vb.net - A good way to loop and sort on several criteria -

i working on project have medium sized list (with anywhere between 10 , 30 items) iterating through. there large list of criteria used sort list. in simple terms, have 5 categories, each of 2 counters tick based off status of item. simple me do, either switch/case or more basic if/elseif. makes problem more difficult, , in opinion worthy of outside input, each item has date attached it, , 3 items per month should counted.

my approach set counter each month, , start ignore items fall within month, sure there smarter , fancier way , additional experience wonderful insight.

here code show doing now:

for each item in list     if item.category = category1         if item.status = status1             category1status1 = +1         else             category1status2 = +1         end if      elseif item.category = category2         if item.status = status1             category2status1 = +1         else             category2status2 = +1         end if      elseif item.category = category3         if item.status = status1             category3status1 = +1         else             category3status2 = +1         end if      ''more of looping      end if next 

edit : perhaps helpful note can access date of item via item.date