NEW YORK, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- 1) Organize Your Files for the Year & Create an E-file Cabinet

Paper is the number one source of clutter in today's households, and couples constantly feel behind the eight ball with bills because they get stuck in a pile of catalogs and ads. The good news is that it truly takes no more than two hours to get your files organized for the year-and get rid of that clutter for good.

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All you need is your computer; an alphabetized accordion folder; labels that you can print out on Post-it sticky picture paper from TheNest.com/organizer; and a paper shredder. The cheat sheet to organizing your files, found on TheNest.com, says to get started with this list of must- save documents, and, unless it's a deed, will, your taxes or a title, only keep a year's worth on file.

Bills Records Electricity Bank statements Heating Investments (Replace quarterlies with a 2006 end-of-year statement) Gas Manuals Water Warrantees Home phone Receipts Cell phone Mortgage or lease papers Cable Service agreements Internet Car titles, loan agreements, maintenance records, and emissions tests Credit cards Health, homeowner's, life, and auto insurance Renovation and repairs Medical records Tax records (store six years' worth in banker boxes labeled by year)

Then, create an e-file cabinet. In about an hour, you can arrange it so that the majority of your bills are emailed to you. Keep your paper statements and your checkbook handy to speed up the process. Then, sign up for online banking-it's easy to pay your bill when you check your email (and save on stamps too!). Even with digital files, print out at least one month's paper copy of a utility bill (often required to prove residence) and download credit card and bank statements every month for your new organized paper files. And remember, shred when you toss!

2) Cook More (Weigh Less)

One of the millions who resolved to lose weight in 2007? Probably. Don't resort to crash diets or gym binges to shed those pounds-most likely, you'll be back next year up those same ten pounds all over again. Instead, take an evening to seek out five low-fat, high-taste, easy-to-make dinner recipes to add to your daily regimen (with one click, you can find 50 low-cal recipes on TheNest.com Recipe Search Engine). Then, write down all of the ingredients and keep those items stocked at all times so you can easily whip dinner up instead of dialing for take out or splurging on pizza.

3) Be A Better Friend

We're all busy, but taking the time out of your daily routine to remember someone's birthday can make up for a whole year of incommunicado. On January 2nd, sit down at your desk with a cup of Joe and send your friends a Happy New Year's email blast. In your PS, request a reply with their birthdate. Then, import those dates to the week-by-week personalized checklist tool on TheNest.com-the site will send you a reminder to get that card in the mail.

4) Donate 10 Items

Chances are, you've got a crock-pot, article of clothing, or an extra TV collecting dust in your closet or garage. It's time to let go. Find 10 items that you haven't used or worn in the last six months and donate them: put up a post on CraigsList.com, swap it on FreeCycle.com, sell it on Ebay.com, drop them off at your local Goodwill (find a center near you at Locator.Goodwill.org). Short on time? Find a site that will pick your stuff up for free like Donate-To-Charity.org.

5) Plan Your Vacation

Don't wait till the last minute to plan your big vacation for the year. Not only is it fun to plan your next getaway, it's practical. You'll get a leg up on your coworkers in blocking out your vacation week-and you'll look responsible to your boss for letting her know far enough in advance (by putting it off, you increase your chances that a big project will derail your getaway). Consult with your spouse and put in for your vacation time. Then, purchase airfare and book your hotel package before it's too late.

For more holiday etiquette pointers-from sending thank-you notes to exchanging gifts-and great last minute gift ideas for everyone in your family, log onto TheNest.com. To speak with an editor about holiday etiquette, interview real couples in your area, or obtain hi resolution photos of gifts and seasonal decor, contact The Nest Press Office at pr@thenest.com or 212.219.8555 x1020

About The Nest

The Nest (http://www.thenest.com/) is the first and only multimedia resource for newlyweds covering all aspects of young married life. Created by The Knot, Inc., makers of preeminent wedding resource The Knot, The Nest website attracts more than 1 million newlyweds a year looking for built-for-two advice, stylish ideas, interactive tools and resources for life's happily ever after: from relationships, to home decor and entertaining, to managing marital money matters and starting a family. The Nest produces a quarterly magazine with a controlled circulation of 400,000 newlywed readers, and in partnership with Clarkson Potter, publishes books dedicated to newlywed life including "The Nest Newlywed Handbook: An Owner's Manual for Modern Marriage" authored by cofounder and Editor in Chief Carley Roney. The Nest content is also syndicated on MSN.com and to newspapers nationwide through McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

CONTACT: The Nest Press Office, +1-212-219-8555 x1020, pr@thenest.com

Web site: http://www.theknot.com/