March 2009 Monthly Checklist

March 1
Schedule your annual doctor's appointment for yourself and everyone in the family.

March 2
Do some research on vitamins so you can ask your doctor at your next appointment what vitamins you and your family should be taking.

March 3
Remove the cushions from your sofas and vacuum out the crumbs and debris.

March 4
Brush up on a procedure or task that you have not done for a while at work.

March 5
In this volatile economy, make sure to keep your resume updated and money in the bank. Job security is a thing of the past so you need to be prepared just in case.

March 6
Start decorating for Spring &/or Easter.

March 7
Make a list of the things you plan on getting done around the house as winter moves into spring.

March 8
Organize the junk drawer.

March 9 -- Daylight Savings Time Begins
Make sure to change your clocks. It’s 'spring forward' so the clock is turned ahead one hour.

March 10
When was the last time you took a look at the books on your bookshelves? Take all the books off the shelves. Put the books you plan on no longer reading again in a box to give away to a local literacy organization, school, or library.

March 11
Today is a day to think about all the things you are grateful for in your life. Sometimes life is so hectic and things happen that we don't expect that we forget about the good things we have in our life. Take the time to start a gratitude journal.

March 12
Plan to see one of the movies that recently won or were nominated for an Oscar during the 81st Academy of Awards ceremony in February.

March 13
Have a marathon ironing session and iron everything in your closet that needs it.

March 14
Have you ever considered taking up yoga? It is a great way to relax and get fit at the same time.

March 15
Federal and state income taxes are due a month from now. If you haven't put together all of your records and forms, do so now. The sooner you get your taxes prepared, the sooner you will receive a refund.

March 16
Have you brushed up on your computer skills lately? If there is something you have been meaning to learn more about regarding your computer, take the initiative now and learn it.

March 17 -- St. Patrick’s Day
Make sure everyone in the family has an umbrella for those rainy days of Spring.

March 18
Today looks like a great day to do a good deed for someone you don't know. That could be as simple as paying someone a quick compliment or helping an elderly person with groceries.

March 19
Let your creative side flow today. Take out those crafts that are sitting aside waiting to be started and work on them.

March 20 -- First Day of Spring
Open the garage and do some light cleaning to get rid of winter evidence (sweep it out, cover the snow blower, etc.)

March 21
Plan out your garden. Check out seed and plant catalogs and websites. Start thinking about what you want to plant.

March 22
If you're planning a vacation getaway in the summer or fall, start planning ahead for flight information, hotel, and activities to get the best deals.

March 23 Pull out your spring/summer decorations and accessories. It’s time to put away the winter decor for another year.

March 24 -- Happy Birthday Harry Houdini
Think 'magic.' Learn something new about the history of magic or see a show regarding magic.

March 25
Wash the winter coats, jackets, and other heavy clothing items so they can be packed away and replaced with spring and summer items.

March 26
Houseplants are a great thing to have in your home. They help to clean up the air and give a fresh look to the room they reside in.

March 27
Do you know when your next car maintenance appointment is? If not already scheduled, schedule it now.

March 28
Have your lawnmower and other yard equipment checked and blades sharpened, if needed. Grass will start growing again soon, if it hasn't already.

March 29
It’s a new season and a good idea to double-check the budget and make sure everything is in order.

March 30
Spring is a great time to deep clean the refrigerator and freezer. Go through everything and check expiration dates. Toss old items. Clean and disinfect the walls and shelving.

March 31 Become prepared. Watch out for jokes tomorrow and/or think of a friendly joke to play on someone. Tomorrow is April Fool’s Day.

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It - Part Twelve

Part Twelve - Or Just Because . . .

95. It has no value, sentimental or monetary.
96. It hasn't been used in over a year.
97. There is no logical place to keep it.
98. It doesn't work.
99. An ex gave it to you.
100. And what's the worst that can happen if you throw it out?

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It - Part Eleven

Part Eleven - Because If They Said It, It's Probably True

90. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" by Leonardo da Vinci.
91. "Less is more" by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
92. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful" by William Morris.
93. "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative" by Johnny Mercer.
94. "The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure, especially when you get rid of something you don't want" by Frank Butler.

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It - Part Ten

Part Ten - Because You Don't Want to End Up Like Them

85. Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations."
86. Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale in "Grey Gardens."
87. Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple."
88. The family in the documentary "Packrat."
89. The Bronx, New York, man who, in 2003, was trapped in his home under an avalanche of books and newspapers for two days before being rescued.

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It - Part Nine

Part Nine - Because There's a Better Option

82. Search for phone numbers online instead of storing bulky telephone directories.
83. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.
84. Read "Dating Up: Dump the Schlump and Find a Quality Man," by J. Courtney Sullivan (Warner Books, $14, 2007).

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It - Part Eight

Part Eight - Because the Last Thing You Need Is More Paper Lying Around

78. File your taxes through an authorized IRS e-file provider.
79. Eliminate paper statements by banking and paying bills online.
80. Call 1-888-567-8688 to stop unwanted credit card solicitations.
81. Opt out of mailing and telemarketing lists by logging on to Fight Identity Theft.

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It - Part Seven

Part Seven - Because It's Old or Expired

64. Replacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones saves money and fuel.
65. Running shoes should be retired after 300 to 500 miles in order to prevent injuries.
66. Throw away your toothbrush every three to four months.
67. Swap your pitcher's water filter every two months.
68. Change out disposable air conditioner filters once a month (during the hot, air conditioning season).
69 Replace the batteries in your smoke detector on the same day every year to make it easier to remember to change the batteries. I change the batteries on Halloween night and Daylight Savings Time day.
70. Find the USDA's recommended storage limits for refrigerated and frozen food.
71. Throw out mascara and moisturizer after three months.
72. Discard foundation and sunscreen after six months.
73. Keep concealer, lipstick, eyeliners, lip liners, fragrances, powders, blushes, and shadows no longer than two years.
74.-76. Say goodbye to the dried-out remnants of your favorite no-longer-available lipstick and check out Three Custom Color Specialists, T.J.Maxx stores, or Lancome's "Beauty Bye-Bye" program for replacements or duplicates of discontinued cosmetics.

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It - Part Six

Part Six - Because You Can Get Something Back

54. Return six MAC Cosmetics containers to any MAC store and receive a free lipstick.
55. Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new iPod.
56. Easily convert spare change into "real" money.
57. Sell it to your neighbors.
58. Sell it to anyone.
59. Get cash for gift cards you'll never use.
60. Trade the books you have for the ones you want.
61. Trade the DVDs you've seen for the ones you haven't.
62. Clear off your CD shelves and make money in the process.
63. The great entertainment exchange: books, music, movies, and games, all swapped in one place.

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It - Part Five

Part Five - Because It Will Make Your Life Better

50. Getting rid of clutter will reduce housework by 40 percent.
51. Erase a $10K credit card debt (with an average interest rate) 65 percent faster -- and pay 75 percent less total interest -- when you pay the double amount of the typical minimum monthly payment.
52. Download security software -- many free programs are available online -- to keep a lid on computer pop-ups.
53. Around 23 percent of people pay late fees on bills they cannot find.