Why wait for year-end? 5 things to do to prep for the coming year

While there are still several months more left in the calendar year, you’d be surprised at how fast time flies. In no time, it’ll be the end of the year and you’ve got nothing to show for. So, why not start prepping early this time? Here’s a list of what you can do now, early in the game.

1. Secure your finances.

You wouldn’t want to welcome the coming year—or this year for that matter—empty handed. That does not augur well for you. So start doing things differently this year. If you have not started yet, start now. Save 20 percent of the monthly salary you get and open a savings account. Look into investing in stocks or mutual funds. Get a life insurance or, better yet, get a plan that combines life insurance with investment like VULs.

2. De-stash.

Start cleaning out your closet and get rid of unnecessary items at home. Whether it’s that extra chair in the living room or that lotion on your dresser that you’ve not used for years. Since it’s the season of giving, donate your old stuff to charities or sell it to raise cash to support a cause.

3. Fulfill your promises.

This is the perfect time to list down all your commitments—responsibilities, debts, promises—and tick off each one before the year ends. Doing so will give you a sense of accomplishment and it’ll let you start the new year on a clean slate.

4. Lessen your data space.

Check your data space, both in your mobile phone and computer, and delete files that you’ll no longer use. Organize your inbox and delete emails that you don’t need to keep. If you will still use them, store the files in a drive or in the cloud so you will still have access to them in the future.

5. List down your goals for next year.

What do you want to accomplish next year? List your goals and read them aloud every morning as a reminder. This will help you focus on what you need to do to achieve them. Good luck!