10 Great New Year Things-to-Do

All right, the new year is here and it's time to get busy!

Oh, I don't necessarily mean just with your resolutions (although, if you made 'em, they can definitely be added to this list), but just in general.

The new year is a great time to tackle new projects, finish up old ones, and take care of the "general maintenance" type issues in life. Here are 10 things I recommend everyone consider tackling in the first few weeks of the new year to help get things off to a good start...

1. Get physical.

With your doctor, that is! Schedule yourself for a full physical if you haven't had one recently. --And while you're at it, schedule a check-up and cleaning with your dentist!

2. Get smart.

Contact your local college and/or free university and enroll in those classes you've been wanting to take for so long.

3. Make money, save money.

Now's the perfect time to create that family budget you've been talking about for so long. And don't forget to make SAVING some of your money part of that budget. Review your investment plan, contact a financial advisor if necessary and make sure you're doing what's best for you to grow financially.

4. Get shopping.

I know, this seems quite contradictory with #3, but it's not. But January/February is a great time of year for bargains for just about everything. This year especially! Take advantage of the savings to get the things you need.

5. Plan your vacation.

Call your travel agent, start visiting the websites, check out your work/business calendar and make plans for that vacation you keep saying you're gonna take. Put it on your schedule now and make it part of your plan for the year so you actually go this year!

6. Attack the clutter.

Face facts: the end of the year always results in clutter. We get busy with the holidays, visiting people, buying gifts, etc., stuff piles up. Grab a large kitchen trash bag and go through your house until it's filled.

Then toss it.

Repeat as necessary. Do NOT wait until spring!

7. Keep it safe.

Since you're gonna be going through your house anyway.... It's the perfect time to consider safety issues.

Toss out old/expired prescription and over-the-counter medications. Check (better yet: CHANGE) the batteries in your smoke detectors. Make sure you have fire extinquishers on every floor of your house, that they're charged and your family members know where to find them and how to use them.

Review your family emergency and disaster plans. --If you don't have any, make them!

8. Back up your hard drive.

Be honest, most of us never do this. Or, if we do, it's the occasional, every couple of years kind of activity that we do when somebody we know has a terrible computing accident. Spare yourself a lot of grief, back it up now!

9. Call or write... EVERYONE.

Sit down with your address book and contact everybody listed in it. Call them. Write them a letter. Send them a postcard. Or even a quick email just to say, "Hi!"

They'll love the attention and you'll enjoy connecting with people who are important to you.

10. Laugh.

One of the best things you can do for your health and peace of mind is to smile and laugh. Find humor in the craziness of life and enjoy each and every moment.

So laugh, laugh, laugh... and have a wonderful year!