Budget Friendly Ways to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

We are almost 2 weeks into 2016; how are those New Year’s resolutions going? If you are still going strong, nice work! But if you are already finding that your priorities are shifting, or you just haven’t found the time to make some yet, that is okay. We are here to help you get back on track and keep you on budget while you are meeting all of your goals. Maybe we will even inspire a new resolution that you didn’t think of trying before!

If you really think about it, resolutions are pretty vague. So each year we see similar themes pop up, but with so much room for interpretation, they are incredibly difficult to commit to. Check out the most popular 2016 resolutions and see if any of them are on your list:

• Enjoying Life to the Fullest
• Living a Healthier Lifestyle
• Losing Weight
• Saving More, Spending Less
• Spending More Time with Family and Friends
• Paying Down Debt

Enjoying Life to the Fullest

As the most popular resolution of 2016, it is clear that people want to get the most of out their life this year. For some that might mean more traveling for others it could be reading more. If wanderlust has you dreaming of faraway places, start checking out what type of discounts you can get for your trip. From hotel rooms to flights to dining experiences, there is always room for some savings. Or maybe it is more a state of mind that will help you enjoy your life, in which case, try keeping a journal or blog to keep record of the good and bad moments. Then you have something to review when the year is over and know what exactly to improve on for the next, while also getting the chance to relive the good times.

Living a Healthier Lifestyle

I like that being healthier is higher than losing weight this year because so many people just get lost in the numbers on the scale or on the inside of their pants. There is so much more to being healthy than being what Hollywood defines as “skinny”. A great way to start a healthy lifestyle is by eating better. With the weather a bit cooler, it is a great opportunity to spend some extra time in the kitchen trying out new recipes. Cook with your family, friends, or roommates to stick to the plan and create fun memories in place of going out to dinner. If you don’t have the time to go shopping or even know where to begin, Hello Fresh makes eating well easy! Order now and use our 35% off coupon and get fresh ingredients and recipes, all portioned and boxed, right to your front door. You can also start incorporating vitamins to balance out your diet and give your body that extra boost. Check out our Puritan's Pride coupons to get started.

Losing Weight

The holidays are a rough time for diets. With multiple parties and a seemingly endless supply of sweets, your waistline can really take a hit. It is no wonder that with the new year comes a declaration of a new, skinnier you! We already discussed a few ways to live a better lifestyle, which you should definitely incorporate if you want to maximize your weight loss efforts. If working out at home isn’t going to be an effective way for you to get in shape, consider finding a local gym that will offer you classes, workout machines, and other incentives to stick to your fitness goals! 24 Hour Fitness is a favorite because not only do they have great amenities, but they also fit perfectly into busy work schedules. Right now, we are offering a 24 Hour Fitness promo code for a 4 day free pass that will let you test the waters before committing. Once you find room in your schedule and get in the habit, you will see how easy working out becomes.

Saving More, Spending Less

This is at the top of my goals for 2016 and near and dear to many other people’s hearts this year. Spending is much more fun and immediately rewarding than saving, but it is time to finally master the skill of saving money! A great place to start is Mint.com. They do all the hard work of budgeting for you by analyzing your spending habits, organizing your bills, and helping you set goals, all in one place. It is easy to use, even for the least financially savvy of individuals. Plus it is completely free to use! If that isn’t your thing, try the old fashioned trick of using paper bills. Designate how much you want to spend each week and then you will easily be able to see what you are spending and adjust accordingly before running out.

Spend More Time with Family and Friends

Make 2016 the year to try new activities with your loved ones. Of course gathering around for a night of popcorn and Netflix binging is a guaranteed win, but it doesn’t really offer the breeding grounds for conversation. Instead, try a night out painting over cocktails at a local bar! We have PaintNite coupons for 35% off right now, so it is the perfect time to try it out. Or find a ticket to a local game or sporting event that everyone will enjoy! You can snag 20% off select tickets to jumpstart the new year with our PrimeSport discounts. Mixing nights at home with exciting nights out will keep you on a budget but also give you memories to last a lifetime.

Pay Down Debt

Paying off your debt can be a tedious process if you don’t have a plan in place. It is important to get your finances and budget in order before you blindly start paying anyone back. Once you have a clear understanding of your money flow, breakdown all of your debt by amount and importance and decide how you are going to pay it off each month. When you can, always try and pay over the minimum. The faster you can pay it off, the better! Then maintain your budget by shopping smartly. If you have to buy something, make sure you are getting the best deal first and always use a coupon and coupon code when you can, especially by checking with us when you are shopping online! Stick to your goals and you will watch that debt go down!

Make your new year resolutions successes by creating manageable goals! If you really need the extra push, share them with someone else and have them hold you accountable. Make 2016 your year!