ThriftyFun News
Volume Nine, Number 1, January 5, 2007
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
This week we have some tips about setting resolutions for the New Year. I hope you find them useful. We will be making some changes to this newsletter in the near future. Look for a new format next week!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Susan
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Tips
New Year's Resolutions
This is a brainstorm for New Year's Resolutions. Here are some good ones:
I resolve to:
- Pay cash or use my debit card rather than a credit card. (If I don't have the money, I won't buy it until I have saved enough and only use the credit cards for emergencies.)
- Get rid of at least 1 item a day, donate it to charity.
- Pay a little extra on my mortgage and/or bills each month.
What are yours?
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New Year's Resolutions That Stick
By Maria Gracia
New Year's resolutions have a tendency to be made with enthusiasm and determination. Unfortunately, very often they're forgotten by the time February rolls around.
Here are 7 simple ways to make New Year's resolutions that stick and help you accomplish your goals.
1. THINK SHORT TERM. For most people, making a resolution for the entire year is way too difficult. Instead, make your resolutions once per month; January resolutions, February resolutions, etc. They're much easier to achieve and the accomplishments can be celebrated sooner. Plus, if you don't quite reach what you want to accomplish in any given month, you can simply move that resolution into the next month--no more feeling so guilty that you have to wait an entire year to start over again!
2. FOCUS ON A FEW. It's nearly impossible to do everything you've always wanted to do in a short period of time. To be sure you don't forget about the goals you'd like to accomplish, write them all down on a Master Goals List. Then, each month throughout the year, focus on the one or two that are most important to you. You won't get overwhelmed and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
3. MAKE YOUR RESOLUTIONS S-M-A-R-T:
- SPECIFIC: Your resolutions must be specific. For instance, saying that you'd like to spend more time with your kids in the new year is too general. However, saying that you vow to spend 1 hour of quality time with your kids each Friday and Wednesday, immediately following dinner, is very concrete and specific.
- MEASUREABLE: Resolutions that are worked on and achieved, are those that can be measured and tracked. When you think of making a resolution, think in terms of numbers. Perhaps you'd like to lose weight. Thinking in numbers, you might state that you'd like to lose 5 pounds--1 pound per month for the next 5 months. Or possibly you'd like to go on a short vacation. Thinking in numbers, you may state that you'd like to save $100 per month, so you can go on a bed and breakfast weekend in June.
- ATTAINABLE: You can certainly make challenging resolutions, but don't make them so difficult that they're going to be almost impossible to achieve. You can always break your resolution down into smaller goals. For instance, if you'd like to put aside $50 per month, make a resolution to set aside $12.50 per week.
- REALISTIC: You might want to be a pro golfer this year, but if you haven't even started training yet, then this resolution is going to be unrealistic and unattainable. Instead, set more realistic goals, such as taking a few basic golf lessons or playing golf once per week on Tuesdays for practice.
- TIMELY: The word 'someday' is indefinite. Yet, often people say they have so many things they'd like to accomplish ... someday. Resolutions with no start or end date in mind never get accomplished. Be sure all of your resolutions have both a deadline, and a starting date. For example, you might say you'd like to change your job. Your deadline might be March, 2001, and your start date might be next week--determining what you'd like to do, seeking available positions, etc.
4. TELL THE WORLD. It's so important to be motivated about the things you'd like to accomplish. When you make a resolution, tell your spouse or a friend. Post a message on a discussion forum. Tell a co-worker. You'll be more determined to accomplish your goal, if other people are cheering you on.
5. GIVE YOURSELF SOME VISUALS. If you're constantly staring your resolution in the face every day, you're bound to keep it uppermost in your mind. If you'd like to lose weight, keep a photo of an actress or actor you want to use as a model, on your refrigerator. Want to go on a vacation? Post a photograph of your dream destination where you're sure to see it throughout the day.
6. CONQUER MINOR SETBACKS. There are so many things going on in your daily life, and you may experience a day or two when you lose track of the resolutions you set. That's ok. Get right back on track. No need to wait until next year, or the 1st of next month. Simply make any day of the week DAY ONE, and begin working on your resolution again. Winston Churchill once said, in the shortest speech ever made, 'Never, never, never give up.' Heed his words of wisdom.
7. CELEBRATE YOUR WINS. Celebrating your accomplishments along the way will give you the motivation to keep going! Set appropriate rewards for each mini-resolution you make, and have a small celebration for each one you achieve. Let's say you'd like to put aside $10 per week in January. For every $10 you're able to save at the end of each week, you might indulge yourself in an hour's worth of free time to enjoy one of your hobbies. Reward yourself. You deserve it!
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!
Want to get organized? Get your FREE Get Organized Now! Idea-Pak, filled with tips and ideas to help you organize your home, your office and your life, at the Get Organized Now! Web site
http://www.getorganizednow.com
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New Year, New Plan
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh
It's a new year and resolutions abound. Why not try some simple resolutions that will affect our spending and saving?
