Resolutions for 2007?

JoeCommodore asks: "It's that time of year where many of us review our last year and look at ourselves in the mirror, checkbook balance, and/or social schedule (EPs, stats, and skills, for those who relate to RPGs) and make resolutions to improve ourselves. One of my resolutions is to stop my increasing diversionary tactics when working on my many projects at home. You know, instead of working on some problem problem I turn to the internet (Slashdot), games, snacks, and so on. Either I need to get better at controlling my diversion habits or turn them them into something positive. So what have you thought of doing for yourself in 2007?"

Comments

My new year's resolution?

[Deacon_Yermouf]

1024x768!

100 dpi.

[Yaztromo]

I resolved many, many years ago to stop making resolutions.

It's the only one I've ever kept.

Yaz.

The Simple Route

[superdan2k]

This year, rather than make specifics, I went with one thing: be more awesome.

Crazy, right? In the last year, I started doing everything I needed to do to have a great life. This year, I want to keep doing those things and stay consistent. And even try a few new things. No point in making concrete goals -- the goal is to be more awesome in everything that I do.

Not posting on slashdot.

[Spazntwich]

...shit

Two resolutions

[cperciva]

I resolved to eat less (than an elephant) and exercise more (than a sloth).

So far I'm succeeding.

Get your financial house in order!

[antifoidulus]

I cannot stress that enough. While money does not buy happiness, a certain amount does go a long way to giving you independence. 18 months ago I was a recent grad who through circumstance and stupidity(credit card debt SUCKS ASS!) found myself with a new job and $37,500 in debt. This month I will finally have a 0 net worth, and it is the best feeling ever. I have had to work a job I hate in a place I loathe simply because my debt dictated I take the best paying job I could find. I have been miserable, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and *fingers crossed* I will be entering grad school next year with a stipend and a positive net worth. I never, ever want to have to work a job simply because I desperately need the money.

Save like hell, invest wisely, and keep an emergency fund of at least 6 months handy at all time. And stay out of all debt besides a mortgage(and pay that off as soon as you can). It feels so good to be able to say "no" to a boss and not have to worry about whether or not you can make next months rent. Beats the hell out of a new plasma screen or any consumer item for that matter. I loathe Wal-Mart because I have come to despise everything it stands for. To quote Tyler Derden, "We work jobs we hate to buy shit we don't need."

Re:Get your financial house in order!

[stonewolf]

YES!

I was laid off five years ago on my 49th birthday and haven't been able to find a tech job since. My income dropped from over a $100K/year to under $20k (some years under $10k). After we were married (almost 30 years ago now) my wife and I started putting 10% of our gross income into various forms of savings. As we got raises we took part of the raise and put the rest in savings. When I was laid off we were putting nearly 30% of our combined gross into a mixture of pre and post tax savings. Over the last 30 years we have both had extended periods of unemployment and sometimes we did have to stop saving just to cover our locked in expenses. But... we own our cars, own our house, and are able to maintain a comfortable life style while I retrain and start a new career. What little debt we have is due to a decision to keep investments in place so long as the return on those investments is greater than the interest on our debt.

Save, save, save... you never know when you will need the money.

Stonewolf

P.S.

No matter what you may believe, you *can* live on 10% less than you currently make.

Get laid

[Money for Nothin']

This is one most of us /.'ers (including me) should do...