New Year’s Resolution REWIND

Just when you thought, you were too far into the new year, or you’d already cheated and you might as well give up, we’ve decided to offer up some solutions for a resolution rewind.

       If you remember saying that you would eat healthier and save money, perhaps one of your goals was to pack a lunch for work.  At some point you got sick of the turkey and cheese or the pb&j and went right on back to buying something on the fly.  This week thekitchn.com offers up an array of lunch choices including some variations you may have never even considered. Check it out.  This might just be the lunch time rewind you were looking for.

       If fitness was part of the plan, it’s never too late to start.  The BodyMedia FIT armband is gaining popularity with fitness enthusiasts and contestants on The Biggest Loser burned their way to success with the company’s Bodybugg.  This amazing armband not only counts your calories burned throughout the day, it also monitors your quality of sleep, a huge factor in weight management.  With free downloadable apps to track your progress and log your food intake, you will be well on your way to a healthy body. 

       If you are an iPhone owner and you are looking for app to help you stay fit, try Lose It!.  Rated by TIME magazine as one of the top 50 iPhone apps of 2011, this calorie counting app will help you track your progress and keep you motivated.  Android users you aren’t left to fend for yourself.  Lifehacker.com lists FatSecret Calorie Counter, RunKeeper Pro, MyTracks, SparkRecipes, and CardioTrainer as a variety of health and fitness inspired apps for the Android user.  With new apps added every day, there is sure to be something for everyone at little to no cost.

       Whether you refer to your savings as money, stacks, cake or paper, you might have resolved to save more of it this year.  If you are still trying to figure out how you can get through the recession and still save a little something for a rainy day, it might be time to evaluate your financial situation.  Mellody Hobson, Good Morning America’s personal finance contributor and president of Arial Investments offered up some easy tips at the beginning of the year and there is never a deadline when it comes to making your money work for you. 

• Check your existing bank account and make sure it is still working for you.  The credit card and financial reform acts have caused interest rates and fees to go up.  Make sure that your bank is giving you the best deal possible.  You could be unaware that you are paying more for bank services than you were just a year ago.
• With the extension of the tax cuts you may be seeing a few more dollars in your paycheck.  Even if it’s only a few dollars, put those dollars toward paying down your debt, or starting an emergency savings account.  You will feel better and after a few weeks you won’t even miss the money.
• Many Americans are using their tax refunds to buy something they’ve wanted all year.  But remember, that money is the money you’ve overpaid the government, it was yours all along.  If you want your money to work for you in the long term consider putting it toward debt, emergency savings or building your retirement savings.

  If you are interested in learning more about increasing your financial health, look to www.abcnews.com/gma, where Mellody Hobson looks out for you and your money.

Sometimes we wish life had a reset button.  In the case of recommitting yourself to your resolutions, it is never too late to start over.