Happy New Year and those resolutions January 1 2024

 

 

 

With every New Year comes the proverbial resolution for many. Whether the resolution encompasses quitting a bad habit, tightening ones financial purse strings or looking to tighten ones waist belt, we have all sworn on the first of January that we would either say good bye or say hello to a change in our behavior.

I have made a few resolutions over my 60 or so years of coherent existence, but truth be told, I am not real big on them. Not that resolutions are a bad thing. Far from it. The turning of a New Year can be the stepping stone for a positive change in one’s life.

For me however, I am the kind of person that once I make up my mind a change is in order, I don’t wait for January 1st, I just do it. I think it’s the way my brain works. If I make a New Year’s resolution, and then break it, I spiral into a deep self-loathing. In some way however, if I break a promise made on some arbitrary date like April 12th or whatever, it doesn’t hurt so bad.

That should tell you a little about myself. Mainly that I, like many of you, can break self-promises like a New Year’s resolutions on occasion, and when I do, that guilty feeling slowly creeps into your head,  which is no Bueno for nobody. (Bad grammar I know but it sounded good).

That said, for many, New Year’s resolutions can go a long way in making positive changes in one’s life and if adhered to, can really make a difference, whatever the endeavor.

Weight loss might allow one to have a longer and healthier life, a more comfortable existence and possibly save money on the medical bills.

Quitting a bad habit like smoking or excessive drinking obviously has many benefits, both for the participant and perhaps even for his friends or family.

Many resolutions can revolve around a financial change of some sort and these types of resolutions can have many positive changes for the individual as well as their family, if they have one.

Usually money problems involve spending too much, not really being aware of where the spending is going, or not having enough money in the first place. Derivations around this area might include wanting to find new ways to make more money, whether it be working longer hours or working more efficiently, or even getting a new job or starting a business.

Whereas a resolution like losing some weight has the direct benefit of looking and being healthier, improving ones finances can have multiple benefits. Since a financial goal usually involves making more, spending less, or even saving a little more or starting a retirement account, adhering to a resolution that involves money can better a person’s life in many ways.

If financial improvements are successful, it can improve one’s self-esteem, allow more time to be spent doing things one enjoys, such as traveling or hobbies, spending more time with loved ones, or something as simplistic as being able to buy more stuff. In certain cases, accomplishing a financial goal could even mean just putting food on the table, or putting more food on the table.

Since the number one cause of marriage problems centers around finances, and with recent inflation biting into finances more and more, addressing financial challenges can save marriages and no doubt, one could even go so far as to save lives.

My wife and I, upon receiving a $750 PG&E bill one month, staunchly made and kept to a “Kill a Watt” program to reduce our power consumption. Successfully reducing our costs by about 20%, we not only saved money, we help save something far more grandiose. Our planet. And doing that no doubt improved, albeit in a small way, the health of those we share the planet with.

Now that’s a resolution we all could easily get behind.

In conclusion, the turning of the New Year can give us new hope, a new outlook, and a reason to assess where we are and where we want to go. If the turning of the year gives some people a reason to make a change, and helps them stick to it, all the better.

Happy New Year to all of you.

“Watching the markets so you don’t have to”    

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(As mentioned please use the below disclaimer exactly) THANKS   (Regulations)    

This article expresses the opinion of Marc Cuniberti and may not represent the opinions of this media outlet, its staff, members or underwriters (but probably does). Mr. Cuniberti holds a B.A. in Economics with honors, 1979, and California Insurance License #0L34249 and was voted Best Financial Advisor in Nevada County 2021.  His insurance agency is BAP INC. insurance services.  Email: news@moneymanagementradio.com. 

 

 

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