There’s nothing like spring! I love the renewal of the season, warmer weather, blooming flowers and (yes) getting to spring clean. Why do I love spring cleaning?

• When completed, I feel I’ve accomplished something and that makes me feel good.
• It reduces my stress and gives me a sense of control over my life — a rarity in military life.
• I feel more at peace when I put things in order and in their proper place.

Here’s the thing, I don’t just clean the house and declutter (although keep in mind, you can actually earn some green spring cleaning); I also make a checklist to address those upcoming to-dos that involve money so I can get them out of the way and enjoy the best spring has to offer. Here are the things I tackle in early spring (hopefully, this helps you stay on top of things, too):

Prep for taxes

Taxes are inevitable … so I get ahead of them instead of procrastinating! Tax day is April 18 this year and I don’t want to leave my taxes to the last minute. I know, between deployments, PCS moves, combat pay and more, military life can make taxes tricky. But military families have access to free and reliable DoD MilTax software and support, to help save time and money. So, there’s really no excuse to delay. And to get your head in the tax prep mindset, gather all your tax documents coming in and review our year-end tax planning ideas. It’s a good idea to create a tax folder or use a shoebox to consolidate and set aside tax forms to make it easier when you sit down to get started.

Plan summer travel

I don’t wait to make plans for summer. Travel has picked up quite a bit since COVID restrictions lifted. Prices have also increased, so don’t dally and start ASAP to find the best deals. This spring I’m taking some extra time to research and plan a birthday trip for the summer that stays within my budget. The time spent upfront planning can really save money, especially if travel dates are flexible. Whether you’re planning a beach trip (see MilSpouse Karissa’s money-saving tips on planning a beach vacation), a national park that you can enjoy for free or another type of trip (see MilSpouse Beth’s tips), start now. As you plan, you’ll want to read our previous blog, Plan For Vacation So Debt Doesn’t Follow You Home. Or if you don’t like planning the details of a vacation yourself, consider using American Forces Travel.

Get ready for PCS season

Maybe your upcoming plans involve a PCS, which may be your summer travel. If that’s the case, read our Permanent Change of Station guide, which walks you through the financial aspects of a PCS. Our companion blog on how to create an effective PCS plan is a must-read. It comes with handy worksheets so you can estimate travel costs and financial planning for your upcoming PCS. I also find this Office of Financial Readiness checklist helpful for organizing finances during a PCS. Military OneSource can help you round out your PCS planning needs with checklists, tips and more.

Get plans for the kids locked in

If you have children, that may require you to make plans for spring break, summer activities, summer camps for the kids, and securing child care. When my kids were younger, the transition to summer was stressful from a financial perspective. I needed child care for about 10 weeks. I could lean on friends and family a little bit, but camps and summer activities are expensive! I also learned the hard way that camps fill up quickly, so I had to plan early in the year. To help you book your kids’ summer and reduce the stress and expense, consider a Defense Department summer camp, 4-H Military Partnership camps, Military Teen Adventure Camps, or your on-installation youth program.

So, in addition to dusting and decluttering, I suggest you also add these items to your spring-cleaning routine. Get them out of the way and go for a walk, bike ride or something else that puts a spring in your step!

Mandi Moynihan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who has been with MilSpouse Money Mission since its inception. She also served in the Army and is the spouse of a retired service member.

MilSpouse Money Mission® is a Department of Defense resource that offers FREE personal financial education specifically geared toward military spouses. There is a Money Ready guide for various stages of financial life, a MilLife Milestones section to help you through the big moments in your military journey, a blog, spouse videos, quizzes, calculators and more!