New year's resolutions

summerlady_2

I have joined a savings challenge for 2016, so I need to think about how to achieve my aim to save 10% of my income.


I'll report back when I have some achievable resolutions - I am planning to use many of the ideas already posted here.

maman

downshifted wrote: »

Not particularly mse but I am going to write to my MP every time I shout at the Today programme. It happened again this week with the news that Police Crime Commisioners are going to be given controls over the Fire Service. I'm in Kent and our Commissioner is the idiotic, incompetent and infamous Anne Barnes. The general public show their contempt for these roles by refusing to turn out to vote for them but here are the Government giving tnem more powers. I've decided it's no use just telling my husband and the radio what I think... I'm going to be one of those batty old women who write to their MP!

I know exactly how you feel. DH has been doing that lately but in our experience all you get back is the party line on whatever subject you raise. I think the sooner we have some form of PR the better in this country as unless you share the political persuasion of your MP you'll be wasting your time although it'll perhaps make you fell better and s/he might come to realise that not everyone agrees with government policy.

FunBrum

Ok, here I go....

1. Decorate and turn my spare room into a craft room.
2. Turn my front garden into a permeculture garden. (Think that's how you spell it)!
3, Apart from bills, have a fiscal fast for 6 months!
4, Make, 're-cycle, up-cycle, make do and mend everything I need, including gifts.
5, Cut back on utilities as much as possible.

I'm sure I will think of a few more gems....

[Deleted User]

downshifted I know what you mean and Ann Barnes is a useless Police Commissioner and her ideas have been so far pretty ludicrous to say the least.I too live in Kent and hate to think of how much money has been wasted on this batty old woman So go for it, and write in,you never know you may get a reply My local MP turns out when and if he feels like it which isn't very often .Politicians only appear when they want a vote after that they vanish like snow on a warm day to count their loot
I have very little faith in any politicians in my area at all.

summerlady_2

I love the idea of challenges rather than resolutions.


Mine are
1. To increase my earnings by working on my business. If I haven't done this by June, I will cut my losses and get a job.
2. To save at least 10% of my income.
3. To cut out all food waste.
4. To lose and keep off my excess weight. I will improve my diet and do more exercise, in particular by walking more.
5. To use my craft materials before buying more, and to stop buying books, DVDs etc that I can borrow from friends and the library (we already have a swap club to a certain extent)
6. To get out more, visiting places of interest.
7. To clear my house and redecorate.
8. To make some good habits, such as being more organised.
9. To stop saying yes to people who say they want me to help them and then dump the whole situation on me.
10. To stop worrying and to be more mindful.


This seems to be a lot, but as they are challenges rather than New Year Resolutions I will stagger the start dates.

ancientmum

My challenge for this year is to buy my own place after renting for three years since separating from my husband.

aniceglassofred

I paid off my debts earlier in November so 2016 will be a year of saving :j

I've already written up a new budget so I guess my resolution will be sticking to it. It's quite a detailed one and includes saving for birthdays, Christmas, emergencies and so on, so I'm hoping it's doable.

May also try to take an online course that may help with my career. The course is much cheaper than I expected and may give myself a little confident boost. Not sure if that's a resolution really, just an idea.

One of my aims is to check the forums more often for ideas on saving money. Thought it might give me the support and willpower to save and to really think about money.

[Deleted User]

JackieO wrote: »

I have a plastic bit of junk that I haven't a clue what it does it looks like a spoon with the wide handle and the spoon bit is round and its shaped with a hinge like a pair of nut crackers God know what it does but its nestling in the bag to go to the chazzer tomorrow :):)

Discovered that it was a 'squeegy' gadget for squeezing tea bags,Haven't used it ,didn't miss it and its gone to the land of Chazzer to be bought by someone hopefully who might

Ches

To keep to my budget.
To spend less in the charity shop remembering it isn't a bargain if you don't need it.
To spend less on clothes that I have plenty of and instead try to glam up the body.
To try to get to bed before midnight and get up by 8am
To remember it is OH who is mostly housebound and not me. I don't have to sit and watch him watch TV I can get around on foot and bus.

dandy-candy

1) About ten years ago I used to plan our weeks meals ahead and it was brilliant. I don't know how or why I got out of the habit but I would like to start it again.

2) To make more effort over my appearance. Everyday I pull on my jeans and any old sweat top, and never do my make up. The last two days I have put on a dress and make up, and I FEEL different. I want to smarten up a bit more. My mother was always immaculately dressed and I by comparison am rather a slob. My DD is a bit of a sloppy dresser too so I would like to be more feminine and hopefully inspire her also.

3) Really make an effort to eat better. I don't mean diet to lose weight (although I hope to lose a bit!) but I must improve the quality of what I eat - less sugar, switch to wholemeal, more salads and less ready meals etc.