Are you setting New Years Resolutions this year? I am, but I am keeping it simple by really focusing on just one goal that I want to accomplish everyday. I know me - and I know if I don't make it do-able and small, I will fall off the 'resolution train' before it even leaves the station.

So what goal am I setting for myself? Promise to not giggle? Seriously, now....promise.

Okay, here it is:

1. To save one dollar every day.

That's it.

(I hear you giggling)

And guess what? I started this resolution early-like mid-December. And guess what else? I have saved over $60. (Now who is laughing??)

Yea, you might think that $60 is not possible just by saving $1 a day for about 15 or so days (I can't remember the exact date I decided to start this) - and of course you would be right. The thing is, when I started saving that dollar every day, I found myself getting more and more motivated to save more. So whenever I could add a few more dollars, I did.

The key for me is to set a goal that is attainable so I will follow through. I have set resolutions in the past, like most people do, but I did not stick to them. General or difficult to do resolutions will probably not work in my opinion. Setting small, specific, and easy goals will not only increase your chances of success, it will undoubtedly inspire you to make more changes for the better in your life.

$1 a day.

My New Year's resolution. Let's see where it leads.

Wishing Everyone a Happy and Blessed New Year!

Here are a few tips to help you save money by keeping foods fresher longer:

• Keep fruits and veggies fresh longer by keeping a dry clean sponge in the crisper. The sponge will absorb surrounding moisture, which can cause mold to form, and will keep produce fresh twice as long.

• Instead of throwing away stale bread and spending money on a new loaf, try this tip-Fill a pan with an inch of water and simmer on the stove. Place a cookie rack on top of the pan for an instant steamer, and place the bread on top. In about 5 minutes, the once-stale bread will be soft and moist again, and warm too!

•  Sugar that has become hard can be saved, as well as saving you some money, with a piece of bread. Just stick a small piece of bread inside the bag or container, and seal tightly. In about six hours, that hardened sugar should be soft once again! 

Want More Saving Tips? Check out 8 money saving beauty tips!

Happy New Year! I have not kept up too much with my blog over the holidays, but am ready to jump back in and get 2009 off to a great year for savings!

So today I thought I'd share a batch of new and not so new tips for saving and being frugal--Enjoy!

1. Do not throw away old socks with holes--use them for dusting and washing floors. Much cheaper than buying those mops and sweepers!
2. Buy some seeds and grow your own garden.
3. Make extra batches of pancakes from scratch and then freeze for breakfast during the week. Much cheaper than buying brand name frozen pancakes and waffles at the market.
4. Make burritos and freeze them snacks, dinners and even breakfast. Cook the ingredients for your burritos, wrap in flour tortillas, and lay them side by side on a cookie sheet. Freeze completely. When they are completely frozen, place the burritos in sealed freezer bags. Just heat in the microwave (usually 1-2 minutes, but be careful as microwaves heat differently)and enjoy. Cheaper and healthier than fast food!
5. Consider doing shopping for upcoming birthdays throughout the year in January. The stores almost always have great toy sales in January, so shop and stock up for the rest of the year.
6. February is a big month for clothing sales, so shop then and buy ahead if the sale is exceptionally good. If you are buying size 4 now for your little one, buy an extra at size 6 if the sale is a good one!
7. Remember to make at least 3 meatless meals for dinner each week. Take the money you would have spent on chicken, steak or hamburger, and put it in your savings acc't.
8. If you do not make your own bread yet, why not make this the year to give it a try? You will find this to be a true money saver!
9. Line dry clothes when you can. Turn the TV off an hour earlier each evening and read instead. Turn off the computer at night. Unplug appliances not being used. Use the crock pot once or twice a week for cooking. All these things will help cut down on your electricity use.
10. Always empty out your pockets every night and save that change! It will add up, especially if you do not touch it!

Here's another quick and inexpensive dinner that will save you money at the grocery store:

Mac'N Cheese With Veggies
Pudding Parfaits for Dessert

For the macaroni and cheese, one box will give you about 4 servings. If you want more servings, use two boxes.

Prepare the macaroni and cheese as normal. When you add the pasta to the boiling water, also add in a package (10 oz.,)of frozen mixed vegetables. Then drain and add lowfat milk and cheese sauce as normal.

If you have leftover chicken, cut and add to the macaroni and cheese as well.

Add a cucumber salad on the side.

For dessert, make some instant pudding using lowfat or nonfat milk, add some cool whip and enjoy.

Easy simple and filling dinner that is also inexpensive.

picture source-Kraft Foods.com

It will be easier for you to save change every day if you really stay aware of just how much the miscellaneous coins add up to.

For example, 40 quarters will be $10.00, so aim to get 40 quarters saved throughout a week. If you keep the goal simple and clearly defined, it will make accomplishing it so much easier! If every Sunday night you have your 40 quarters saved, that's $10.00 for your savings account.

50 dimes will be $5.00, so every dime you see, pick up. If you can aim to get 50 dimes throughout a week, come Sunday evening you will have and additional $5 to add to your $10.

So keep it simple and straightforward. Know exactly what your goal is (say 40 quarters a week), and you will be much more likely to not only accomplish your goal but to stay motivated while doing it.

This is a fun way to save money and have a fun night in with friends. I read about this somewhere a while back, and though I personally haven't had the chance to try it, it's definitely something I think about.

Plan a mom's night "IN" at your house or a friends. Each person brings a food dish and an item ( or two or three) that they no longer need or use. Once everyone has arrived with all their goodies, simply display everything on a table. While enjoying the food, peruse the 'goodies' and see which items you'd like to trade your stuff for.

The actual ways of conducting the trading is prety much done however you and your friends decide you want to handle it. But the main point is that everyone gets a chance to get something "new" while giving away something at the same time.

You may come across an item that you needed to buy soon, and now won't have to. Or an item that will be a perfect birthday or Christmas gift for someone else. Or maybe just a book you have been wanting to read. But hopefully everyone will leave with something fun and useful, and will have saved money that they may otherwise have had to spend.

Another twist on this idea could be a coupon party. Everyone simply cuts and saves coupons they come across, and at the get together, coupons can be swapped and traded.

Here's to saving money!