Reminders

It’s our mission to help you win every day. Our daily reminders feature helps you remember the things you need to do on the days you need to do it.

Finance

05 Dec
Insurance

Review pet insurance options

Time to complete: 50 min

Difficulty: Medium

Compare pet insurance plans to ensure your pet is covered for accidents, illness, and seasonal risks.

What you will need

  • Current pet insurance policy (if applicable)
  • Comparison sites
  • Vet estimate for annual care costs

Steps to follow

  1. Review what your current policy covers (accidents, illness, dental, prescriptions).
  2. Compare gaps or exclusions to your pet’s breed and age needs.
  3. Get quotes from at least two additional insurers.
  4. Pay attention to deductibles and annual payout limits.
  5. Switch or adjust coverage before the new year if needed.

Benefits

Avoid high vet bills

Insurance reduces big surprise costs.

Customize coverage

Tailor to your pet’s changing health needs.

Improve peace of mind

Know your pet is protected.

04 Dec
Banking

Review whether your bank’s fees will change in January

Time to complete: 35 min

Difficulty: Easy

Check if your bank is changing its fees next year and confirm you're using the best banking option.

What you will need

  • Bank’s annual fee disclosure notice
  • Online comparison sites
  • Checking and savings balances

Steps to follow

  1. Check your bank’s website or recent emails for upcoming fee changes.
  2. Compare those fees to your current usage and balances.
  3. Search online for free or low-fee banking alternatives.
  4. If switching makes sense, open the new account before fees take effect.
  5. Redirect direct deposit and payments gradually to avoid disruptions.

Benefits

Avoid unnecessary fees

Prevent surprise charges in January.

Find better options

Many banks offer no-fee accounts.

Improve savings

Keep more of your money each month.

03 Dec
Insurance

Check winter-specific insurance questions

Time to complete: 45 min

Difficulty: Medium

Review your insurance policies for winter-related risks like frozen pipes or storm damage.

What you will need

  • Homeowners or renters insurance policy
  • Insurer customer support number
  • Notes doc for coverage gaps

Steps to follow

  1. Open your home or renters policy and find the exclusions section.
  2. Look for mentions of frozen pipes, storm damage, and water-related incidents.
  3. Call your insurer to clarify unclear terms or coverage caps.
  4. Make updates or add riders if your area faces harsh winter conditions.

Benefits

Avoid surprise bills

Know what winter damage is actually covered.

Improve protection

Close coverage gaps before weather hits.

Prevent stress

Confidence during cold-weather months.

02 Dec
Budgeting

Analyze where your money went

Time to complete: 60 min

Difficulty: Medium

Review your spending for the first 11 months of the year to see where your money actually went.

What you will need

  • Bank and credit card statements
  • Budgeting spreadsheet or app
  • Calculator

Steps to follow

  1. Download your credit card and bank statements from January through November.
  2. Group expenses into categories such as food, transportation, bills, and entertainment.
  3. Highlight categories that grew over the year or look higher than expected.
  4. Note where you overspent and where you did well.
  5. Use these insights to update your budget for next year.

Benefits

Spot spending leaks

Identify habits that cost more than you realized.

Make better plans

Data helps you adjust next year’s budget.

Feel more in control

Knowing the numbers reduces stress.

01 Dec
Spending

Ensure you enable a holiday credit monitoring system

Time to complete: 40 min

Difficulty: Easy

Protect your identity during the holiday season with strong credit monitoring and optional credit freezes.

What you will need

  • Credit bureau accounts (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
  • Bank/credit card alerts
  • Password manager for secure logins

Steps to follow

  1. Log into all three credit bureaus and enable free alerts.
  2. Turn on transaction alerts in your bank and credit card apps.
  3. Freeze your credit at all three bureaus if you don’t plan to apply for new credit soon.
  4. Check your recent credit reports for anything unfamiliar.
  5. Keep alerts active through the holiday shopping season.

Benefits

Prevent identity theft

Quick alerts for unauthorized activity.

Protect holiday spending

Reduces risk during high-volume shopping.

Gain peace of mind

Know your credit is locked down.

30 Nov
Financial Planning

Prioritize your financial health

Time to complete: 60 min

Difficulty: Medium

Focus on the key areas that keep your finances strong—income, spending, debt, savings, and long-term plans.

What you will need

  • Monthly budget or expense tracker
  • List of income sources
  • Savings and debt records

Steps to follow

  1. Review your current financial picture: income, expenses, savings, and debts.
  2. Look for ways to add stability, such as side income or emergency savings.
  3. Identify one spending habit to improve this month.
  4. Check progress toward long-term goals like retirement or debt payoff.

Benefits

Build stability

Diverse income and savings protect against surprises.

Reduce stress

Managing spending and debt brings confidence.

Support long-term success

Consistent planning helps you reach major goals.

