Making Financial New Year's Resolutions

For a recent story on how to make New Year's resolutions that you'll actually keep, I discovered that the main trick is simple: Tell everyone you know what your goal is. That way, it not only forces you to be specific about what it is, but you also have the extra motivation that comes from knowing other people are expecting you to reach this goal. If it's paying off debt, then your sister might ask you about it each time you talk. If it's saving $10,000 by the end of the year, then your mom asking if you're halfway there in June might just help you get there.

So, in the spirit of making our resolutions come true, let's talk about what they are. Here are a few of mine:

• Finally replace my grad school-era futon with a grown-up looking couch. I haven't yet been able to stomach making the splurge but I'd really like to this year.

• Bring in lunch at least three times a week to cut down on food costs.

• Save money towards a future down-payment and consider buying a house. (This was my resolution last year, too -- there's nothing wrong with trying again.)

For more inspiration, check out these posts from my fellow bloggers: Feminist Finance on how to set goals when so much is uncertain; Simple Mom on the joys of list-making, and Money Under 30 on some easy-to-implement ideas.

What are your financial New Year's Resolutions?

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