A "To Do" List for End-Of-Year 2013: 10 Important Things to Consider

1. Max out any retirement contributions that apply to you: http://www.irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/Plan-Participant,-Employee/Retirement-Topics-IRA-Contribution-Limits
2. Spend those last FSA dollars. If yours don’t roll over or have any grace period (as some accounts now do for a certain portion), "use it or lose it" on vitamins, contact lens/eye care, first aid supplies (update that kit!) and more.
3. Prepay any tax-deductible bills that are due in January. Your mortgage, student loan payments, etc. Paying by credit card is a great way to document it in 2013 (but the IRS also says as long as you mail the payment in 2013 you can claim it).
4. Review your employee filing status/payroll deductions and related contributions. Notify your HR team of any requested changes for 2014 immediately.
5. Review and update your will. Everyone needs to have a will. Don’t have one or want to start fresh? Here are some online will creation resources to consider:
1. http://www.nolo.com/products/online-will-nnwill.html
2. http://www.legalzoom.com/legal-wills/wills-overview.html
6. Review your insurance policies. Look at coverage limits and deductibles for auto, homeowners, life, and umbrella policies.  
7. Clear out the clutter and leave 2013 behind. Use the classic triple-threat auditing system of "keep," "donate," and "trash," and apply this logic to everything from clothing and toy bins to junk drawers and old “keep” storage boxes.
8. Make your final donations (clothing/household items or cash) to the non-profit of your choice. Be sure to document your haul and get that receipt: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Offers-Tips-for-Year-End-Giving-2013
9. Organize: Decide on a filing system (for this tax year, be it a spreadsheet or a shoebox) and create/share your household calendar for 2014. Consider smartphone sharable formats like Outlook or Google, or stick with a good old fashioned bound day planner that is kept in a central location in your home.
10. Decide on that resolution for 2014. Is it a new mantra? Or is it something more specific or goal-oriented? Write it down and keep it in a place where it won’t get lost in the shuffle and forgotten sooner than later.