29 Nov
Insurance

Assess your insurance deductibles

Time to complete: 40 min

Difficulty: Medium

Make sure your insurance deductibles are amounts you can actually afford to pay if something happens.

What you will need

  • Insurance policy documents
  • Emergency fund balance
  • Calculator

Steps to follow

  1. Locate your deductible amounts in your policy documents.
  2. Compare each deductible to what you could pay right now from savings.
  3. If the deductible is too high, ask your insurer for options to lower it.
  4. Balance the new deductible amount with the monthly premium cost.

Benefits

Stay protected

Ensures you can actually afford to use your insurance.

Avoid financial shocks

Prevents large, unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

Find balance

Aligns premiums and deductibles with your budget.

28 Nov
Budgeting

Make a needs versus wants list before shopping

Time to complete: 25 min

Difficulty: Easy

Plan your purchases ahead of time by separating what you truly need from what you just want.

What you will need

  • Pen and paper or a notes app
  • Your budget or spending limit
  • List of items you’ve been planning to buy

Steps to follow

  1. Write two columns: “Needs” and “Wants.”
  2. Under “Needs,” list practical items you’ve planned for (e.g., replacing a broken appliance, upgrading a laptop).
  3. Under “Wants,” add things that would be nice to have but aren’t essential.
  4. Set a firm spending limit for your “Wants” category—ideally using cash or debit, not credit.
  5. When shopping, check your list before each purchase and skip anything that didn’t make it onto it.

Benefits

Avoid buyer’s remorse

Keeps you from overspending on short-lived excitement.

Stay on budget

Focuses your spending on what you actually need.

Shop with confidence

You’ll feel better knowing your purchases are intentional.

27 Nov
Spending

Assess your credit card annual fee

Time to complete: 30 min

Difficulty: Easy

Review whether the annual fee on your credit card is worth what you’re getting in rewards or perks.

What you will need

  • Credit card statements
  • List of rewards or perks
  • Calculator

Steps to follow

  1. Find your card’s annual fee on your last statement or issuer website.
  2. List the perks you’ve actually used this year (credits, cashback, points).
  3. Estimate the dollar value of those rewards.
  4. Subtract the annual fee from that total to see if you’re in the positive.
  5. If not, consider switching to a no-fee card or downgrading.

Benefits

Save money

Avoid paying for benefits you don’t use.

Maximize rewards

Keep cards that provide real value.

Simplify finances

Fewer fees mean easier budgeting.

Home

05 Dec
Home Renovation

Clean your bathtub

Time to complete: 20 min

Difficulty: Easy

Scrub your bathtub to remove soap scum, stains, and buildup for a fresher bathroom.

What you will need

  • Bathroom cleaner
  • Soft sponge or scrub brush
  • Microfiber cloth

Steps to follow

  1. Spray cleaner across the bathtub surface.
  2. Scrub in circular motions to lift grime.
  3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
  4. Wipe dry to prevent water spots.
  5. Repeat weekly to stay ahead of buildup.

Benefits

Avoid deep-cleaning fees

Saves $100–$200 by maintaining the finish.

Prevent staining

Regular cleaning avoids costly refinishing.

Improve hygiene

Fewer germs reduces illness risk.

04 Dec
Home Renovation

Tighten any loose handles or doorknobs

Time to complete: 15 min

Difficulty: Easy

Tighten loose handles and doorknobs to keep doors secure and prevent wear.

What you will need

  • Screwdriver
  • Allen wrench (if needed)
  • Lubricant spray

Steps to follow

  1. Check all doors for wobbling handles or loose knobs.
  2. Tighten screws or set screws with the proper tool.
  3. Lubricate moving parts if sticking.
  4. Test for smooth turn and latch.

Benefits

Avoid hardware replacement

Loose knobs strip mechanisms ($20–$60 saved).

Prevent door damage

Secure handles reduce cracks and scuffs.

Improve safety

Proper latching keeps rooms secure.

03 Dec
Interior Decoration

Donate clothing your kids have outgrown

Time to complete: 30 min

Difficulty: Easy

Sort and donate outgrown kids’ clothes to free up space and help others.

What you will need

  • Donation bags
  • Laundry basket
  • Labels or sticky notes

Steps to follow

  1. Empty drawers and closets to see everything at once.
  2. Sort by fit and condition and set aside outgrown items.
  3. Bag donations neatly and label them.
  4. Fold and organize remaining clothes by category.
  5. Drop donations off at your preferred charity.

Benefits

Avoid storage overflow

Reduces clutter without extra bins.

Save money

Identifies gaps so you don’t buy duplicates.

Support the community

Donated items help families in need.

02 Dec
Interior Decoration

Set up a paw-washing station near your entry

Time to complete: 10 min

Difficulty: Easy

Create a simple paw-washing station to keep pets from tracking winter mud and snow indoors.

