New year Old Style resolutions...

Peartree

I was with a friend today and we were talking about resolutions. She had loads of the get healthier, see friends more often, get more organised variety. She's a single parent with a really responsible job, her mum has dementia and she's studying part time. I could have cried really - why put herself under so much additional pressure? Anyway, mine was 'I'm going to use more vinegar'.

I've spent so many years making lists of resolutions and then felt bad when I didn't keep them. Life's difficult enough without setting yourself up to feel bad so I'm not going to bother. I'll resolve week to week, aiming at some rough objectives, depending on the circumstances life throws at me.

So, this week, having got a book about the uses of vinegar (plus suggestions on this forum and having purchased a large demijohn of white vinegar from Makro and a bottle of organic cider vinegar) I'm doing that. Going back to work after Xmas, the miserable weather in January and February - that's a hill to climb - bad time for resolutions! Maybe my resolution is to do little resolutions every week and maybe some of them will stick. Please don't be so hard on yourselves - baby steps everyone!

Broomstick

Hiya - mine are:
- to try to do all my spending with cash (ie I've planned ahead and budgeted for it in the money taken out of the bank that week) or cheques if absolutely necessary but no debit card use (I've not used a credit card for thirty years!);
- to complete the £365 saved in 365 day challenge;
- to keep my clothes spending under £50 which should be doable but will probably mean more mending since I've bought almost nothing in 2009 too, and clothes-making with wool and fabric that I already possess;
- to be ferocious about switching off electricity that is not needed;
- to ensure that we throw no food away.
... I think a 'no waste' theme is emerging.:rolleyes:

B x

NualaBuala

lizzyshep wrote: »

13. Make sure I have at least half an hour 'quiet time' every evening - TV off, read a good book, relax. The time will also be spent doing things like keeping a journal, thinking about the things that are good in my life, focusing on the positive and enjoying the simple things in life. I also want to avoid the messages given by advertising and the media, as these breed discontent and make us want things we hadn't even considered before.

I really like this one Lizzy and you make a good point at all advertising we are bombarded with. I haven't made a list but this one would be on it if I did.

I'm also not buying any more soap and shower gel - think I've enough to see me through the year. And in general I want to waste as little as possible.

beemuzed

Mine include:
Daily Quiet time first thing
Not leaving things until the last minute (very bad habit of a lifetime here!)
Weekly planning session
Getting best value for money
Using 15minute principle to get things underway - a little done = better than nothing!
Losing 1-2lbs of excess wieght each week ( smaller portions, sensible eating, more exercise)

Could think of loads more, but will be happy to try to achieve the above!
Good Luck, Everyone!

WelshWoofer

Hi,
I have a few promises to myself (not resolutions!)...

• Go swimming at least once if not twice a week (its only £1 with my SU card so money isn't really an excuse)
• Keep to a no drinking month for January
• Stick to Grocery Challenge
• Stick to budget for each month - it will vary but I will try to stick within the realistic limits I have set myself
• Keep a spending diary
• Get my PGCE - half way there so just have to stick it out!
• Get a teaching job (gave up a very well paid job in commerce to retrain as a science teacher at the grand old age of 37)
• Lose 7-10lbs - this is do-able and will mean I'm a comfortable size 10 again - of course I'd like to lose about 20lbs but it won't stay off and even though I'll be thin I won't be able to maintain it so for once in my life I'm being realistic

That's it for me - good luck to everyone else

frugallily

big big hugs to skipsmum. Baby steps. Health first.x x

~moneysavingnovice~

As the year is getting seriously close to it's end, I've been thinking about what my New Year's resolutions will be, OS style.

I will:
-minimise waste (food, clothes, money everything!)
-only have one bottle of plonk a week (should help with the GC!)
-keep track of all my spends and not take my eye off the ball/stop recording spends no matter how hard it is or what uncomfortable reading those spreadsheets make!

So, what will you guys be doing??

kippers

We have £1062 to somehow claw back in the next few months somehow...so starting from this payday (24/11) we are cutting back as much as poss on everything. 2011 will be the year we sort ourselves out for good!

lilmisskitkat

Great idea for a thread I remember posting on a similar thread last year.

Well 2011 for us will be bringing a new baby in Mar and hopefully a house move at some point so the belt definitely needs tightening, i confess it's become a little slack this year

1. Get back into meal planning and make the most of leftovers. I'd really like to reduce the amount of food we throw away, i used to be really good about it but got disorganised/lazy

2. Use the market more for fruit & veg rather than the supermarket, not so much for price but for nicer, fresher looking produce, some stuff in the supermarkets look so tired. Plus i love the hustle and bustle of the market.

3. Start taking cash out at the beginning of the week and when it's gone it's gone. I've got into the habit of using my card for bits and pieces and its easy to lose track of what i've spent.

There are more but i'll leave it at 3 for now as they are the main ones for me, if i try and do too much i'll fall at the first hurdle lol

Looking forward to reading everyone elses resolutions

Kate xxx

Fruball

I have just one OS resolution (I usually make NONE )

It is to have a separate food purse as I think this will make an ENORMOUS difference to what I spend in the supermarket. I am a disaster area for MrT and MrS - sometimes when I walk out with a trolley I can't even remember looking at how much the total was :eek: That is bad bad bad.

SO, a food purse each month and when its gone its gone. Still not sure what to budget but will work it out soon.