The birds are singing and the flowers are in full bloom. Trees are getting their leaves back, and the kids are playing outside again.

It’s official: Spring is here.

Personally, I think spring is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your finances, from your savings account to your insurance policies. After all, the holidays are long gone (which means your spending is probably back to normal), and you’ve just filed your income taxes. It’s a great opportunity to sit down and take stock of your financial situation. From cutting down on expenses to taking the stress out of managing your money, spending an afternoon de-cluttering and simplifying your finances will make life a little easier.

Not sure where to start? Read on for my list of seven things you can do today to give your finances a sleek new look for spring:

1. Size up your spending. Sit down with your checkbook and find out where your money’s going and where you can cut corners. Whittle down your monthly expenses by cancelling subscriptions to magazines you don’t read, or ditching the costly gym membership. And don’t forget to look at things like your cable TV bill and your cell phone plan – if you’re paying for extras you don’t actually use, get rid of them. In today’s economy, we can all use a little extra cash – and trimming your monthly spending is a good place to start.

2. Go paperless. Nowadays, almost everyone – from your utility company to your cell phone provider – offers paperless billing. Of course, going paperless is good for the environment, but there are lots of other benefits to saying goodbye to traditional, paper bills. Not only will you save money on postage, but many companies offer automatic payment options or allow you to pay your bills online – you’ll never have to worry about late fees again. And, to make life even easier, check out my next tip . . .

3. Enroll in online bill pay. Another great way to simplify your monthly bills is to take advantage of your bank’s online bill pay feature. Instead of writing a check to, say, your electric company, then mailing it and waiting for the check to clear, online bill pay works in an instant. Your bill is paid sooner (usually within 24 hours), and your account balance is updated – all in one quick, easy step. Most banks offer this service free of charge, but it’s a good idea to check with your bank to get the details.

4. Sign up for overdraft protection. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to give yourself a little extra security in your bank account. After all, mistakes can happen – a transaction you forgot to deduct or a check you didn’t remember to write down – and even one tiny error can add up to a hefty bank fee for insufficient funds. If you’ve got a savings account, make sure it’s linked to your checking account with overdraft protection. Better safe than sorry.

5. Tackle your debt. Credit card debt can seem overwhelming, but there’s no time like the present to start whittling it down. Whether you owe a lot or a little, there are a few things you can do that will make a big difference. First, check up on your credit report – your credit score can have a huge impact on your interest rates, so make sure that everything on your credit report is accurate. If you find errors – dispute them. Next, shop around and compare interest rates – it might make sense to use a balance transfer to take advantage of another company’s lower interest rate (be sure to read the fine print and proceed with caution to avoid astronomical transfer fees or sky-high interest rates after the introductory period is over). And finally, make sure you’re paying more than your minimum balance every month – even a few dollars over can help knock your debt down faster.

6. Use your tax return wisely. If you’ve got a little extra coming back to you this year, it may be tempting to blow it on something frivolous like a vacation or a shopping spree. This year, do something smart with that extra cash: Start an emergency fund (if you don’t have one already). A good emergency fund should be enough to keep you afloat for three months, including mortgage payments, monthly bills, and food. If you already have a hefty emergency fund, consider using your tax return to pay down your credit card debt or take another bite out of your student loan or your car note.

7. Review your insurance policies. Sit down with all of your insurance policies – life, home, and auto – and check out exactly what you’re paying and how much coverage you have. After that, hop online and do some comparison shopping – most insurance companies will give you a free quote, and a little research may help you save hundreds of dollars a year.

Giving your finances a spring makeover pays for itself – it only takes about one afternoon, and just a few adjustments can add up to less financial stress and more cash in your pocket. Here’s to a happy, financially savvy spring!

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