3 Things You Should Not Procrastinate On For 2013

The statistics surrounding New Year's resolutions are pretty grim. The majority of American adults who resolve to lose weight or get their tax returns filed ASAP understand they'll probably miss the mark on the goal. Set reasonable goals for yourself. Instead of trying to lose 30 pounds fast, think about building a healthy lifestyle and making sure you don't miss out on earned income credit.

1. Continuing Education

It's no secret that furthering your education can pay big dividends over time. Students who study an on-demand field like engineering, IT, or business can see a high return on their tuition dollars. If you've been considering heading back to school, there could be significant incentive in starting to work on your applications for admissions and financial aid. If you qualify for federal student aid or loans, fill out the application as soon as possible. The Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is available January 1st for the school year that begins in September. Many colleges award aid on a first-come, first-serve basis.

2. Building a Healthy Lifestyle

It's a cliché that come January, many of us make good on our New Year's resolution to tone up or shed a few pounds with some serious crash dieting and a new gym membership. By the time February rolls around, the plans are out the window. According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) these crash or fad diets tend to ultimately fail. Losing weight is more about building healthy habits you can sustain over time and developing a lifestyle centered around regular exercise. Find athletic or fitness activities you can enjoy and won't want to abandon after a few weeks, such as tennis lessons, golf or kickboxing. With each passing year, you'll be glad you've developed a lifestyle of healthy living you can sustain over time.

3. Taxes

While the deadline for filing your taxes doesn't come until mid-April, experts recommend that you get started as soon as you receive your W-2 form from your employer in January. There could be more financial incentive than you realize: if you find that you actually owe, you'll have more time to set aside funds to pay off the debt without penalties. Even more importantly, if you're planning on filing your own return, you could benefit from the extra time to look over the forms and ensure you're not missing out on any big tax deductions. If you work full time and earn low to median wages, you could be eligible for earned income credit. According to the IRS, earned income credit (EIC) reduces the amount of tax you owe and increases your eligibility for a refund.

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Patrick Whalen is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites. Follow him @2patwhalen.