SavvySugar

I'm Asking: What Are Your 2009 Career Goals?

SavvySugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:30:09 -0800

Your immediate goal in this economic climate might simply be to keep your job, but a stagnant economy doesn't mean we have to stop thinking of where we're going with our careers. It's important for your professional growth and your personal satisfaction to constantly be thinking about your goals and how you're going to achieve them. So tell me, what are your career goals for the new year and beyond?

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January Must Dos

SavvySugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:45:42 -0800

Whether or not you're a believer in New Year's resolutions, there's always room for improving the order in our financial houses. Begin the year on an organized note and set yourself up to be in better touch with your finances in 2009 by following my January must dos. Start the slideshow to check out some steps to take this month.

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Recharge Your Savvy Resolution Every Day

SavvySugar — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 11:00:32 -0800

"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction."
-George Horace Lorimer

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Your Two Cents: What Are You Resolving For 2009?

SavvySugar — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 07:00:02 -0800

It's going to be a great year. Can't you feel it? Resolutions are only worth your time if you believe that you can commit to them, so set your sights on one or two goals and begin taking the steps to fulfill them.

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Savvy Resolution: Get Savvy in 2009 With Our Resolution Doc!

SavvySugar — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:00:37 -0800

The majority of SavvySugar readers didn't make resolutions in 2008, but those who did reported they made progress. In the spirit of getting organized, we've crafted a handy Resolution Worksheet for you to keep track of all your financial goals for the new year and help you keep them.

Some of the goals like retirement savings are totally universal, while some of you may have specific career goals that you can jot down in the free space. As you accomplish items, you can check them off your list, which I think is one of life's little pleasures.

You can download our Resolution Worksheet here or by clicking on the image.

I'll be checking in with you in a month to see how you're doing with your resolutions and feel free to share any of your goals in your comments below!

Resolve to Live Below Your Means in 2009

SavvySugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:30:24 -0800

The concept of spending less than we earn seems simple enough, yet many of us struggle to put the idea into practice. Living within your means is a great start to financial stability, but living below your means is a way to ensure that this path isn't disrupted.

Step one is eliminating a reliance on credit cards for anything but emergencies. Step two is creating an emergency fund so that you don't have to pay interest when an unexpected expense arises. This year, I suggest resolving to live below your means so that you have money left over for a substantial emergency fund.

Create small goals for yourself so the overall idea doesn't seem overwhelming. For example, instead of setting a goal to save $3,000 in 2009, aim to save $500 by March and so on. You're more likely to achieve your goal when the end doesn't seem so far away.

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Did You Follow Through With Your 2008 Resolutions?

SavvySugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:30:10 -0800

The New Year offers a clean slate for renewing goals or committing to new ones. We're most likely to succeed in following through with our resolutions if we create a realistic plan of action, whether the motivation is getting out of debt or getting a new job. How did you do with your '08 resolutions?

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Resolve to Pick Up a DIY Hobby Like Kate Hudson

SavvySugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:30:56 -0800

Your version of getting crafty might be limited to stickers and colored pencils, but it's never too late to expand your horizons, especially if branching out could lead to saving some cash. During this season of cocktail parties and family gatherings, consider that finding out what everyone has been up to could inspire you to pick up a money-saving hobby. Ask around about what the other guests enjoy doing outside of the office and you might be surprised at the answers - even Kate Hudson is getting in on the DIY gifting fun.

At a press conference for Bride Wars, the actress told People that she's giving homemade gifts for the holidays and said, "I think it’s a really weird time and I think that everyone is feeling it. We’ve always been pretty crafty anyway. We all knit. The girls knit. This year I’m doing these great big knit . . . well, actually I shouldn’t even talk about it because I can’t say it!"

Why not include a new, money-saving hobby to your list of resolutions for the New Year? Are there any hobbies that you'd like to add to your repertoire?

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One Month Check Up: Your Money Goals

SavvySugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:55:51 -0800

Can you believe it's already month two of 2008?! I found that once I entered my working life the months seemed to blend much more than when I was a student. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? It's not necessarily a negative phenomenon, but it does leave the door open for many, "Where has the time gone?" and, "I'm going to be (fill in the blank) age before I know it" moments.

So in an attempt to keep time on our side, I'm checking in to see how you're doing with your New Year's goals. Last month 50 percent of you told me that paying down debt would impact your finances the most this year, 30 percent named saving money, 13 percent committed to learning more about money, and 6 percent wanted to increase retirement contributions.

Share your progress (and any fumbles) in the comments below!

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Write It Down in 2008

SavvySugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:37:32 -0800

Because I've been off the resolution train for awhile, this year I've made New Year's resolutions that I can constantly revise throughout the year. While my goals are obviously priorities, they're also things that haven't left me feeling behind midway through January. I'm hoping this outlook will help me avoid the 30-day crash that inevitably happens with goals made around the first of the year.

There's always a better chance of following through when something is written down rather than stored in your head. Michele (or was it Romy) created Post-its for a reason! And while Post-its serve as great little reminders to do things like calling your sister, resolutions require something with more endurance.

If you missed it last week, you can print out our savvy resolutions worksheet by clicking here. Just because we're past the single-digit days of January doesn't mean it's too late to set new goals.