“New year, new beginnings, new me.” If this sentence sounds familiar, you’ll probably see all your New Year’s resolutions suffering a tragic death, one by one, before even making it to spring. Making plans for the upcoming year is something we all do, but how do we actually manage to keep focused and motivated mid-year and accomplish everything we want by the time the clock hits the next first of January?
Instead of envisioning yourself getting on the cover of Forbes Magazine as the youngest billionaire (sorry, Kylie Jenner did that already three years ago) or traveling the world when you barely have enough money for a new passport, how about some real resolutions that you can keep?
1. Eat healthier
We live in a world where everything is on fast-forward, from relationships to eating and becoming “successful”. Unfortunately, we rarely make time for a home-cooked meal shared with our best friends or family members and, instead, settle for a quick sub before rushing to our next meeting.
You don’t have to be borderline obese to understand the consequences of unhealthy foods in the long term. So, how about making some changes that will positively impact your body and your self-esteem in the upcoming year?
Eating healthy doesn’t necessarily mean giving up all your guilty food pleasures or your sweet tooth. It simply means having more balanced meals and smaller portions. Instead of trying a new miraculous diet that will make you lose weight fast only to put it back on even faster, take the hard road and change your eating habits.
Avoid eating out more than a couple of times per week or on special occasions. Pass dessert and cocktails that contain high amounts of sugar. Ask for grilled meat instead of deep-fried, and skip the ranch or any other dressing. You won’t lose weight overnight but these easy tips will help you stick to your New Year’s resolution for many years from now on.
2. Save at least 15% of your monthly money
The golden rule of finance is 50-30-20, meaning 50% of your monthly wage goes for paying rent, bills, and utilities, 30% for groceries, essentials, and hobbies, while the rest of the 20% is saved or reinvested.
Although some months might require breaking your piggy bank and swapping WholeFoods for Walmart, the bottom line is to never spend all your money. The good news is that there are plenty of free apps that can help you manage your finances smarter and allow you to save at least 10-15% of your wage every month.
Give yourself a small treat or reward for every six months of sticking to the plan and saving money. Buy a new purse or take that master class you always wanted to keep you going for the next six months of saving.
3. Spend more time with your loved ones
You can never take time back so make sure every moment you spend with your loved ones is as memorable as possible.
If you’re a parent, you need to learn that children long for their parents’ affection more than what their parents can buy them. If you’re a spouse, you need to learn that your significant other needs you to be there for them more than a brand new car or expensive jewelry. If you’re a teacher, your students need more of your life lessons and advice and less on how to pass your class.
One thing you can do the next year is to be there for the people in your life who need it. Whether it’s for trying out new things like ice skating or picking up old hobbies like repairing your motorbike with your old man, people need people more than they need material possessions.
This comparison from YoungChoppers might help you find the best radio for your motorbike but assembling it with your father, bonding over a beer is priceless.