New Years Resolutions You Can Keep
The holidays are behind us, but the few extra pounds are hanging around to remind us of our overindulgence. It is time to reflect on our not-so-good habits that we have shown over the past year and to resolve to make changes.
While committing to making drastic changes to your eating habits is a popular resolution, it usually lasts no more than a couple of weeks. It’s about taking small steps to establish a life-long lifestyle change. Here are some great ways to start the New Year off right:
Choose a hobby
According to an article in the International Herald Tribune, when you do things that make you feel good, like a hobby, an area of the brain called the nucleus accumbens is activated, which controls how we feel about life. The activities you enjoy also stimulate an area of the brain that makes you feel happy. Do you think hobbies are a waste of time? Think again! Hobbies can enhance your creativity, help you think more clearly, and sharpen your focus.
So if you were thinking of playing guitar, go for it! Now, start a basketball league with your friends. You will get your boy to fix the time and you will be able to vent, giving you more energy to face the world with your best foot forward.
Save more money
There are plenty of easy ways to save money that really add up, from a savings account that automatically transfers money from every paycheck to booking a cheaper ride to being more strategic about where to go to happy hour.
But according to financial planning experts, the first step toward financial freedom is understanding your financial reality – how much you make, how much it costs to live, and what discretionary income you have to play on. Use your bank’s online expense reporting feature to keep track of daily expenses and make adjustments when you spot bad patterns. If you smoke, quitting is not only good for your health, it will save you about $ 1,800 a year.
Driving less is another great way to save money. Carpooling, using public transportation, and biking / walking go beyond being environmentally conscious, it can save you hundreds of dollars a year on gas, vehicle maintenance, and parking fees. Buying used vehicles and furniture on consignment is another smart way to save money, both in the initial part of the acquisition costs and in the resale value.
Go through your closets, garage and basement and hold a garage sale, or place ads on Craigslist and take unwanted clothing to a consignment or Goodwill store for a tax write-off. And the easiest tip of all is to stop spending so much money! Simply have your bank automatically withdraw a specified percentage amount from each paycheck; When you have less to work, you will naturally control your expenses.
Start a retirement fund
It is never too early to start planning for retirement. Think about this: a 25-year-old man can invest $ 2,000 a year for eight years without investing an additional dollar after age 33 will earn more at age 65 than a 34-year-old who invests $ 2,000 a year for 32 years. . One of the best retirement plan options available is your employer’s 401 (k) plan. You make pre-tax contributions, reducing your taxable income, while earnings increase tax-deferred until retirement. In most cases, employers will match a portion of your contribution. If your employer offers a 401 (k) it’s silly not to participate, it’s like leaving money on the table … and walking away.
Another option for saving for retirement is the IRA (Individual Retirement Account). A traditional IRA allows pre-tax contributions to grow tax-deferred, which means you don’t pay taxes until you withdraw the money, so the amount you would have paid in taxes generates income from the time you contribute it until you pay it. withdraw.
If your employer does not offer a retirement plan or if you are self-employed, a SIMPLE-IRA, a 401 (k) for self-employed, or KEOGH are options for sole proprietors and self-employed.
Make a smart investment
Investing is not just about stocks and bonds. Investing in a collection of art, vintage cars, or watches is also considered an investment. If you have a passion, why not add a smart collection to your net worth? Not sure how to invest in art? You can subscribe to art publications, attend exhibitions, and feel comfortable with a trusted art consultant. For more tips, see AskMen.com’s article on buying art.
With the real estate market in its current state, now is a great time to buy that investment property you’ve been thinking about. According to an article published by Forbes, the best US markets for a good real estate deal include:
1. Fort Worth, Texas
2. Kansas City, MO
3. Houston, TX
4. Cleveland, OH
5. Denver, CO
6. Long Island, New York
7. Washington, DC
8. Orlando, FL
9. Phoenix, AZ
10. Las Vegas, NV
Eat more whole foods
Convenient foods have monopolized the food industry and for good reason: They are convenient and generally cheaper too. Most of us are on the go and don’t have the time to cook a homemade breakfast or make spaghetti sauce from scratch, let alone search for a nutritious and healthy lunch during our hectic days.
So what are processed foods? It’s pretty simple: Processed foods have been altered from their natural state for convenience, prolonging shelf life or safety. The methods used to process food include canning, freezing, refrigeration, dehydration, and aseptic processing. With all the fuss about healthy eating, it’s hard to know what is good for us and what is bad. While certain processed foods are, in fact, unhealthy, they are not all bad for us, so I’m not saying we launch a total boycott of all things prepackaged and processed.
Milk is technically a processed food product because it is pasteurized to kill bacteria and homogenized to prevent fats from separating. Instead of stressing over what you shouldn’t eat, try loading your refrigerator with healthy whole-food snacks and packing a lunch of vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Opt for fresh soups and veggie wraps from restaurants, and save the onion rings and sodas for your cheat day.
Do more for others
Most of us wish we had more time to spend giving back to the community. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to waste time delivering food or caring for a child. If you have time, more power to you. If not, there are other ways you can do your part to help those less fortunate.
Donate unwanted household items, non-perishable foods, and clothing to local charities or families that you know might use them. Donating money or sponsoring a child in need is a great way to give back when you don’t have time to spare. A growing trend is shopping especially with retailers who donate to charities. You can buy the products you would normally buy and still do something nice for someone else.
Sleep better
Sleep is an area many of us skimp on, and it’s no wonder. With our 24-hour society and increasing demands to balance work and family life, how can anyone sleep? Compounding the problem is noise pollution and a dozen other factors detrimental to sleep.
According to the Sleep Foundation, nearly 40 million American men and women suffer from sleep disorders. Lack of sleep does not get much attention, but it is the cause of many illnesses and accidents, not to mention a bad mood and dull skin tones.
Start the new year well. Go to bed early enough so that you can wake up naturally without the help of an alarm clock and cut out the caffeine after 5pm or earlier if you can. Also, skip the cup; it is more likely to disrupt your sleep than it will help you get a good night’s sleep.
Spend more time with the family
Life is short, why not spend more time with family in your life? If you don’t have a partner or children, call your parents, siblings, or cousins. Maintaining ties with those who knew you a long time ago is cathartic and keeps you grounded. Why is it worth working if we can’t spend it with the people we love?
Go green
You are hearing it everywhere. Green is in! Even if you’re not a bona fide tree hugger, going green helps your bank account just as much as the “global warming” crisis (actually, probably more).
Green your car: check air pressure and air filter, remove bike racks and any extra gear or “stuff” you carry in the trunk; This will help with fuel efficiency. Of course, leaving the car in the garage also helps. Car sharing and using public transportation reduce vehicle emissions.
Green your home: Install water-saving shower heads and aerators, turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth, and switch to energy-efficient appliances. If you have a garden, collect rainwater to water the plants.
That your New Years Resolution?