Now that tulips are beginning to bloom and signs of life are creeping back up wherever you look, it’s time for a little spring cleaning for those finances! Here are our top tips for waking those winter finances out of hibernation and getting things ready for a plentiful summer:
1. Unsubscribe
If you’re anything like us, a cluttered inbox (and those pesky notifications of “unread messages”) can very easily drive you crazy. Take ten minutes today and open your inbox and all of your phone apps. Clear all notification bubbles and delete any irrelevant messages. Then, to top it all off, take notice of all of your recurring emails and unsubscribe from those that don’t offer much value (…except the AdvisHer emails, of course! ;)) Take notice of who is sending you emails and how often you read them. If you’ve moved or have changed locations, delete all of those emails from previous establishments that you know you’ll no longer visit. Also on the “delete” list? Those promotional emails that spam you with “deals” every few hours. If this is a source of frustration for you (as it is for so many of us), head on over to Unroll.me or Getunsubscriber.com and let these tools work their magic! Your inbox will soon be much less cluttered, and we’re willing to bet, your mind will be, too!
2. Get Organized
If you don’t already have a filing cabinet (or similar storage method), then pick one up this week! You can find a small, fully functional filing cabinet for under $50 at Target that won’t break your budget or steal too much room in your home. Once you have the cabinet, take the time to create a file for everything: Receipts, User Manuals for your appliances, Home/Mortgage documents, Taxes, Personal Information, Insurance/Will, Bills, School projects/report cards for your kids, etc. Organizing all of your important documents in one easy to find location will help you feel more settled, improve your sense of personal security, and may very likely make it much easier to have everything you need in order to file your taxes in the future.
3. Clean Those Junk Drawers
Do you have one of those “catch all” drawers that seems to exist only to collect coupons, unopened letters, extra coins, old Holiday cards, and a variety of pens? Yeah, we’re talking about that drawer. Take a half hour this week, roll up those sleeves, and empty it. Have your “get to work” playlist going in the background, and before you know it, you’ll have a cleaner drawer and a better method for accessing all of those important trinkets. Not only does this exercise help you keep a cleaner house, it also may lead to the discovery of extra coins and coupons that you didn’t realize you had. That coupon for 25% off your next hair appointment? YES, PLEASE. Sort through those elusive coupons and make it a point to sift through them regularly. If you can save yourself some money, why wouldn’t you?
4. Sift Through Your Closet
If Marie Kondo hasn’t already encouraged you to empty your closet shelves and remove what no longer gives you joy…then get moving! That ruffled top from three years ago that have never worn but refuse to give away because you got it on sale and just might wear it this year? Nah. You’re better off selling it on Poshmark or putting it in the donation pile. Go through your entire closet and be realistic with yourself. If you haven’t worn it in a year, sell it or donate it. Create an account on Poshmark, and earn some money for those second-hand gems. Your closet, laundry machine, and wallet will thank you.
5. Revisit that Budget
The springtime always brings with it exciting new opportunities to get involved, attend events, and get some fresh air. Plan ahead and spend a few moments with your budget to outline a path to attending and affording these fun events. What expenses can you put on hold this month? Now that the weather is improving, can you eliminate or reduce your dependence on streaming services or cable? What other types of expenses snuck their way into the budget during the hibernation months of winter? Take a few moments this week to make a game plan so that you can ditch your guilt this Spring and spend your money the way you want. You’ve got this!
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