in which I resolve.

I frequently find myself making the same New Years Resolutions - lose weight, drink more water, etc....

But this year, I've done a lot of thinking about things that I really want to do with my life that require a change. A big part of that is giving myself a MONEY MAKEOVER. (Yep. I said it.) I'm not excruciatingly good at managing my money. I never have been. A card to me is like a magic piece of plastic that gets me stuff I want. (The most unhealthy thought I've ever had.) So here are a couple of steps that I'm taking for my money problems.

1. I'm going to start using Microsoft Money. Yeah, I'm actually going to keep track of my spending. I'm pretty sure it'll actually keep me in check with how much money I've spent, instead of a bunch of vagueish mental math that I'm never quite correct on.
2. I'm going to open a savings account. I'm going to make frequent deposits. I'm not going to touch it. I'm going to call it "The Don't End Up Living At Your Parents' For the Next Ten Years" fund.

Other resolutions that I have made:
1. To read the newspaper at least three times a week. Or at least, the front page section. I think that being at least a little informed as to what's going on in the world can be very important. My American Government class taught me that I knew so very little about what has been going on in American politics since I entered college, and I'm hoping that reading the paper will be my first step in becoming an informed citizen. (Yep. I said it. NOW how stodgy do I sound?)
2. To read a book at the very least, once a month. A BOOK, not a magazine, not a play. Now, this is a hard one for me, because I have a hard time justifying reading anything other than plays as a "waste of time" in comparison to reading something that benefits my career... however - I love reading. and I think it's healthy to spend a certain amount of time doing something that's just for me.
3. Go back to meditating. Enough said. I used to rave about how wonderful I felt and how focused and powerful I felt when I was meditating daily, so I'm really rather disappointed in myself for stopping.
4. Get over my completely irrational fears. The first one I'm going to tackle is the Muppet Christmas Carol. Ferris wheels whenever I can find one.

Happy New Year. Hope your resolutions go well!