4 ways I’m getting organized in 2014

Well Happy 2014 to ya! I’m about to get my juice on this morning. Can I make you a glass too?

So, I’ve been thinking long and hard about what my New Year’s resolutions would be. For the first time there isn’t much about my eats & exercise habits that I feel needs changing–except maybe drinking more water, which I’m working on, and cutting back on my consumption of french fries, but that’s not happening–so I decided this was the year to get organized.

Generally speaking, I’m an organized person. It’s embarrassing to say but my Google calendars are color coded and synced with each other so I never double-book a meeting or dinner party. And if you take a peek in my closet, you’ll find my blouses, sweaters, blazers, bottoms, skirts and dresses neatly hung together, facing the same direction.

But then there are things I have subconsciously ignored for quite some time now–like important paperwork, formulating a budget, the blog and my email inbox. 2014 is the year that’s going to change.

1. Important paperwork.  The hubs and I have had some major things on our to-do list since we got married 6 months ago. We met with a financial planner, which was one of them, but still have to take care of some not-so-pleasant necessities like establishing our own wills and setting up a trust.

Before that can happen though, I need to get my butt to the Social Security office to legally change my name. Also on this important paperwork task list getting my California Driver’s License (RIP cute North Carolina photo) and updating my passport. Painful stuff, isn’t it? I might just take a day or two of vacation time to bang these things out ASAP.

2. Family finances. The hubs and I have enjoyed spending as we like over the past six months but now it’s time to put some serious financial plans in place. This is the year for formulating a family budget, maxing out our retirement savings & starting to save for a house. I’ve already set up an account on Mint and we have plans to hash out a budget over brunch this weekend.

3.  The blog. A few months ago I signed up for an editorial calendar service to keep my blog and social media posts organized but with the busyness of the holidays, I just haven’t been able to get in the habit of using it–but this weekend that’s going to change. I’ve also put some blog housekeeping tasks on my to-do list like fixing broken links on my recipe page, switching to a mobile friendly theme and jazzing up my sidebars a bit. Basically, I just need to write up a long laundry list of wishes and find a designer to help. Oh, and I nearly forgot about my Pinterest boards! I’ve been wanting to organize them for like ever and spent most of the day yesterday doing just that. Yay for having one thing checked off my organization checklist!

4. My inbox.  I’ve developed a bad habit when it comes reading emails. I read them, and oftentimes, put off responding. Not my work emails of course–that would surely get me fired–but when it comes to my blog and personal emails, I tend to put those replies the back burner for no good reason. It really makes no sense since eventually, they all get responded to and just clutter my inbox in the meantime. I really want to be that person that responds to emails within 24 hours so this year I’m making it happen.

I’ve compiling a long checklist of my big 2014 to-dos and, while I’m shooting off email responses in a timely manner, I plan to check one item off at least every week or two! If you have any tips for tackling any of the above, by all means. I need all the help I can get.

Organizing: What needs a little in your life?