Editor’s note: We asked our resident money experts to share their financial resolutions for the year ahead. Here, the sixth in our series:

1. Refinance mortgage immediately.

2. No more escrow with my mortgage. I don't like the high amount that the bank wants me to pay into reserves. I don't think that my real estate taxes will rise that much.

3. Automatic payments from my checking account each month into savings for taxes.

4. I won't allow myself to get suckered into signing up for any Internet services that offer a free trial period.

5. I will try to read and understand fine print mail regarding taxes, monthly bills, and changes in investment company policy within three days of receiving them so that I can check out alarming information on a timely (in my own interest) schedule. —Janice Hogan, art director, Consumer Reports Money Adviser newsletter