Keeping a New Year's Resolution: My Success Story! (BoomerBlix)

Behold the mighty envelope!

I did it! Yes, steadfast readers, I really did keep a New Year's resolution and I don't mind bragging for a minute or two. After all, I'm $1,378 richer than a year ago.

The suggestion to save money every week for the whole year popped up on Facebook sometime after Thanksgiving. Seemed ridiculously painless. I'm always looking for ways to fool myself into putting aside little bits of cash for travel. Even wrote an inspiring Blix about it: Three Ways to Stash Away Money.

You're thinking this is no big deal, tucking a few dollars away every Thursday. Especially at the beginning, when the amount is laughable. $1? Really, Suzy? Yep, really. So I did what you would probably do: Put in a $10 bill and crossed off four weeks. Almost through January in one masterful move.

Onward through the year. The first six months were easy-peasy. Then about July, I had to make sure I had enough cash on hand to meet my obligation. Coming up with $37, then $38, then $39...starts to require forethought. When Thursdays rolled around in November and December-yikes! But I couldn't stop so close to the finish line. You'd feel the same.

I actually love the idea of a fresh start on January 1. Resolving to make adjustments in my life seems like a swell idea. I'm not alone. According to the folks who study this kind of stuff:

45% of Americans make resolutions every year. Another 38% never make them.
64% will make it one month. At the six-month mark, half will still be at it.
Of the resolution-makers, 49% will have some measure of success.
About 10% will be able to boast...like me

What do those of us who make a stab at resolutions focus on? Turns out, we're surprisingly predictable:

Losing weight
Getting organized
Spend less, save more
Enjoy life to the fullest
Staying fit and healthy
Learn something new and exciting
Quit smoking
Help others with their dreams
Fall in love
Spend more time with family

Before you dismiss the notion of accomplishing something this year, consider this. Even though many people will "hope" to make a life change, people who make specific resolutions are TEN times more likely to succeed than those who call the whole idea hogwash.

Will I do the envelope again? Absolutely! Already have it ready with this year's dates written. After all, I have places to go and things to see. Money is required. Until the lottery comes through, it's up to me. Nor am I blessed with an abundance of self-discipline. (Which is why the #1 resolution above--for me, the eternal five pounds--remains unfulfilled...) But every Thursday will find me opening my purse and digging out odd sums of cash. Who's with me?