How Your New Year’s Resolution can become Your Holiday Bonus
With the start of the New Year comes the popular tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions. Popular resolutions include eating healthier and getting more exercise, but how about financially related ones?
Last semester I would go to the bagel shop on campus and get a smoothie or bagel, sometimes both. And while I was waiting for my order, I would make excuses for myself as to why it was ok that I was spending money I knew could have gone to better use. I didn’t realize how much I was spending on those seemingly simple “treats” for myself until I looked over my portfolio while do my online banking.
It turns out that in one month’s time period I had spent just over 18 percent of my money on dining out. I thought to myself that this information couldn’t be true, but while going through my bank statements I added it all up and I was spending an extra five to ten dollars per week on a simple bagel and smoothie!
So one of my top priority New Year’s Resolution is to diligently watch my finances, and not for a week or month, but to really stick with it all year long. If I avoid the bagel shop, at the end of the year I could have an extra $520 in my pocket to use towards groceries, school expenses or just to put towards building my savings account.
I feel that as consumers, we automatically think that when we get some extra money in our pockets that we need to go out and spend it immediately.
It’s not that treating ourselves is necessarily a bad thing; however, we need to bring back the concept of paying ourselves first. Instead of taking a trip to the bagel shop, maybe sit down and look over your savings account first. Is the amount really where you want it to be? And don’t forget to include your spouse in these evaluations as well.
In the end, keeping track of your bank summaries and seeing what can be cut out over the months could just end up being a winter bonus from yourself at the end of the year.
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A Few New Years Resolutions To Help You Out
Well, it’s that time of the year again. The end of 2009 approaches, and a new year will soon begin. If you’re anything like me, then you’ve probably made some pretty generic New Years wishes in the past like “I’ll try to be healthier” or “I won’t procrastinate anymore”. There’s nothing wrong with making those kinds of wishes- it’s just that we often let them slide when life throws us a curveball.
When you make a New Years resolution this year, try to change things up a bit. Instead of making a big and amazing resolution such as “I won’t procrastinate anymore”, say something like “I’ll finally take that special someone out”. Focus on something specific and positive instead of vague or negative qualities about yourself. Pay the bills as soon as you get them, take five minutes out of your day to sit down with your spouse or kids and connect with what’s going on in their lives. It’s like Robert Williams once said “Carpe Diem – seize the day!”
If you’re having trouble managing debt, medical issues, or some other crisis, then the ability to sieze the day is all the more important. Go out and see a free credit help agency like the people at debthelper.com about your debt! Find out whether or not you will qualify for some form of aid from the government through forms such as the FAFSA form for students and just try to do something productive; something along the lines of helping your roomates or spouse out around the house to share the burden or taking your child somewhere special for a day. Small things can make a giant difference.
It’s easy to make a sweeping resolution to try and deal with everything in your life, but don’t do it. Keep it simple and specific. Your New Years resolution could be just what you’ve needed to get you out of trouble. You can be the change in your own life. So go out and seize the day!
Have a Happy New Year!
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