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If you’ve been in a sort-through-the-closet, declutter-the-pantry, or spruce-up-the-yard mode after the long winter, why not point some of that spring cleaning energy at your finances, too?

In fact, spring can be an optimal time for a financial reset because after wrapping up tax season, you may have some thoughts on what you want to do differently this year. April also happens to be Financial Literacy Month, when money mindfulness is in full bloom.

What’s the first step? There are many ways to clean your financial house, but sometimes standard advice doesn’t click like a fresh approach does. Here are five less conventional ways to harness your spring cleaning momentum.

1. See if your investments still “fit.” When spring hits, we’re dying to swap out winter clothes for shorts and tees, but first we have to try them on for size (honestly, the most humbling part of spring.) In the same vein, spring is a great time to review the asset allocations in your retirement or investment portfolio to make sure they still fit your risk tolerance and stage of life.

Let’s say you’re 35 and you subscribe to the 100 Rule, where you subtract your age from 100 to get the percentage of your portfolio that should be invested in stocks. But after all the recent volatility in the stock market, stocks make up 55% rather than 65% of your portfolio. To rebalance your portfolio, you’ll want to sell whatever you happen to be overweight on (e.g. bond funds) using one of these strategies.

2. Dust off your browser and shopping apps. Do you have your credit card info saved in your browser or Amazon app? Convenience is great, but if easy checkout enables overspending, it’s probably time to delete those settings. (In one recent survey, 48% of U.S. adults reported spending more when the checkout process was fast and easy.)

Instead, embrace the “friction-maxxing” trend, where you add small barriers so you’ll think twice before buying. Besides deleting saved payment methods, try leaving an item in your online shopping cart for a minimum of 24 hours. Even a short pause can help you realize you don’t actually need that third dutch oven for your sourdough.

3. Take stock of extra supplies. While you’re sorting through your cabinets, closets, and upper shelves, create a list of any forgotten items you find tucked away. Then “shop” from that extra stash so you don’t waste money on more of what you already have. Common household extras include:

•   Sunscreen, shampoo, toothpaste, soap, or pain relievers under the sink in your bathroom. (Just check their expiration date.)

•   Canned goods, spices, or pasta in the back of the pantry. Frozen vegetables forgotten in the freezer.

•   Printer paper, thank-you cards, sticky notes, or envelopes stashed away in your office.

•   Cleaning products, tennis balls, water filters, wrapping paper, or pet treats in your utility closet.

•   Batteries, charging cables, or Command strips masked in your junk drawer.

4. Scour around for found money. Audit any rewards programs, loyalty cards, or shopping apps in your wallet or phone. Whether you have unused credit card miles, store credits, gift cards, or promo codes, make a plan to redeem them before you forget about them — or they expire or lose value. (You can also regift or sell gift cards.)

While you’re at it, consider checking your state’s “unclaimed property” database or https://missingmoney.com/. It sounds far-fetched, but roughly 1 in 7 people have cash or property (e.g. forgotten security deposits, refunds, or paychecks) waiting to be claimed, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.

5. Free your freelance mind. If you’ve recently taken on a side gig, you may not be used to the additional paperwork required (or to juggling multiple gig-related apps.) To avoid the stress of falling behind, tap into a bookkeeping tool like Wave or QuickBooks to keep track of your extra income streams, expenses, and potential tax deductions. You may also want to open a separate bank account or credit card to keep your side job from getting tangled up with personal accounts. (You can compare options on SoFi’s Marketplace.)

Bonus tip: If you’re new to being a 1099 worker, consider funneling a portion of every paycheck into a savings account. Then you won’t have to scramble when your quarterly income tax payments are due.

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

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