Get Organized with these End of Year Tasks
It’s almost time for a new calendar year, and if you are like many, you are eager for a fresh start – a clean slate! You are ready to purge! You are ready to get organized! In the spirit of starting fresh in the new year, did you know that there are some end-of-year tasks you can do to help you start your new year off on the right foot? These tasks can be completed BEFORE the end of the year, and they will be a huge help to you as you seek to achieve your goals in the new year! Want to know what they are? Let’s get started!
Get Organized with these End-of-Year Tasks
Purge holiday décor! As you put your holiday items back in storage for next year, look at them closely. Are there items you never use that you would be willing to donate or sell? Are there worn out/broken items that need replaced? I’m not talking about sentimental items that you want to keep forever and always. I’m talking about lights that don’t work…unimportant knickknacks that have gotten broken…items that were gifted to you that you don’t even like. As I’m packing away my décor, I like to take the time to purge! In addition to purging, I clean anything that needs wiped down, and I like to organize my things so they are easy to access when the holidays roll around the next year.
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Back up your photos! As the holidays come to a close, take a few minutes to upload (and back up!) any and all photos from your phone as well as your camera! You don’t want to lose any of those special Christmas memories! Begin the new year with a phone that has some space on it and an empty SD card!
Declutter your Digital Life with THESE Six Tips!
Clean out your pantry! If you’re like us, following the holidays, you find yourself with lots of extra food (and plastic food containers)! Your fridge is brimming, and so is your pantry! Now is the time to clear out those spaces in order to prepare for a fresh start in January – when you will more than likely commit yourself to healthy eating! Make a donation to your local food pantry. Share with the neighbors. Use leftover items to create a few freezer meals that you can use in the coming months. Toss your expired goods. Use up your extra items. Get creative. Create some space.
Head to the return counter! Did you receive any gifts that you want to return? Don’t feel bad! Even if you don’t have a receipt, gather these things up and return them as soon as possible! We do this every year! Following the holidays, we are usually able to buy a substantial amount of January’s groceries using the merchandise credit that we receive from returning unwanted items to Walmart and Target.
Fill a garbage bag! As you look around, you will more than likely find lots of things that can be thrown away – unnecessary coupons that expire on 12/31 (Lots of coupons expire at the end of the year!), holiday mailers, magazines, Christmas cards you don’t care to keep (I’ve told you before that I’m brutal about clutter!), etc.
Fill a donation box! As you put away your new things – new clothes, toys, etc. that you have received, purge as you go! For every item that comes in, remove two! Donate these items to your local pregnancy center, the closest Salvation army, or a family in need. If possible, be sure to grab a tax receipt – Donating items is not only a generous thing to do, but it can be a financial win-win for everyone! Note: As you purge, you may come across things you want to pile up and throw in a Spring yard sale! I don’t typically like to hold on to things for very long, but depending on your items, you may want to consider this! You will probably hear me say this over and over again, but if you choose to have a yard sale, make sure you fairly price your items high enough to make it worth your time!
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Here’s to getting organized in the new year!
I love your new site! So classy, and the pics are SO good! I didn’t realize you were going off rotation – boo hoo hoo! But I’m glad to be in the Mastermind group with you – girl, you are FULL of helpful information! I’ve learned so much from you.
Enjoy your new space here, and your new year!