Here are 6 resolutions that will help put your financial house in order. You don't have to do them all at once. Why not implement one every other month, along with shedding a pound or two, so by this time next year, you'll be in great fiscal and physical shape.

During 2010, I resolve to...

1) FIND MY MONEY.  When asked why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton said, "That's where the money is."  It's probably where yours is, too. Or at least some of it. In fact, you may have money and CDs in more than one bank, as well as in accounts with a mutual fund company and a brokerage firm or two. And don't forget about annuities, insurance policies, IRAs and other retirement accounts. According to a recent government study, thousands of workers actually forget about pension money left with a previous employer.

Make a list of all the institutions. For each, include the account number, total dollar value, contact name, virtual and e-mail addresses and telephone number.

Then, let someone in your family know what disk your list is on or if you have done it on paper, in which drawer it's stored. Then put one copy in your safe deposit box.

$TIP: If this resolution takes endless hours to complete, you probably have too many accounts. Consider consolidating some. Not only will it be easier for you to track them, you'll save on fees.

2) FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH MONEY I HAVE. Now that you've found your money, your next resolution should be to calculate your net worth. Aim to do this once a year and at the same time each year -- perhaps early in January or on your birthday or anniversary. Your net worth provides a benchmark against which you can not only measure your financial progress but also determine your annual financial goals.

It's not as complicated as you might think:

First, add up the current value of all your assets (house, other real estate, car, motorcycles, boat, bank and brokerage accounts, cash value of life insurance, IRA, 401(k), jewelry, antiques, collectibles, business equipment.)

Then, subtract your liabilities (mortgage, car and education loans, credit card and personal debt, etc.) 

Ideally, you will have a positive net worth, but if you owe more than you own, it's time to go on a budget. 

3) WRITE or REVIEW MY WILL. If you don't have a will, make certain you do by the end of 2010. You may not think you have much to leave to family and friends, but if you've completed Resolutions #1 and #2, you may be pleasantly surprised. And, whatever you do have, you want to be the one deciding who gets what, and not a state court.

Circumstances that should trigger updating an existing will include: buying or selling a house, having a baby, birth of a grandchild, getting married or divorced, coming into a financial windfall, health problems, or the death of a spouse or anyone named in your current will, setting up or selling your own business, a change in the estate laws.

4) VISIT MY SAFE DEPOSIT BOX. And, draw up a list of the contents. In many states, boxes are sealed when the owner dies, so be sure only a copy of your will, rather than the original, is in the box. In addition, make arrangements so that someone else in your family (or your lawyer) has the right to open the box in case you cannot.

5)  DO AN INVENTORY.  Blizzards, floods, hurricanes, windstorms and other disasters point out the importance of having an up-to-date list of household possessions, accompanied by snapshots or a video.

Set aside a weekend to take an inventory of what you own. Keep one copy of your inventory and pictures somewhere other than at home -- perhaps in your safe deposit box or at work. If you own collectibles, jewelry, antiques, silver or furs, have them appraised separately. Then, adjust your homeowner's or renter's insurance so that your belongings are insured for their replacement cost.

$TIP: The American Society of Appraisers (www.appraisers.org) will give you the name of a nearby qualified appraiser.

Be sure to look into flood insurance. More than 25% of all flood insurance claims come from areas not prone to flooding -- they come from hurricanes, high tides and other disasters than impact on inland areas. If you live near a coast, river, lake, creek, golf course pond or a low-lying area, you should get coverage.  For the name of a company that sells flood insurance (not all do), get in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at: 800-427-4661 or www.fema.gov.

6) ORDER THE "2010 CONSUMER ACTION HANDBOOK". Published by the U.S. Federal Consumer Information Center, it has more than 140 pages packed with the most helpful names, addresses, phone numbers, web sites and links to: corporations, national consumer organizations, Better Business Bureaus, trade associations, state consumer protection offices and Federal agencies. There's even a section on how to write an effective complaint letter.

The Handbook also has great advice on consumer issues, such as: avoiding telemarketing scams, protecting your money, recognizing phony credit card repair clinics, dealing with kids and credit cards, plus information on your rights when it comes to buying a car, getting insurance coverage, purchasing a home.

Best of all: it's free.

Note: The 2010 is not out yet...but will be shortly. When available you can get a copy by calling: 888-878-3256. Or, log on to: www.pueblo.gsa.gov and read it in a PDF format.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

- Nancy Dunnan