Every year around this time people reflect on the 365 days gone by and look forward to the 365 days that are looming in our future. It’s not a bad thing, but something that makes us both thoughtful and reflective. I believe in New Years resolutions and I believe that they come from a good place. This year I hope to be greener, read less gossip blogs, become more knowledgable about current events, read more books, save money and of course, lose 50 lbs.
I make resolutions every year but I tend to do it in a passive way. I’m more likely to be the person sipping champagne at a New Years party and casually mentioning to an aquaintance that I would like to lose 50bs this year. It’s not actually a serious resolution but more like a wish. Because of this flippant attitude towards resolutions, I tend to break them by 1a.m when I continue to pop pigs in a blanket in my mouth (hot dogs wrapped in dough= brilliant.) But this year I am taking my resolutions seriously. They say if you write something down, you are more likely to make it happen. So here I am, writing down my resolutions, and more so, I am writing down a plan for my resolutions. This year I will take action and follow through with my resolutions. Starting right now, I will explain my plan for my resolution to save money.
My first plan of action is a budget. Of course, I say this plan all the time. But I will seriously cut down on frivolous spending, impulse buys and consistantly make lists. I will not hit a super market without a list and a value card. I will not stop into a store just to browse, because we all know where that leads. I will not purchase anything without doing research on the item and price comparisons. To quote one of my favorite authors, Sophie Kinsella, “I will ask myself every step of the way: do I need this? Can I live without this?”
My second plan is a saving plan. Not just a savings account and money I have accumulated by sticking to my budget, but an actual place to put my money. A place where I cannot touch it and it will collect interest. I have already begun researching some of the CD (Certificates of Deposite) rates. For some a savings account is good enough, but I do not trust myself enough. If I put my money in a 1 or 2 year CD, I cannot touch that money without being penalized. It will create a little nest egg and earn interest, albeit a small amount, any little bit helps.
My final plan of action is to be smart. Free trumps all. Take advantage of free stuff. I will not scoff when my mother invites my boyfriend and I to dinner, it will save on the grocery bill. I will go to the Brooklyn Musuem on the first Saturday night of the month, it’s free admission and a nice date night. I will save my gift cards until I need them, there is no reason why I need to drop $15 at Starbucks right now because the gift card is burning a hole in my pocket and I will enjoy my home. I own it, I live here, I will make it an enjoyable place to live. Once in a while, it’s okay to go out and enjoy being social but it’s cheaper to enjoy movie night with a six pack on your own couch. I won’t use dumb words like “Staycation,” but I will just enjoy being a homebody during the winter. Worse things have happened.
So this is my plan. If I am dedicated enough to this blog, I might be able to go back in a year and see how I did. What are your New Years resolutions? What are your plans to make 2010 the year you get out of the red and into the green?
Whatever your plan is and whether you stick to you resolutions or not. I hope everyone has a happy and a healthy New Years! To anyone out there in internet land that might be passing by this blog. Enjoy!
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