throughout 2023. Start today by taking one small step towards organization. Soon enough, it’ll become habit-forming, which makes maintaining good organization practices much easier over time!
High-interest loans can be expensive and should be used only for short-term financial needs, not long-term solutions. Customers with credit difficulties should seek credit counseling. The opinions expressed above are solely the author’s views and may or may not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the website or its affiliates. Cash Factory USA does not provide financial advice
Image(s) or Footage (as applicable), used under license from Shutterstock.com.