I am a busybody during the last half of December because I like to update/renew/discard/clean things before the year turns over. I made a list since I love to make lists and perhaps it will remind you to take of some things, too.

• Clean out filing drawers - bank statements, utility bills, medical receipts, etc. I keep a folder in my filing cabinet for any current year tax-related papers, so that when it's time to do my tax returns, everything is all there in one place.
• Update your will, durable power of attorney, and living will, if needed.
• Yardwork - clean out gutters, rake leaves, clean up invasive species growth in backyard.
• Fire safety - a fire extinguisher is only good for six years. Update if needed ($20 will buy a good one). Replace batteries in smoke detectors.
• Back up data on laptop.
• Make tax-deductible donations for the current tax year.
• Sell any losing investments if you want to write them off on the current tax year.
• Clean out the attic - items can be donated.
• Rebalance IRA and 401K - sell overweighted sectors and buy underweighted sectors.
• Meet with your financial advisor to create a plan for the upcoming year.
• 2007's Roth IRA max contribution is $4000; get that check ready to invest the first week of January.
• Evaluate career accomplishments for the past year and think about career goals for the upcoming year.

I am going to get all of these done by the end of the year. This week I have been intensely focused; thus enabling me to get superhuman amounts of tasks completed. This morning I was awake at FIVE THIRTY AM!! Wide awake. Ready to rumble. This behavior! Coming from a girl who is usually in a stupor until eight am!!! Who is this person?? Ha ha.