What you will need

  • Small towel or pet-safe wipes
  • Shallow water bowl
  • Mat or tray
  • Treats for cooperation

Steps to follow

  1. Place a mat or tray near your entryway.
  2. Add a shallow bowl of warm water and a towel.
  3. Wipe or dip paws after each walk.
  4. Dry thoroughly before letting pets roam inside.
  5. Reward with a treat to build a routine

Benefits

Reduce floor wear

Less dirt saves on rug and floor cleaning ($50–$150).

Prevent paw irritation

Salt removal avoids vet visits ($50–$300).

Cut cleaning time

Fewer muddy prints means less mopping.

01 Dec
Interior Decoration

Replace broken bulbs on Christmas lights

Time to complete: 20 min

Difficulty: Easy

Check and replace Christmas tree bulbs to keep your lights bright and safe.

What you will need

  • Spare bulbs or fuses
  • Extension cord
  • Microfiber cloth

Steps to follow

  1. Plug in your light strands and identify burned-out or dim bulbs.
  2. Replace bad bulbs or fuses with matching replacements.
  3. Clean bulbs with a cloth to remove dust and brighten the display.
  4. Test the strand again to confirm even lighting.
  5. Rehang the lights if needed for spacing.

Benefits

Prevent electrical shorts

Faulty bulbs can cause overheating ($100–$300 repair risk).

Reduce replacement buying

Fixing strands saves $10–$30 per string.

Improve safety

Fewer weak points lowers fire risk.

30 Nov
Interior Decoration

Organize pantry staples in jars or canisters

Time to complete: 40 min

Difficulty: Easy

Store dry goods in airtight jars or canisters to keep food fresh and your pantry organized.

What you will need

  • Airtight jars or canisters (glass or BPA-free plastic)
  • Labels and marker
  • Funnel (optional for pouring dry goods)

Steps to follow

  1. Empty opened boxes and bags into clean, dry containers.
  2. Label each container with the food name and expiration date.
  3. Arrange by category (baking, grains, snacks) for easy access.
  4. Wipe shelves and remove crumbs before restocking.
  5. Use older items first to reduce waste.

Benefits

Reduce food waste

Airtight storage prevents spoilage ($20–$50 savings per month).

Save time and money

Seeing inventory avoids duplicate purchases.

Keep pests out

Sealed containers protect from bugs and moisture.

29 Nov
Consumer Electronics

Clean TV screens and monitor displays

Time to complete: 15 min

Difficulty: Easy

Use a microfiber cloth to gently clean TV and monitor screens for a clear, streak-free view.

What you will need

  • Microfiber cloth
  • Distilled water or screen-safe cleaning spray
  • Compressed air (optional)

Steps to follow

  1. Turn off and unplug your screen to see smudges clearly.
  2. Wipe gently with a dry microfiber cloth to lift dust.
  3. Lightly mist the cloth with cleaner (never spray directly).
  4. Wipe in circular motions until streaks are gone.
  5. Clean frames and stands before plugging back in.

Benefits

Avoid screen repairs

Prevents scratches or coating damage ($150–$500).

Improve clarity

Cleaner displays reduce eye strain and boost brightness.

Save on replacements

Gentle cleaning extends device lifespan.

28 Nov
Gardening

Have your snow blower serviced and refueled

Time to complete: 45 min

Difficulty: Medium

Tune up and refuel your snow blower before the first storm to ensure it starts smoothly.

What you will need

  • Fresh gasoline and fuel stabilizer
  • Engine oil and funnel
  • Spark plug wrench
  • Owner’s manual

Steps to follow

  1. Check oil and fuel levels, topping up or replacing as needed.
  2. Inspect spark plug and replace if worn.
  3. Lubricate moving parts and clear old snow buildup.
  4. Start the machine to confirm it runs smoothly.
  5. Store with fuel stabilizer added for longer life.

Benefits

Avoid emergency repairs

Early service prevents shop visits ($100–$300).

Extend machine life

Clean fuel and oil reduce engine wear ($400–$800 replacement avoided).

Save time

Reliable startups mean faster snow clearing.

27 Nov
Consumer Electronics

Back up your phone data

Time to complete: 25 min

Difficulty: Easy

Back up your phone before holiday trips to protect your photos, contacts, and documents.

What you will need

  • Phone charger
  • Wi-Fi connection
  • Cloud storage account or external drive

Steps to follow

  1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi and open your backup settings.
  2. Run a full cloud backup or transfer files to an external drive.
  3. Confirm photos, videos, and contacts are included.
  4. Update phone software while plugged in for faster performance.
  5. Double-check your backup date before traveling.

Benefits

Prevent data loss

Avoid recovery costs ($300–$1,000).

Save time

Quick restore if your phone’s lost or replaced.

Peace of mind

Keeps memories and contacts secure while traveling.