Spring is here and it’s time to open the doors, shake out the rugs, and let some of that fresh air into your life again. Whether or not you’ve just endured a brutal, snowy winter, spring is a great time to make some positive changes that will help keep your momentum up all year long.
Here are 8 ways that you can spring clean your entire life, starting right now as we head into summer.
#1 Get started on your taxes and finances for next year
Yes, I know you probably just finished doing your taxes for last year, but there’s no better time to get everything in order for this year. If tax time is particularly stressful for you, get a jump start on entering your expenses and income into your favorite financial tracker Mint to make next year’s tax season a breeze. The first quarter of the year is already over, so don’t wait to get on top of your finances.
#2 Cut the monthly recurring clutter
If you have your bank and credit accounts linked up together with Mint, take a moment to review any monthly recurring expenses that you aren’t still using. You might be able to save hundreds of dollars by cutting out an unused gym membership now that the weather is nicer outside. To take full advantage of the beautiful weather, try pausing or canceling a streaming video subscription for a few months; you can always go back to it later when you want to spend more time inside again.
#3 Declutter one item or more per day
A big part of spring cleaning is clearing out the clutter that might have accumulated over the winter in your home. The best part is, decluttering doesn’t have to be terrible. You can make a fun game out of it by donating, selling, or recycling one thing every day for the entire month. Feeling ambitious? Try playing The Minimalist Game, which starts on a new month and ramp up the number of items you declutter as you go. One on the first day, two on the second day, three on the third, and so on.
#4 Clear out the closet and donate any clothes you’re not wearing
Especially if you live in a colder climate, it’s probably time to change over your wardrobe to a more seasonally-appropriate selection. Instead of packing all of winter clothes away, donate any sweaters and winter wear that didn’t get used over the last four months or so, then pack away the rest for when you’re ready to use it again. If you want to give a capsule wardrobe a try, check out Project333—33 items of clothing for three months.
#5 Eat a salad as a meal every day
While winter is the perfect time for hearty soups and stews, it’s time to break out the salad tongs and lighten up your fare. Try replacing one of your meals with a big salad each day and see how it makes you feel after a few weeks. It doesn’t have to be lettuce in a bowl either, you can get creative with your vegetables, toppings and dressings. Not only is this a great way to eat more greens, but you can save a bunch of money by preparing a lunch like this in advance instead of buying lunches out while at work.
#6 Dust the surfaces and corners in your home
If you’re going to do some spring cleaning, it should probably include some actual cleaning, right? Grab the duster and vacuum and pay special attention to the corners, nooks, and crannies around your home. A little attention to some often ignored areas can go a long way in making your space feel clean, open, and inviting. Now is a great time to pull your furniture and appliances out from the wall, wipe down cabinets, and dust the blinds.
#7 Check in on all of your credit cards, bank accounts, and monitor your credit score
About once a year, it’s good to make sure you actually have all of your credit and debit cards. Have you been locked out of your online savings account for a while? Call the company and get it figured out. Locate all of your physical credit and debit cards and make sure they’re all securely stored in your wallet or somewhere safe.
Most importantly, check your credit profile to make sure everything is on point and there aren’t any issues you weren’t aware of. You can use your Mint.com account to check your credit score without impacting your credit, and regularly monitor it completely free. It’s a great option that doesn’t require pulling your full report or paying for active monitoring.
#8 Change your passwords and enable 2-factor authentication when possible
Yes, it’s totally a pain but the best time to change and update any old or duplicated passwords is right now. Especially if you use the same password across several different sites, it’s important to change them up and use proper, secure passwords for each site. I highly recommend using a password manager like LastPass or Dashlane, they both streamline the process and make it easy to manage a huge number of proper passwords.
Even if you just pick a few of these ideas, you’ll surely reap the rewards of doing some spring cleaning this month. The more space you create for all the right things, the more easy and fun the rest of your year will be. Let’s get cleaning!
