Preparing for the End of 2013 and the Beginning of 2014

This is a funny time of year full of shopping, holiday celebrations and, for most of us, thinking. We know the New Year is around the corner, which gives us the opportunity to start over. If you're planning to set new goals for 2014, you need to know the most productive ways to finish off 2013 first.

Your House

Start with your home and get things organized. Many people wait for spring cleaning for this, but it's better to get it done during the holidays. You're getting out decorations for the season anyway, so why not organize the closet, attic, garage and other storage your home provides?

Getting organized will help to eliminate some of the clutter from your life. Start with a small project and work your way up to the larger projects around the house. There's about a full month left, so get started early and you won't have to do it all last minute.

Your Finances

Another part of your life that probably needs a little organizing before the New Year is your money. A budget is a great way to get a handle on what you need to pay and when. The holidays tend to be a time we spend more money than we can afford, but the New Year allows you to start over again.

You can start saving for Christmas 2014 in January instead of waiting until the end of the year. This reset is a great time to take a closer look at what you really need to deal with when it comes to you financial house.

Setting Goals

Many of us will be setting goals or "New Year's Resolutions" for 2014. This is a time to get started on something you've always wanted to do, lose weight, get your finances in order or take care of a number of other things. No matter what your goals are, setting them is an important step.

Pick three to five major goals you want to achieve for 2014 and break the down into smaller goals you can achieve every quarter, month, week and day.

By getting organized and setting new goals, you can start 2014 on a positive note. Start now and you will be ready for January 1st before it arrived.