Month by Month: January Checklist – Things to Do This Month

• Take down holiday decorations. Cleaning up after the holidays is one of the most tedious tasks of the month, but keep in mind that you’ll have so much free space after all of the decorations are removed and stowed for the year.
• Keep the house cleanand tidy by spending a few extra minutes decluttering each day.
• Plan for cold weather. Make sure you have coats, gloves and scarves ready, along with boots and shovels for clearing snow and ice.
• Check level of window washer fluid in vehicles. If you live in an area with the typical messy winter weather, you’ll want to make sure your fluids will not run out when you need it most. Use the variety that will not freeze.
• Dig out your soup recipes. January is a great time to try out a new soup or two. Look for a tomato bisque or hearty pasta and bean to keep you and your family warm.
• Start planning the garden. One of the best winter activities that make the days and nights seem warmer is to plan the flower and vegetable garden. Once the weather warms up and the ground thaws, you’ll have a head start.
• Check kids’ school supplies. With the last half of the school year beginning, find out which supplies are running low and need replenishing.
• Update calendars. Did you get the new calendar for this year? Toss the old ones or file them away, and get all the new calendars in place.
• Resolutions and goals for the new year. Was one of your resolutions to get in shape or find a new job? Make a list of all the steps you’ll need to complete your goals and get started. Give yourself deadlines for each step and write those dates in on your calendar.
• Clean the pantry. When was the last time you pulled out the items on the pantry shelves, checked dates and cleaned out old items? More than a year? Five years? Take a shelf a day and get rid of those items you most likely won’t use. If they are not expired, consider donating them to a food bank for needy families in your community.
• Medical insurance updates. If your medical insurance changes each January, make sure you have new ID cards and understand any changes in the plan. Reading the fine print can often save you hundreds of dollars.
• Plan your summer vacation. Feeling cooped up during a cold winter? Start thinking about your next vacation. You can do a lot of planning online and it pays to make plans early.

Other articles you may enjoy:

The Secret to Having a Clean Home Without Really Trying

Tips to Transform a Messy House Into a Clean Home the Easy Way

Ten Quick Ways to Declutter and Get Control of Your Home and Your Life