With the new year here, it’s time to get organized! Here are some of the things I like to do at the start of a new year.

1. Update your home binder

Update your home inventory (with new things you got for Christmas, purchased throughout the year or got rid of)

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2. Update your insurance

• Did you get a promotion last year? You might want to increase your income protection insurance
• Revaluate your health insurance
• Did you purchase more possessions? You should update your home and contents insurance

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3. Clean out your inbox

• I recommend unrollme (free) – I unsubscribed from 54 newsletters in 5 minutes!
• Delete emails
• Set up folders in your inbox

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4. Clean up your computer files

• Remove bookmarks you no longer use from your browser history
• Clean out the downloads folder of your computer. See here if you’re not sure where to find this
• Empty the recycle bin
• Run a disk defragment your computer
• Run an antivirus scan
• Delete files off your computer that you no longer need

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5. Clean up your blog (if you have one)

• Reduce the number of blog categories you have for each sub-topic that you blog about to about 3-5 categories only
• Remove unused plugins
• Update plugins you want to keep
• Delete old blog drafts you are not going to finish
• Backup your blog
• Update the about page on all social media platforms you use, your blog and website
• Renew any expired domain names, annual subscriptions etc.
• Get up to date on your blog bookkeeping
• Audit your blog content – do any blog posts need updating, does your blog need a new theme layout, redesign branding?
• Check your site stats and compare performance to last year – what worked and what didn’t work? What topics were popular? How did most of your readers find your site? Use this info to create a content plan for the new year

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6. Check your finances

• Do your bookkeeping and set up an accounting system for the new year. There are plenty of accounting tools out there including Wave (which is free)
• Check your goals – how much did you make this year? How much did you spend? Was it in line with your goals?
• Reduce the amount of paper – scan all your receipts, store on your computer and backup on the cloud or using an external hard-drive
• Set a budget for the new year
• Create a savings plan and debt payoff plan

You might like my budget binder printables

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7. Clean out your recipe binder

• Which recipes haven’t you made yet? Place these in one section
• Which recipes were bad? Throw these out
• Organise your recipes in a way that works for you – e.g. dinner and lunches, by type of meat such as chicken and beef, sections for family favorites, winter meals etc.

If you don’t have a recipe binder yet, you can download my free rainbow recipe binder printables.

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8. Check your health

Update (or implement!) an exercise routine and download some free meal plans online.

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9. Clean your house

• Throw out expired foods in your fridge and pantry
• Throw away stuff you don’t need (e.g. clothes you never wear anymore)
• Give away unwanted Christmas presents

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10. Clean up your physical workspace

• Go paperless as much as possible
• Clean up your desk
• Place as many items on shelving (off your desk) as possible
• Add an inspirational quote or frame some wall art to keep you motivated

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11. Order a photobook

Don’t get behind on photos – get a photobook printed and backup all of your files (not just your photos) in multiple places (such as on the cloud and/or an external harddrive). I recommend Blurb.

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12. Clean out your handbag

You might want to add some mini pencil cases to keep everything organised when you put it back in your handbag. For example, I have one for pens, one for makeup, one for knick knacks such as a compact mirror, nail file, bandaids etc.

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13. Delete apps on your phone you don’t use and wipe your phone screen clean

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14. Set goals for the new year AND a plan to stick to them

• Set a main goal for the new year
• Set sub-goals for the new year
• And develop a plan to accomplish them – the best place to start is to take a look at your schedule

Keep focused with this free printable yearly wall planner. It is 16 x 20 in size (most office supply stores such as Staples can print it at this size for you). If you want to print it at home it can be printed smaller at any size you like (including letter size and half letter size etc.). This printable is part of the free printables library.

If you’re not sure how to get your printer to print it smaller (e.g. 8.5 x 11″ or letter size), see this post on printing tips.

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 Reflect on the year that’s just passed and celebrate your accomplishments!