Five New Years Resolutions That Will Save You Money
Five New Years Resolutions That Will Save You Money
In less than a month, we’ll be ringing in the New Year. As usual, it’s time to try and come up with a resolution that you’ll actually be sticking to. But maybe instead of focusing on the difficulty of your self-imposed chosen challenge, you ought to instead set your sights on the money that could be saved by committing to a long-term life change. The following are five New Years resolutions that are likely to save you money as well as make you a better person:
Focus less on vanity: The monthly trip to the salon is an expensive habit over the course of a year – so is always making sure you’re dressed to kill. Make a promise to cut back on personal vanity within reason (keep buying deodorant) and watch significant savings accrue over time.
Limit credit card use: This one goes without saying – cutting back on your monthly charges will bring down your debt over time, reduce your interest rate, and help you be put back on top. In the immediate future it limits your available money, but only spending what you have is the first step in the right direction.
Dieting and exercising: If you can manage to do so without joining a gym, getting into shape through diet and exercise will also save you some serious cash. For one, the reduced food intake means less spent on fast food. But in addition, exercise further curbs your appetite thus reducing food spending even further.
Quitting smoking and drinking: Again, this one is a no-brainer. It costs roughly $5.00 on average for a pack of smokes in this country, and a six-pack is double. Cut these bad habits out of your life and you’ll be sure to reap the monetary benefits of such a healthy decision.
Quitting caffeine: Sure, skipping the cup of coffee is as much a money saver as saying goodbye to cigarettes. But more importantly than that, is the fact that high levels of caffeine are linked with high levels of stress. When stressed, what do you do? You tend to commit to further vices and other things that cost money in order to alleviate your anxiety.
With all the spending you’ll likely be doing in the next several weeks, you’ll be aching for a way to save money next year. Make it your New Years resolution to stop whatever bad habit costs you the most money. It will help make you both a better person, and a slightly richer one as well.
December 7th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
I couldn’t agree more with quitting smoking to save money. I think packs these days goes upwards into the $7-$9 range for most places across the country.
December 7th, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Dieting doesn’t mean you’re going to spend less money. Assuming people start eating better (as opposed to eating less), they’re going to spend their food budget on fruits, veggies and other real food as opposed to processed crap. Often, that ends up being more expensive.
I don’t know about you, but exercising often makes me hungrier, not less hungry. I eat better as a result of exercising, but I still need a midday snack.