Monthly Organizing Checklist January 2018 A new year…a fresh new start. Get organized beginning today with our NEW January 2018  Organizing Checklist! Join our weekly newsletter to be notified when the newest checklist is available. For a PRINTABLE VERSION, click here ____ Jan 1 Make a list of everything you want to accomplish in January. Highlight the most important one or two and work on them first. ____ Jan 2 Get ready for school to start up again by cooking extra meals to freeze and getting your kids to bed early on the last few nights of Christmas vacation. ____ Jan 3 Write out thank you cards for all the gifts your family received. Take all to the post office and mail them in one trip. ____ Jan 4 Gather all your Christmas cards and either scan them onto your computer (if you wish to keep photo card photos) and toss them or put them into a shoebox or other small lidded box and label it with the year. ____ Jan 5 Clear any hanging icicles from your property to prevent them from falling. Shovel snow/ice from your doorways and sprinkle a layer of  salt or cat litter along walkways.  ____ Jan 6 Gather all W2s, 1099s, and other needed paperwork for tax time. Designate one folder or large manila envelope for all paperwork and label it “2017 Taxes.” ____ Jan 7 Take down your holiday decorations and pack them up for storage. Leave your real tree out at the curb for pick up. ____ Jan 8 Take care of all holiday returns. Have all receipts in one place ready to grab. ____ Jan 9 Declutter your storage room or a closet. Get rid of all garbage and items you don’t use. Take all unwanted items immediately to a donation center. ____ Jan 10 Schedule doctor and dental appointments for your family for the whole year. Add them onto your calendar or into your planner. ____ Jan 11 Clean out your fridge. Wipe the shelves and fridge walls down with a wet rag and a few squirts of white vinegar. Place your remaining holiday leftovers in front to be eaten first. ____ Jan 12 Enjoy the outdoor winter weather by layering up your outfit and heading out to go sledding, throw snowballs, ice skating, etc. Don’t forget gloves, scarves and hats. ____ Jan 13 Clean out your car. Gather garbage in one bag and items that go in the house in another bag. Take the bag of house items inside and garbage to the can. Place a new air freshener on your rear view mirror.. ____ Jan 14 Restock your medicine cabinet with cold and allergy medications. Safely discard all expired medicines. ____ Jan 15 Do a re-check on your New Year’s Resolutions. If you slipped, you can begin again today. ____ Jan 16 Plan out your spring garden by drawing on a sheet of paper where you want everything to go. ____ Jan 17 Get caught up on your laundry. Wash, dry, and fold or hang every item. Or bag up your laundry and take it to the laundromat. Take all items to the appropriate room and put them away. Replace any needed laundry supplies. ____ Jan 18 Empty out your makeup bag. Throw out old/used-up items and restock what’s needed. ____ Jan 19 Toss out ten things from your most cluttered closet. ____ Jan 20 Gather all paper and sort. Throw away all garbage, junk mail, etc. Recycle all old newspapers and magazines. Scan important reference items onto your computer and toss out the originals. Put all incoming paperwork in one folder to be acted on. ____ Jan 21 Find three new recipes that your family will, hopefully, love and add them to your “To Try Recipes” this month. ____ Jan 22 Schedule your car’s oil change and tire rotation. It’s likely needed after holiday travelling. ____ Jan 23 Check your emergency supply kit and restock needed items such as candles, matches, batteries, etc. If you don’t have an emergency kit, make one now. ____ Jan 24 Have winter supplies stocked and ready for car maintenance, such as de-icer, an ice scraper, and a small towel for wiping windows. Always keep a gallon jug of water in your car and make sure your gas tank is at least half full. ____ Jan 25 Start an indoor exercise plan. Some ideas are walking/running on a treadmill, riding a stationery bike, yoga, and cardio/dancing to a workout video. Try to get at least 30 minutes of intense exercise every day. ____ Jan 26 Clear out your emails. Start by deleting old/unwanted emails, then act on the rest so they can be deleted too. ____ Jan 27 Go shopping to restock the household items that you exhausted during the holidays, such as paper products, laundry supplies, dish soap, cleaning supplies, etc. ____ Jan 28 Update your social media accounts. Add your holiday pictures and delete people that aren’t friends. ____ Jan 29 Take up a new hobby. ____ Jan 30 Do three things just for yourself. When you remember to take care of yourself, you can take better care of your family. ____ Jan 31 Get ready for Valentine’s Day. Plan a romantic night out with your significant other. Help your children pick out or make valentines for their friends and classmates. RSVP to any parties you’ve been invited to.