The 2009 festivities are over and 2010 holds plenty of bold, new promises for you. As the new year unfolds, waste no time in drawing up your plans, goals, timetable for the year. Start the year right (and be the early bird that catches the worm!) by going through our January to-do checklist:

1. Take advantage of year-end sales

This is the best time to buy as much as your budget allows because most shops go on crazy marked-down year-end sales in January. Prepare for your summer wardrobe by buying now instead of in March or April when summer dresses and swimsuits are at their peak, price-wise. You may be shelling out a little more on top of your huge holiday spending but you’ll be saving some serious money in the long run. Just make sure to buy necessary items that are on sale and not wanted items because they are on sale!

2. Draw up your New Year’s Resolutions

You may follow them, forget about them from time to time or completely abandon them after a month, it doesn’t matter. Writing your resolutions down help in organizing your thoughts and in making the commitment to follow them through. As the famous quote goes, preparation is half the battle. Resolutions are not rigid commandments so don’t self-flagellate when you break them. Most of the time, they serve as consistent reminders for us to get back on track at the start of every year when we get waylaid by all sorts of temptations for the rest of the year.

3. Set your financial goals

Know how much you will earn, spend and save for 2010 by creating a budget starting this month. Aside from that, re-evaluating your 2009 financial goals and habits will keep you in perspective in terms of what to expect of yourself financially and what you should do this year. If your savings have not earned much last year vis-a-vis the country’s inflation rate, then maybe it’s time to be more aggressive in terms of investing your money this year (within your own risk limits, of course). If you lost most of your money last year from bad investments, then maybe it’s more prudent to be conservative this year and to start re-building your nest egg.

4. Do your spring cleaning

Why wait for spring to do your spring cleaning? Start now when you’re still high on holiday spirits and while you’re packing those christmas decors. If you resolve to get more exercise this year, dusting off those shelves, organizing your cabinets, cleaning out those closets in the attic will also help jumpstart your calorie-busting routine. A clean and well-organized home is a nice way to start the year right – it’s a signal (and a way to condition your mind) that you’re ready to be at your best in 2010.

5. Have a make-over

Speaking of being at your best, January is a good time to start getting that haircut you’ve always wanted, getting make-up lessons from a pro, getting in shape for the beach this summer and wearing clothes that you’ve always wanted to wear but were afraid to try. Enough with the stressing out on holidays. It’s time to pamper yourself. Go ahead and book those trips to the dermatologist, the dentist or physical trainer. You deserve to look good and feel good starting today.

6. Re-evaluate your business or career

Now is the time to analyze those sales, marketing strategies and business tools utilized in 2009. Were they effective? Are there any changes you’d like to implement this year? In terms of career, do you enjoy what you do? Are you on track in terms of your career goals? Is your resume updated? Take the time to re-evaluate your business or career and think about whether this is what you want to do for the rest of your (working) life. If you would like to take big steps in 2010 (such as investing a big chunk of your capital on a revolutionary product line or switching from being employed to starting your own business), do it this month while you still have that perspective of a new beginning. Time to plan ahead and be proactive in business and career this month.

7. Start writing a journal

It helps clear your thoughts and record those memories as you remember them. Writing a journal is a therapeutic exercise and can also be a highly enjoyable activity – it serves as a keeper of all those happy thoughts and feelings at peak moments of our lives and as reminders that we are who we are because of our failings and the mistakes that we have made.

8. Plan your travel itinerary

The earlier you plan, the higher are the chances that you’ll be able to get good deals on your travels. It’s a good idea to scour the internet for the schedule of festivals and events in different countries or places at the start of the year and take note of them. When airline promos and holiday deals crop up, you’ll be able to determine where to go right away without having to think. Snatch up good travel deals all throughout the year for trips you’ve planned ahead in time.

Here’s to a better, brighter and bolder 2010 for everyone!