Yep. Another year. Who woulda thought?
It seems like just yesterday we were all in a lather about the Y2K bug and how all the systems of the world would start to shut down, financial systems would collapse, and no one’s computer would work anymore. My financial advisor guy says that Y2K is partially to blame for the “tech bubble” which led to a collapse of the tech sector in the stock market.
How was he to know it would be the “mortgage or housing bubble” that would really lead to the collapse eight years later. Who woulda thought?
Resolutions
This is also the time for resolutions. Everyone I know makes them. Even if it’s resolving not to make resolutions.
- Lose weight.
- Get healthy.
- Exercise more.
- Stop smoking.
- Save more money.
- the list can go on and on…
In fact, there are dozens of blog posts that talk about the “Top Ten” resolutions people make. Dozens more explaining why they’re mostly forgotten by February.
My Resolutions
I find that the fewer things I need to focus on, the better. Maybe they’ll actually work out.
- Lose Weight —This has been with me for years…decades…and I haven’t been able to make much headway. In fact, I’ve gained weight. I used to write about my struggle and progress with weight reduction right here on this blog. In fact, at one time, I thought I would make this a weight loss journal in the vein of 344 Pounds and become famous for my achievement. Obviously, I still have lots of work to do in this area. Discipline is the key and that’s something I seem to lack. Especially when is comes to losing weight.
- Be More Positive — This is easier said than done. It seems that my life is a major roller coaster and, for whatever reason, I can’t seem to get it to keep going up so that the downs are not as devastating. I usually relate it to money and creature comforts. It seems that whenever I get a little ahead something comes along to suck the money right back out. Most recently it was my teeth. It’s a long story but the Reader’s Digest version is that my teeth and gums are going to costs a-lot-of-money to fix. Nevertheless, I really want to see if I can improve my attitude and shed the curmudgeonly aura.
- Save More Money — I told you I have a thing about money. The Missus and I spent a bundle on some home improvements that aren’t very sexy. A new heat pump and furnace and a new roof. Hopefully, both will help with some energy efficiency and neither will require replacement for another 20 years or so. However, we really need to start socking it away for retirement. Neither one of us is getting any younger and The Missus, in particular, wants to stop working for “the man” (in her case, the Federal Government). We both want to enjoy our golden years and that means not having to worry too much about how to pay the mortgage, put food on the table and maybe go on a little trip now and then. So saving money in a serious, deliberate and conscious way is important.
Can The Be Accomplished?
Well, the short answer is “sure”. Why not? They aren’t really that hard. They’re simple, achievable, measurable (the magic SAM formula for goal setting). All it takes is discipline and persistence.
Yeah. That’s all it takes.
