2008 Resolutions

I've never been really big on New Year's resolutions.  In fact, I just went back in my archives to see if I even made resolutions last year.  Answer: I did not.  Actually I said almost exactly what I just said: I don't really do New Year's resolutions.

It's not because I feel like they're depressing and I'm just setting myself up for failure.  I'm a big believer in goals and I often set short distance goals for myself throughout the year--NaBloPoMo was a big one, as was my weight loss/fitness challenge over the summer.  I've never really been able to think of any big year-long resolutions that needed planning out and starting afresh at the beginning of a calendar year.

But for some reason, this year is different.  There are things that I would very much like to do this year that I think could really have a very large impact on my own life and the lives of others around me.  So, without further preamble, here are my resolutions for 2008 and my plan of attack for achieving them.

1)  Remember to send cards for birthdays/anniversaries in a timely manner (within one week of the appropriate date).

I love to get mail, don't you?  I mean, mail other than the seemingly endless supply of Val-Pak coupons, Safeway fliers, JCrew catalogs, and bills.  I particularly love receiving pretty cards in the mail for my birthday.  I assume the rest of the world enjoys that same occasion of opening an envelope and finding a brightly colored, oftentimes sparkly card just for them.  So, of course, I always feel terrible when I realize two months after the fact that I completely forgot to send a card to mark the milestone event that has taken place in the life of someone I love in any special way.  I feel that this makes me, if not a rotten friend or family member, at least a rather thoughtless one.  And I don't want to be thoughtless.  But I am ready to admit that I need help.  My brain is no longer the steel trap that once it was, and it's time to make use of little reminders that could help me be successful in this resolution.

A couple of years ago, my mom got me a great little card organizer box with a bunch of dividers in it that say things like "Birthday", "Engagement", "Wedding", "Illness", etc.  So, over my next few trips to the grocery store, I'm planning to stock up on a bunch of cute cards to keep on hand, filed for their various occasions, focusing mainly on birthdays and anniversaries since those seem to be the most frequent events.  I ordered this perpetual calendar to keep all of the dates in one place, and I think I'll hang it on the wall near the pantry, since I seem to spend a lot of my time there.  It just occurred to me that I can also buy a few gift cards to keep in the box as well and then I can just stick those in the cards of the friends and family with whom I exchange gifts.

This probably seems like a fairly minor and ridiculously easy goal to successfully accomplish, but I'm notoriously terrible about correspondence, so to me it's a very important habit to create.

2) Limit all clothing/beauty product purchases and work lunches to $300 a month.

Colby and I are planning to combine finances in the next month or so, and quite frankly it's something that I'm very nervous about.  I'm a bit... lax when it comes to my financial awareness and budgeting, whereas it seems that for the past couple of years Colby has squirreled away every extra penny.  And that's great.  I mean, my left hand ring finger and I really appreciate it, just as I appreciate the roof over my head and bills that are paid each month on a regular basis.  But it's time for me to grow up, stop just appreciating it, and actually contribute something other than a constant parade of fabulous shoes to our household.

I settled on the amount of $300 because I'm expecting this amount to cover everything from a sandwich from Quizno's, to getting my hair done, to a new pair of jeans, to my Proactiv deliveries.  If I can keep it well below $300, even better.  Honestly, there's no reason that I should be spending more than that each month, but I blame a lot of it on the boredom relieving qualities of online shopping.  That $10 shirt from Old Navy may seem like a really great deal, but when you combine it with six other great deals, it's alarming how quickly the deals start to add up.

I always keep a notebook in my purse, so I'm just going to start keeping track of my purchases every time I make them by writing down what I bought and how much it cost.  Once I hit $300, I'm done.  It doesn't matter how much I'm lusting over a pair of shoes or how much I need a new bottle of shampoo.  I already have a zillion pairs of shoes in my closet that can tide me over to the next month, and there are plenty of bottles of "back up" shampoo in my bathroom cabinet.

Not only will this go a long way to helping me save money, but I think it will be a great exercise for me in prioritizing.  For example, this month I'm getting my hair cut and colored, so maybe I'll be able to buy a bottle of foundation and a couple of hot chocolates at Starbucks, but that's it for the month.  Then, if I still really need a new pair of tights or a new sweater, I can reassess in February.

I'm very interested to see how much my level of spending changes when I'm keeping a closer eye on it than when I'm just randomly buying every good deal I come across.  After reviewing past credit card statements, I really do think this is a very attainable goal with just a little bit of restraint and a teensy bit of deprivation.

Of course, I'm still working out whether I want to hold myself to this resolution in April while we're in Italy.  I really had my heart set on some beautiful Italian leather goods, so maybe I could file some of those purchases under "honeymoon spending"!

Comments

[Lisa]

Those seem like pretty reasonable resolutions. I've considered making some, but really, I'd just be happy if I made it through the year unscathed. Hmm. Is hitting the gym three times a week attainable? Hee. Happy new year!!!

[sophie]

Those sound like very grown up resolutions, and the fact that you have plans on how to actually do them makes it sound like they will work! I missed you on you hiatus. Glad you are back!

[Michelle & the City]

i agree! i think the honeymoon spending is a completely different category ;)

[Girl, Dislocated]

Italy spending totally deserves its own category--it's not like you go there every weekend or something!

And thanks for the inspiration, #2 doesn't sound so difficult when you put it that way!

[La]

I am super impressed with your resolutions! Mine mostly involve "getting out of bed every day" and taking it from there.

:)

[Fraulein N]

I commend you for your very grown-up goals, but I agree that Italy definitely counts as "honeymoon spending." That's a special event, yes? Special event, special budget.

[TasterSpoon]

Hey! You're doing Proactiv? I watched about twenty minutes of those commercials over the holiday and was *thisclose* to picking up the phone. (Revelation: I didn't know P. Diddy had bad skin!) But I decided I needed to find a real person who'd tried it, rather than trust a celebrity endorser. (I'm so cynical!) What do you think of it? My favorite endorser was that random Asian girl who was like, I ran out of the house forgetting to put on makeup...and for once, it was just fine!

[TasterSpoon]

Oh, and everybody knows that travel exempts you from all resolutions. In my 100 purchase limit for 2008, I'm not counting anything bought on my trip to Thailand.

[Becky]

Yeah, I'd be happy if I was your left-hand finger as well -- you have a beautiful setting!

You're so right in how quickly the personal expenses for women add up, from hair cuts/color to waxing brows to dry cleaning to make-up and face stuff. I think I can do the $300 as long as it doesn't include a hair color. the hard part for me is when other peoples' events start costing me money (like three birthdays in two weeks when people want to go out) or when the dogs need stuff.

I like the idea of your cards b/c you're right in that they really dwindle down each year and now all we get are bills and junk! It was nice getting Xmas cards this month.

[Kate]

I love the birthday card resolution, I am so very bad at remembering those sorts of things.

OhOh I have an idea! Every dollar you don't use from your $300 goes to an Italy account! It might help you keep to your budget and give you more for your honeymoon!