Last Minute Resolutions

If you are anything like me, you are having a panic attack because the end of the year is quickly approaching and most of the New Year's Resolutions made back in January are lying in a ditch. The twenty pounds to lose turned into a net gain of five NEW pounds, the closets are not organized, nothing got "Kon Maried", and my gratitude journal hasn’t had an entry since January 10th. Relax...we can still get a few things done to make you feel like you have addressed some typical New Year's Resolutions.

Go on your retirement plan website and increase your contribution at least 1% more than you are doing now. Just those few dollars getting saved over your working life can really add up.

Cancel one monthly membership fee that you are not using. Music app, gym membership, movie streaming service. Admit it, you aren’t using it, Cancel and save some money.

Go through your social media connections and delete a few. You don't have to be friends with everyone and if someone is being stressful to you or you don't like their politics. Turn them off. Or at least stop following them (You still remain "friends" but you don't have to see every post they make). Reduces a lot of stress.

Fill up some bags with clothes and unwanted items. You don't have to clean the whole closet. Just set the timer for 15 minutes and run through the house with a bag and thrown unwanted items in it. You don't have to blog about them, or try and sell them on ebay. As the famous Disney movies says, "Let it go!" Just get a receipt from the charity for tax purposes.

I finally took my old coin collection and all the Bicentennial Quarters into a coin dealer. Do you know how much those Bicentennial Quarters are worth? $.25!!! We have dragged these quarters on our numerous house moves including across the country only to find out that they are good for a laundromat. I took them to the bank and deposited in our savings account.

And finally, get a cheap journal and start writing down what you are grateful for. Even if you don't do it every day or even if you do it for a short period of time, you will be amazed at all the things that you can be grateful for. We can get so caught up in our culture of consumerism, especially this time of year, it is helpful to sit back for ten minutes and reflect on everything we have. I know I am grateful for my amazing family, my awesome co-workers, fabulous friends, and the wonderful community that we live in. Enjoy the Holidays!