New Year's "Changes"

I have never been very big on setting New Years resolutions because like pretty much everyone, I never stick to them. So this year, I decided that I am going tp make New Year's Changes.

I have decided I am going to be debt free (minus student loans) by the end of 2011! I had wanted to do this by the end of 2010, but I thought I would have a much better paying job once I graduated college. But I have a new action plan, and I hope that it will work out much better this time. I no longer have a single credit card in my wallet. I had a pretty good time cutting them to shreds. I found a picture of what I would like to do with the shreds.

Pretty cool, huh?

I also, like every other person probably, would like to start eating better, get in shape, and lose some weight. I noticed the other night at Wal-Mart that in the area where they usually place their seasonal items, there are all kinds of workout videos, fittness equipment items, and pretty much anything that Wal-Mart sells that is going to help someone lose weight and get into shape. Pretty great marketing strategy and product placement plan if you ask me. Can you tell I am a marketing nerd?

I have been reading in All You (my favorite magazine...I reccomend it!) about how people save money by menu-planning and lose weight as well. So that is what I am planning on putting into place with the new year. I am going to choose 31 dinner, one for each day of the month, and do all of my shopping at once. By doing all of your shopping at once, you are less likely to make impulse purchases. Also, I will know everything that I am going in there for, how much to purchase, and what coupons I can use for them!

I have about 15 healthy recipes compiled onto my list so far and I am very open to suggestions if you have any. It has been kind of hard because Aaron is a little bit of a picky eater (however, I have gotten him to try

 quite a bit!) and I am the type that I at least try anything once.

Oh and before I go, I must reccommend a book! It is called "Choosing to See" by Mary Beth Chapman. She is the wife of Steven Curtis Chapman. I am only 24% through the book (according to my awesome new Kindle!), but I have a hard time putting it down. It is a story about tragedy and hope and how they got where they are today.I love it! Here is a picture of the cover.