Free From Broke

A Personal Finance Blog for Regular Folks

Glen Craig

What Do You Think of New Year’s Resolutions?

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This is the time of year where you come up with a list of resolutions for the New Year.

Some want to exercise more.  Others simply want to lose weight.  Some want to save more money, while others want to get out of debt.

What do you think of New Year’s resolutions?

I’m not sure what to think, to be honest.

On the one hand, I think it’s important to have goals.  A great goal that you follow through on give you guidance and something to aim your energies towards.

But I think setting a resolution or a goal just because the calendar changed is a bit odd.

Why not set goals throughout the year?

My Problem with Most Resolutions

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Your Guide to Setting SMART Goals For Your Finances and Life

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It’s that time of the year where people start fresh and make new goals, and many of those are financial. But are they smart goals?

Did you know that according to a 2007 survey by British psychologist Richard Wiseman, 88% of resolutions end in failure?

We tend to try to do too much with little willpower to achieve our resolutions.  We need systems to help us along.

SMART Goals is one such system.

One way we can help ourselves to success in our resolutions and goals is to make them S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

The following guide will walk you through SMART goals so you’re not one of those whose goals fizzle out by March (if not much earlier).

Everything You Need to Know About S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Your Finances

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What Are Your Kids Gift Expectations?

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I hear people complain that they have to buy expensive things for their kids because it’s what they (the kids) expect.

Some don’t know what they are going to do this holiday season as times might be tight for them. How are we going to get little Johnny the latest (insert expensive popular toy here)?!?

Here’s what I say – Don’t!!

Where do your kids get their expectations from? Do they get them from friends? From television? Those are influences but not the real source.

Children get their expectations from their parents!!

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6 Personal Finance Books to Give for the Holidays (or Read Yourself)

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It feels good to give, doesn’t it?

But most of the things we tend to give to family and friends have a short-term effect.  They get a gift, consume it, and then it’s on to the next thing.

That’s cool and all but would it be great to give a gift that could really impact a person’s life?  

When I started getting my head straight about my personal finances books were the place to go.  The internet didn’t have as many useful sites about the subject.

But you know what?  Even with all of the information out there I still turn to books for information.

Below are some great books that I’ve either read or have heard so much about they are on my reading wish-list.  Take a look and consider checking these out.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on the books and what your favorite personal finance book is in the comments.

Oh, and you don’t have to give one of these to someone else for i to be a gift.  This could be a gift to yourself too!

Here are some of the best personal finance books that would make great gifts:

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Think Long Term When Shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday

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When you do your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping don’t just think of things for the upcoming holidays — think long-term!

Many sales are at their best on these days.  Black Friday kicks off the big end-of-the-year holiday shopping frenzy and lots of people use it as an opportunity to stock up on gifts for the coming season.

But you can also take advantage now and buy items for events and purposes throughout the year.  That’s right, you should think long-term when you plan out your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.

Many a time has passed where I thought I’d see an item on sale again but it ended up not being as good as the Black Friday or Cyber Monday price.  Damn!  Missed out.

Of course, for this to work you have to have money in your budget to buy extra now for the rest of the year.  It’s silly to put great deals on credit if you are going to end up paying credit card interest later on.

If you think out it and plan well, buying now can save you money, and time, for the upcoming year.

Here Are Some Great Occasions to Shop for On Black Friday and Cyber Monday:

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