by Dr. Michael Smith

Created on: October 22, 2009

Most people wait too late to get the things ready for the coming holidays. Even in a down economy, needed painters, plumbers, etc. may not be able to schedule you in time. Early planning and execution will save money and time. Consider some very quick and easy fixes to get things ready before the seasonal rush of family and friends.

1. Get moving on painting areas that need a face lift. If needed, find a painter and get a quote. One great source to find the best is your local Sherwin-Williams store. They usually keep a list of their five or ten best painters to recommend to customers. You should also request references with the quote so that you can check them out. In the words of President Ronald ReaganTrustbut verify!

2. Hold a yard sale and get rid of clutter. This is a great way to pay for a painter as well. Do not over organize the yard sell. Don't waste time pricing and making it neat. Put the stuff out and give off the cuff prices. A great rule of thumb is that whatever goes out for the sale does not come back into the house. Take the leftovers to Good Will on the same day after the sale.

3. Have carpets cleaned early. Do not wait until the week before Thanksgiving to have carpets cleaned. Do it early and make sure they dry thoroughly before allowing traffic on them. Note: turning on the air conditioning to dry carpeting is better than heat, as the heat may promote mold growth.

4. Start to shop for non-perishable food items now. Now is a great time to clip and use coupons and utilize sales for food items for the holidays. As the season approaches you will have less time to spend looking for deals. Utilize your freezer and pantry to buy up good deals ahead of the time.

5. Develop to-do lists for your mate and any older children in the house. Yes, that means dad and the kids can help with the work. Many hands make work light, and there is no reason why mom should have all the fun. Delegate and hold them accountable.

6. Get the yard in shape. Now that the fall season is ending and leaves are down, it is a great time to get yard work done. Removing leaves, limbs and debris will make things look great. Remove clutter from porches, patios, and yards. Store summer items out of site and pressure wash the house and sidewalks for a clean look.

7. Start Christmas shopping before the rush. Let's face it! Last minute shopping, whether for groceries or gifts, always leads to bad decisions and blown budgets. Make a Christmas list now and determine to shop for one person or family each week. Set a goal of being done by the first week of December. Wrap and store gifts as you purchase them.

8. Plan holiday meals now. In one afternoon you should be able to sit and plan the menus and grocery lists for the upcoming holiday season. The importance of doing it now is to utilize coupons and discounts and save money on the cost of holiday entertaining.

9. Prep as much of your holiday foods as you can. Nothing spoils holiday fun like being stuck in the kitchen. With today's technology, a lot of finger foods, snacks, and even main dishes can be prepped, or even cooked and frozen in the weeks before the event. The more you plan the better off you will be.

10. Plan to go green this holiday season. Think about ways to reduce waste from throwaways. Plan to use less paper plates and cups, and fewer paper products in general. With today's dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers it is no longer a huge chore to save paper, and even small savings will effect landfills and our children's future.

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