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!

I first posted this last Jan. (2011)- thought it was worthwhile posting again this year! Also, I mistakenly entered $24.40 in the original post as the amount to save each day-the correct amount is $27.40. 

Yes, you can save (or make--depending on how you look at it!) $10,000 by the end of this year, and it is really pretty easy.

Save $27.40 each day, and after 365 days, you will have saved $10,001 dollars.

Of course, since we are now about 14 days in to Jan., you will need to adjust that savings a bit- but still, you get the gist, right?

And if you save $10 a day, you can still have $3,650.

How about $5 a day? That will give you a nice savings of $1,825.

How to save money each day? Here are a few ideas:


Skip Starbucks--make your own coffee
Skip the take-out lunch--make peanut butter and jelly snadwiches
Make spaghetti 2 times a week--skip the meat
Buy a water filter and drink tap water--skip the bottled waters
Put back one item from your grocery cart each time you shop--and save the cost of that item as soon as you get home in a special envelope.
Add some water to your shampoo bottle and stretch it instead of buying another one.
Wash your hair less-- your hair will actually be healthier and your shampoo will last longer.
Cut cable out of your monthly budget.
Walk and save gas when you can.
Visit the library and skip the bookstore.
Make oatmeal for breakfast--skip the pricier (and unhealthier) cereals, eggs, bacon, sausage, etc.
Go to the park or beach--skip the movies.
Check out second hand stores--skip the malls.
Make crafts and sell them on etsy.com
Start selling on eBay.
Visit fiverr.com and make $5.00 by completing tasks.
Make a pot of vegetarian chili for dinner.
Start a small garden and grow some veggies -- skip the vegetable aisle at the market.
Stop drinking soda--drink more water.
Cut back or cut out alcoholic drinks.
Avoid impulse purchases.
Make a little extra money doing paid surveys in your spare time.
Save money cleaning by using household items to make your own cleaning products--skip the cleaning products sold at stores.

These are just some ideas to think about. But there are so many more ways to save each day--it just takes motivation and discipline. Make a memo for yourself reminding you of your ultimate savings goal for the end of this year--whether it be $10,000 or $1,000. Place the note where you will see it each day when you wake up and before you go to bed. You could also keep track each night of where you are in your goal as more motivation.

Start saving today--go set your savings goal and jot down all the ways you can think of to save some money every day!

This easy homemade face mask using honey and pumpkin can also make a great last minute gift for someone! Pumpkin is full of healthy antioxidants and Vitamin A, while honey hydrates, tones, and tightens the skin.

Ingredients

1/4 canned pumpkin puree

2 Tbs. Vanilla Yogurt

1 Tbs. Honey

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Spread over clean damp skin and relax about 10-15 minutes. Rinse away using warm water and gently pat dry your face.

Keeps about 2 weeks in the refrigerator in a resealable container. To give as a gift,  use a pretty jar or container (with a lid,) and fill with the pumpkin mixture. Be sure and attach a printed holiday card with directions for use and the recipe as well!

Are you planning on doing some last minute Christmas shopping online? If so, then plan to do that shopping this Friday, December 16 because you can get free shipping on those last minute gifts. This Friday, more than 2,000 online merchants will offer free shipping anywhere in the U.S.- with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve!

Kohl's, Lands' End, Godiva, Sephora and Zales are just some of the online stores participating in Free Shipping Day- you can find the complete list of all participating stores at FreeShippingDay.com.

Happy Shopping (and Saving!)

"Rehashing is a fashionable way for you to trade your clothing, accessories, and books with others online. You can join groups, socialize, and get fashion, book, and green living tips."

At rehashclothes.com you can swap your gently used or unused new clothes, books and accessories with others- all online. It is completely free to join and the site does not charge fees for swaps made. This just might be a great way to save money Christmas shopping this year, as well as helping our environment by re-using instead of tossing!

After you sign up, you will be able to list clothing, books or jewelry you would like to trade. Then you can check out all the items others have listed, and if you see something you like you can make a trade offer. Once a trade has been agreed upon, you and the other party will determine shipping fees and how to actually complete the trade. They also have a system in place that will help you determine which members have good standings with previous trades, to help you decide which members to make swaps with and which to be cautious with.

So if you are trying to save money this Christmas, head on over and check it out!

And if you are a member of rehashclothes.com already, or have used it in the past, we would love to hear your thoughts about the site and your experiences using it!

If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your house, chances are most of your money is going towards turkey and other menu items. So what to do with the table that needs decorating when the money is low? Here are some easy fast and best of all, cheap holiday centerpiece ideas to check out!

From Good Housekeeping: several mini white pumpkins on a tray!

Gather up all your glass vases and containers, place candles inside and layer in hazelnuts, walnuts, or pecans.

From Martha Stewart: Pear Place Cards. A twist from me~ instead of place cards, place pears on a pretty tray (or by themselves) in a long row down the middle of the table and on each card write down one thing you are thankful for this Thanksgiving.

From RealSimple: Place pinecones in different sized glass bowls and vases- wrap ribbons around the containers if you want to add an additional touch.

Fill a large glass vase or pitcher with candy, nuts or fruit for a fast pretty centerpiece. For Thanksgiving, try candy in fall colors, like mini Reese's Pieces or M&M's. This will work great as a Christmas decoration when filled with Hershey's Kisses or Red and Green M&M's!

When guests are on the way and you have empty space to fill on the table, try this idea from RealSimple!

Homemade bath salts and oils are easy to make and fun to give as Christmas gifts. Just pick out some pretty bottles and jars to use, print out some labels, attach ribbons and you will have some very lovely presents to hand out this year!

Make your own Lavender Bath Salts

Combine 1 Tbs. dried lavender (or use lavender tea flakes) into 2 cups Epsom Salts. Mix gently and store in a a pretty jar with a lid. You can also add a cute scoop or spoon in the jar. Lavender is a wonderful stress-reliever and it also has anti-inflammatory properties which help soothe muscle aches and sinus pressure. Pour a scoop into a warm bath, soak and relax!

Make Your Own Peppermint Bath Salts


Combine 2 handfuls of fresh mint or 1 Tbs. loose mint tea with 2 cups Epsom Salts. Mix until the leaves release their fragrant oils. Pour a scoop under running bath water and enjoy. The peppermint fragrance is great for revitalizing your mind and also can help ease tension headaches.


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