21 ways to winterize your life -- Page 2
By Dana Dratch • Bankrate.com

10. Look at the tires. Depending on where you live, winter means snow and ice or sometimes just a lot of rain. In any event, you need tires with a good amount of tread so that you have traction.

"A worn-out tire where the grip is very thin is not going to work as well," says Cerullo. And check the pressure while you're at it. Tire pressure changes as the temperature drops. Just because it was right in July doesn't mean it's still good, says Cerullo. Match it against the recommendation on the inside of your car doorjamb or the auto owner's manual. "Never go by what's printed on the tire," he says.

11. Re-evaluate your wiper blades. Make sure they're in good shape. And if you live in an area prone to ice and rain, you might want to consider winter wiper blades. They feature a "special blade wrapped in rubber film that keeps leakage from freezing," Cerullo says. They are about the same price as regular blades, he says. "A lot of people leave them on [all year] and they work fine." And while you're at it, make sure that you have wiper fluid that will withstand the cold temperatures you'll encounter.

12. Assemble a cold-weather car kit. This is especially important if you drive cold, lonely roads or areas prone to snow and ice, says Cerullo. Include a coat (in case you have to walk), blankets, nonperishable food (put it in a coffee can or lunch box), water, candles with matches and -- most importantly -- a working cell phone to call for help.

Your finances

13. Check your home insurance. For cold-weather homeowners, winter is a season that can bring damage from snow and ice, says Chris Farrell, author of "Right on the Money! Taking Control of Your Personal Finances."

"So it's really a good time of year to look at your homeowner's policy."

14. Get your credit reports. The time to do this is before you start your holiday spending, says Ryan Sjoblad, public relations manager for MyFico.com.

In addition, correcting any errors can raise your scores, which means you pay less for credit.

15. Make your 529 contributions. "If your state offers tax deductions for 529 plans, and many do, the contribution must be made by Dec. 31," says Timothy Hayes, president of Landmark Financial Advisory Services LLC.

16. Reapply for college financial aid. Depending on where your child is going to school, deadlines can run from late winter to early spring, says Farrell. But many colleges have their own earlier deadlines, so it pays to do it now, he says.

17. Think about your investments. This is the time of year that investments, like mutual funds, make distributions. And some of those can have tax consequences, says Hayes. You can usually find out if there's a distribution, and how much it will be, by going to the fund company's Web site, he says. And then you can plan to hold 'em or fold 'em, depending on what makes the most sense for you.

18. Shop your vacation. Whether you have a craving for a sunny climate or are suffering from "cabin fever," planning a long getaway is a good antidote, says Farrell. Not only do you give yourself time to find the best buys, but you can cure that winter claustrophobia at the same time.

Your health

It's cold and flu season, not to mention the time of year when we all get to enjoy the least amount of daylight and spend a lot of time indoors. So try to winterize yourself, too.

19. Get real. "It's easy to get sucked into the TV fantasy ads and what the holiday 'should' be, and how you 'should' celebrate," says Mark Gorkin, author of "Practice Safe Stress: Healing and Laughing in the Face of Stress, Burnout & Depression." Instead, be realistic. Admit to yourself that no one can do it all. And the holiday visit might not be the best time to try and change a relative "who hasn't changed in 30 years," he says.

20. Reach for healthy comfort foods. For instance, warm cereal in the morning. "Warmer feels a little more substantive, a little more soothing," Gorkin says.

21. Make time and find a place to exercise. It will fight depression and help you out if you want to indulge in some of your holiday food favorites. Gorkin recommends going right after work, if you can. Not only do you boost the helpful chemicals in your body with vigorous exercise, but you get to soak up what light there is. If you're a tennis bug, this might be when you pay for a monthly gym membership and move the game inside. Says Gorkin, "You don't have to go into hibernation."

Dana Dratch is a freelance writer based in Atlanta.