Financial To-Dos for January
The holidays are behind us and the chilly January wind may be nipping at our nose, but we’ve got a secret weapon hidden underneath that fuzzy scarf: resolve.
2012 is here, and we’re planning to kick its butt.
After all the New Year’s resolutions we made a couple weeks ago, we’re ready for business. There’s no time better than now to take control of your finances, and we’ll help you get there.
So, take a seat, swill that hot cocoa and knock these to-dos off your list:
Make Your Financial Resolutions. Deadline: Monday, January 2
Studies have shown it takes 21 days to form a solid habit. If you create and stick to your resolutions now, by February you will be on the road to serious financial improvement. Your resolutions could include anything from paying down your credit card debt to starting an emergency fund or bringing your lunch to work three times a week. One of the keys to keeping your resolutions is understanding your own money baggage, so take a half hour today to dive into the hidden money beliefs driving your behavior with our quiz.
Reassess Your Budget. Deadline: Tuesday, January 10
A new year calls for a new, revamped budget. Look at your spending patterns from 2011 by linking your accounts and logging in to the LearnVest My Money Center to see the different categories of your spending, like nights out on the town and groceries. How does your spending in those areas compare to what you thought you were spending? Use the budget calculator in the My Money Center to craft a new budget for 2012—this is extra important if you’ve had any recent life changes, like getting married, going back to school or planning for a baby.
Check Your Credit Score. Deadline: Tuesday, January 17
Ring in the new year error-free. Check your credit score to make sure that there haven’t been any errors on the part of credit reporting agencies. This is so important that we recommend you do it once each season. Your credit score is a magic number that helps lenders decide whether you’re worthy of their credit when applying for a credit card or a mortgage. In addition to making sure that there haven’t been any unexpected issues, it’s good to check your score a few times a year to make sure you’re on track—besides, it’s fun to watch that number go up and up. For instructions on how to check your own number, read this.
Start a “Time Journal.” Deadline: Friday, January 20
Modern life isn’t just about budgeting money–it’s also about budgeting time, which means spending your resources in the way that gives you the most fulfillment. For the next month, keep track of the best and worst time you spend every day. At the end of the month, review those moments to find patterns. Are you consistently unhappy when you spend more than an hour doing the same task? What haven’t you been able to make time for? Here’s a chance to overhaul the way you spend not just money, but something equally as important: Each of the hours in your week.
Compare Your Interest Rates. Deadline: Monday, January 23
Interest rates fluctuate, so make sure you’re getting the best value by comparing your savings account to others out there. Although interest rates are very low right now (even many of the best savings accounts offer less than 1% nowadays), make sure your rate is reasonable. Some big banks’ savings accounts are offering as little as 0.05% unless you have a huge balance. It might not be worth switching banks unless the difference is big, but it’s important for your money to work for you. Here’s how to know if it’s time to switch banks or brokerages.
Organize Your Taxes Now. Deadline: Tuesday, January 31
Keep an eye on your mailbox throughout this month so you don’t miss any tax forms as they roll in. In particular, look out for your W-2 and 1099 forms. As you get them in the mail, save them in a safe and secure place, whether that means keeping them in a manila folder in your desk or scanning the papers so you have a digital copy. If you haven’t received these forms by January 31st, call your employer(s) to inquire.
Print out all of your to-dos and the full list of what to buy in January!
What To Buy When
 Winter Boots, Clothing and Coats:Get in on winter sales now for the best selection |  Suits:Around the new year, stores discount their fall suits |  Perfume:A popular holiday gift, perfume is often on sale after the season |  Home Furnishings:Retailers are making room for new inventory |
 Calendars:Just after the new year, prices are drastically reduced |  Carpets and Flooring:Many people spruce up their homes during the holidays, so prices plummet afterwards |  Big Appliances:Stock not sold during the holiday rush is now heavily discounted |  Linens and Bedding:Ever-popular "white sales" make January the best month for these items |
 Holiday Supplies:If you're willing and able to store cards and wrapping paper for a year, you can find them now for up to 80% off |  Office Furniture:Retailers cater to home businesses starting around the new year |  Video Games:New games are released for the holidays, but you can get them marked down afterwards |
 Winter Boots, Clothing and Coats:The selection is sparser, but the sales are steeper |  Perfume:Score a deal after Valentine’s Day |  Homes:Bad weather keeps buyers at bay, so competition is weak, and sellers are eager |
 Home Renovations:You’ll pay less and get more attention from contractors, because few people renovate so early in the year |  Bicycles:Retailers mark down older models to make room for new inventory in February and March |  Cameras:New models come out in January and February, so buy last year’s version at a discount |
 Home Entertainment Systems:The best TV and home theater sales come just before the Super Bowl |  Video Games:New games are released for the holidays, so you can get them marked down after the rush |  Chocolates and Candy:Buy after Valentine’s Day, of course |
 Sweaters and Cashmere:Prices can be reduced by as much as 25% to 40% from the end of March through April |  China and Flatware:Get in on inventory left over from the holidays |  Air Conditioners:Don’t wait for the weather to get hot; demand is low now, as are prices |