Days Gone By
Resolutions are pointless if you don't make an effort to keep them. Most Americans break their resolutions before the end of January. Take some time to remember last year's resolutions. Did you accomplish them? If not, what was the fault in the resolution? If your resolution was to pay off your credit card bill of $5,000 and you didn't have a strong plan to put that money aside, the goal was never going to be attained whether it was $5 or $5,000.
Cutting Back
- One responsible resolution is to cut back on electric consumption. Not only will it lower your monthly bills, but it will help those around you. Light pollution, as well as other problems associated with electric consumption, is a growing concern. Do we really need the spotlight illuminating the exterior of the house? Won't a simple security light on a motion sensor work just as well? Make a resolution to eliminate excess electric use by turning out unneeded lights and clicking off appliances when they're not being used. Make a list of these key items and set a goal to lower the electric bill by $5 a month.
- Can you cut back on TV? Agree to cancel the higher tort cable package and live without the NFL network. It will lower your bill and give you more time for other tasks. After a few weeks you won't even know it's gone.
- Make a resolution to have family meals at the dinner table more often. This is an important factor in family relations, and it will save on eating out several times a week. Involve everyone in creating the weekly menu, and allow each person to be in charge of cooking for the evening. It gives a sense of ownership to the meal, a time to be together as a family, and a few extra dollars in the budget.
Focus Areas
- Create a plan to cut back $10 a week on groceries. Purchase in rotation to align with the stores' sales, only buy with coupons, or try bulk. Research the systems of others and try a few for yourself until you decide which works best. Keep in mind the ultimate goal as you alter your shopping habits.
- Cut down on fuel costs and pollution by organizing a carpool. This can help with the goal of reducing consumption and being on time! With other people relying on you to get them to work, you'll be more motivated to leave the snooze button alone and jump in the carpool lane.
- Make your goal a realization of your spending. Record all expenses and purchases for a month and evaluate what was necessary and what was frivolous. Each month alter something in your budget. By the end of the year you will have made twelve changes. Although your budget may not be perfect, you will be satisfied to know that you worked to eliminate a dozen problems!
Remain Grounded
Whatever resolutions you make, make them reasonable. Satisfaction is the ultimate goal, and while a perfect budget, weight, or personal life would be great, they're all unreasonable. Knowing that you tried something is a great satisfaction; there is nothing wrong with failure as long as you tried. Maybe grocery rotation doesn't work for you - at least you tried. That in itself is a resolution - to try something new.
About The Author:
Kelly Ann Butterbaugh is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to a variety of magazines and has written a history book for middle readers. Visit her website for writing help, lesson plans, history fun, or work for hire at http://www.kellybutterbaugh.com
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Resolve to Improve Your Finances in 2007
By James H. Dimmitt
Kick off 2007 with these 7 money resolutions and get a fresh financial start to the new year. At year's end, you'll be surprised at how much you've reduced your debt load and the money you've saved!
1. I will create and use a budget.
A budget helps you see exactly where your money is going from week to week and month to month. Creating and using a budget, no matter what your income level, will help you reach your financial goals more easily than without one.
2. I will use my budget to help reduce my credit card debts.
Let's say you are able to save $20 a month by budgeting your money. You could take that $20 and place it in a savings account where you would earn minimal interest. Or you could use that same $20 and add it to your budgeted credit card payment reducing your credit debt in two ways. You'll be reducing the amount you owe your creditor and you'll also reduce the finance charge on next month's bill.
3. I will pay more than the minimum due on my credit card bills.
If you just pay the minimum due on credit card bills, you'll barely cover the interest you owe. It will take you years to pay off your balance and you'll end up spending thousands of dollars more than the original amount you charged.
4. I will make my payments on time and avoid late fees.
Making late payments adds to your debt load and may increase the annual percentage rate (APR) your creditors charge you. Additionally, late payments are reported to the credit reporting agencies and negatively affect your credit rating.
5. I will not use my credit card at an ATM or a bank for a cash advance.
Cash advances on credit cards are assessed special fees and higher interest rates than what you pay for purchases made with your credit card. Creditors apply the majority of your monthly payment to your purchase debt rather than cash advance debt which increases the overall amount of interest you'll pay to your creditor.
6. I will spend my money sensibly.
Using your budget, you may find that you're spending a good chunk of your income on discretionary items: morning coffee and donut, a weekly magazine, fast food lunches, etc. Each purchase seems like a small amount of money at the time, maybe $3-5. But these small purchases add up quickly and amount to hundreds of dollars a year. Ask yourself if you really need these items and reduce your amount of discretionary spending. Use your savings to pay down credit card debt.
7. I will live within my means.
Are you an impulse buyer? Do you use your credit cards to supplement your income? Do you feel the need to have the latest fashions, cars, stereos, etc.? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are good that you are overspending. And overspending means more debt - debt that will keep you from achieving your financial goals.
By James H. Dimmitt
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