All of blogdom is buzzing about New Year’s resolutions, dissecting what bloggers will do, or what readers should do.  I’ll follow suit, giving you a mix of my goals and things I have done that I hope you will consider.  Studies have shown that many people will focus on financial goals this year.  If you read this blog, there’s a decent chance you’re among them.  No links from me today, just my own thoughts.

Financial goals are important, but they fall under a broader umbrella of self-improvement and personal development.  The only reason to change something about your life is because you think it will make your life better.  Getting your spending under control, or saving more, or investing more are all things that might make your life better…but they might not, you have to determine what will make you happy. 

1.  Emergency Fund – I have already talked about the importance of building an emergency fund.  It is one of the fundamentals of personal finance.  The only certainty about uncertain expenses is that they will indeed occur.  Make a goal for a certain amount of money to go into this account.  If you experience a windfall, earmark some of the money for this purpose.

2.  Retirement Account – If you don’t have one, start one.  Getting in the game is the hardest part.  Once you have one, take David Bach’s advice (and many others), and make saving automatic, that is, automatically have money deducted and put into your account every month.  This forces you to save and chances are you won’t miss the money.  If you have one, consider upping your contribution this year.  Obviously if you’ve lost your job or fallen on hard times, this isn’t possible. 

3.  Try something you’ve always wanted to do.  For me, I always played team sports growing up, but I have always wanted to take a martial arts class.  Do something that interests you.  Learn to play guitar, speak French, or go on that rafting trip through the Grand Canyon (all of those things sound pretty fun to me).  Start a blog if you like to write. 

4.  Spend more time with the people you care about.  Involve yourself in one of their hobbies or interest.  I’m convinced that the way to someone’s heart over the long term is through a shared interest. 

5.  Discover new music.  I know you like the music you listen to already, but look around for something you’ve never heard.  Ask people what’s in their car right now.  Ask the kids at the record store what the best, most obscure thing in the world is – and try it out.  My cousin is a new music junkie, and he recently recommended Bon Iver to me.  Mellow, pretty, cool…check it out. 

6.  Budget.  If you need help, check out Mint.com.  I reviewed them in an earlier post.  Check it out.

7.  Join a social or charitable organization.  This is one that I am interested in pursuing this year.  I don’t know what club I would join…maybe just the local bar association.  I don’t do that well at being social.  I’m an introvert that most people think of as an extrovert.  I’d rather be home with my wife than at a New Year’s party (but we’re going anyway).

It’s never too late to do what you want to do.  Do what makes you happy in the New Year.  Exploit your weaknesses and make them stronger.  Make yourself better.  Make the world better.  Compliment people.  Smile more.  Keep in touch.  Apologize.  I’ll try if you’ll try.  Here’s to hoping that your year is the best one of your life (so far).