 Gas Grills:As with air conditioners, demand and prices are low |  Gardening Tools:Rakes, hoes, shovels and other gardening implements are as much as 50% off |  Frozen Food:It’s National Frozen Food Month, so supermarkets celebrate with sales |
 Sweaters and Cashmere:Stock up now on next winter's sweaters with steep sales |  Sneakers:In spring, stores entice warm-weather runners with sales |  Vacuum Cleaners:Retailers slash prices now to make room for new models in June |
 Snow Blowers:Come April, demand is low, so scoop up one for next year |  Office Furniture:Retailers cater to home businesses starting after tax season |  Cruises:This is the season for repositioning cruises, which have fewer ports of call but are cheaper and of great value |
 Electronics:After the Japanese fiscal year closes at the end of March, retailers make room for new models of Japanese electronics |
 Sweaters and Cashmere:Prices can be reduced by as much as 25% to 40% |  Vacuum Cleaners:Retailers slash prices now to make room for new models in June |  Cookware:Graduation and wedding promotions mean you should buy pots and pans now |  Refrigerators:New fridges come out during the summer, so stores are clearing space; negotiate a deal |
 Big Appliances:Stock not sold during the holiday rush is now heavily discounted |  Patio Furniture:Warm weather means newer models, so buy last season’s styles now |  Grilling Supplies:Get charcoal and lighter fluid before summer kicks into high gear and prices go up |  Small Kitchen Appliances:Get your mixers and blenders now, when there are sales for wedding and graduation season |
 Party Supplies:Whether or not you’re throwing a graduation party, stock up on disposable plates, cups, etc. |  Electronics:After the Japanese fiscal year closes at the end of March, retailers make room for new models of Japanese electronics |  Mattresses and Box Springs:Stores want to make room for new models, so negotiate a good deal now |
 Men’s Suits:Father’s Day sales mean low prices |  Tools:Father’s Day strikes again |  Cookware:It’s not only wedding bells that are ringing—registers are ringing with sales of pots and pans |
 Paint:When it’s hot out, no one feels like painting … which is why it’s cheap at this time of year |  Butter:Butter production is at its best in June and July, so prices are accordingly low; freeze for up to six months to make it last |  Champagne and Sparkling Wine:There are usually deals for bubbly during the holidays and before June weddings |
 Gym Memberships:The outdoors beckon, so gyms are offering deals |
 Suits:Get a spring suit—in the middle of summer |  Furniture:Retailers are clearing space to make room for new inventory |  Big Appliances:Take advantage of Independence Day sales |
 Paint:When it’s hot out, no one feels like painting … which is why it’s cheap at this time of year |  Butter:Butter production is at its best in June and July, so prices are accordingly low; freeze for up to six months to make it last | |
 Flip-flops:Ever-useful flip-flops are harder to find later in the year; buy them now when retailers still have them in stock and they’re on sale |  School Supplies:Back-to-school sales! |  Trees, Shrubs, Plants:Nab end-of-summer deals late in the month, and store your plants according to instructions until next spring. Alternatively, buy bulbs, which you can plant whenever |
 Lawn Mowers and Swing Sets:Stores discount these summer items now to make room for fall products |  Computers:Capitalize on back-to-school sales |  MP3 Players:Stores want to get rid of old models before October when new styles come out and the holiday rush begins |
 China and Flatware:Get in on the inventory left over from wedding season |  Wine:The harvest is coming in, so you can find eclectic wines from smaller wineries early in the season |  Computers:Upgrade yours during back-to-school sales |
 Jeans:The remainders from back-to-school season are now available inexpensively for kids and adults |  MP3 Players:Stores want to get rid of old models before October, when new styles come out and the holiday rush begins |  Cars:Next year’s models have arrived, so dealers want to sell the current year’s leftovers, giving you negotiating leverage |
 Holiday Airfare:It’s about eight weeks before Thanksgiving, so make travel plans before flights book up and prices skyrocket |
 Jeans:The back-to-school sales continue, with sparser selection but steeper discounts |  Swimsuits:Cash in on swimwear sales now through November |  Big Appliances:Buy last year’s models now; shop during Columbus Day weekend, because stores celebrate even small holidays with sales |
 Air Conditioners:Temperatures are cooling, and so are prices |  Gas Grills:Pick these up now for next summer |  School Supplies:Back-to-school sales! |
 Toys:Retailers lower prices as early as October in order to maximize holiday sales |  Cars:Next year’s models have arrived, so dealers want to sell the current year’s leftovers, giving you negotiating leverage |  Health Insurance:Open enrollment may be your one chance to sign up for insurance for next year |
 Wedding Dresses:Wedding fever is at its lowest pitch now |  Swimsuits:Swimwear is as much as 90% off, but selection is low |  Cookware:Kitchenware becomes cheaper as the holidays approach |
 Christmas Trees:For the best selection, get your tree right after Thanksgiving; it’ll stay good for at least a month, and trees later in the season have been cut weeks earlier anyway |  Frozen Turkeys:Buy one immediately after Thanksgiving, when grocery stores still have a glut |  Toys:Retailers are slashing prices to maximize holiday sales |
 Electronics:Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer great deals on everything from TVs to computers |
 Wedding Dresses:The beginning of December is the slow season, so get in before holiday engagements |  Televisions:In the run up to the holidays, stores have big sales on TVs |  Pools:Off-season, you’ll find the cheapest prices, though maybe not the best inventory |
 Small Kitchen Appliances:Get your mixer and blender during holiday sales |  Champagne and Sparkling Wine:Although these are in high demand, prices are also more competitive than usual |  Frozen Meat:Buy this immediately after Christmas, when grocery stores still have a glut |
