Ask the Readers: What Is Your New Year's Resolution?

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Editor's note: Congrats to @kdkdkd, Kristin Kaufmann, and Nancy Sloan for winning this contest!

I love New Year's resolutions. The idea that you get to reinvent yourself is such a wonderful concept.

What are your resolutions for 2011? Are you going for big changes or setting smaller, more realistic goals? Will you be tackling a health problem or try to be mindful of your finances?

Share your ideas and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — one for random comments, one for random Facebook "Likes", and another one for random tweets.

How to Enter:

  • Post your answer in the comments below,
  • Go to our Facebook page, "Like" us, then "Like" the update mentioning this giveaway (you can comment, as well — but you don't have to for entry.)
  • Tweet your answer. Include both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" in your tweet so we'll see it and count it.

If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

  • Contest ends Monday, January 3rd at 11:59 pm CST. Winners will be announced after January 3rd on the original post and via Twitter. Winners will also be contacted via email and Twitter Direct Message.
  • You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
  • Only tweets that contain both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" will be entered. (Otherwise, we won't see it.)
  • Only those who have "Liked" both our Facebook page and the contest update will be entered.

Good Luck!

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Guest's picture
Sree

My Resolutions for the New year 2011 are keep up with the exercise, buy less material stuff, making more family memories,have quality time with friends, implement healthy food substitues, worry less, find a job, do some charity ,writing 5 things that I am grateful for each day, make another move that is Go Green and finally drink more water.

Guest's picture
Marisa

Move out of my parents' house!

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Guest

I am going to finish training and get my MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) and 4 SharePoint certifications, and find a better job.

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Tekla

I am going to finish training and get my MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) and 4 SharePoint certifications, and find a better job.

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Heather

Simplify and pare down. With young children, I want to stay ahead of the clutter this coming year.

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Monica R.

Last year I tackled my health by going Primal/Paleo and fixed my cholesterol issues. I managed to lose some weight as well, and certainly have more energy and strength than I used to.

So since last year I developed some good habits, this year I'd like to get rid of a few - mainly my habit of mindlessly watching tv or surfing the internet instead of reading, playing my viola, or spending time with [real] people.

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gina

My New Years resolution is to stick to my goal to lose 60 lbs in 1 year

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Guest

My resolution is to get our finances in order and save more money.

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Megan A.

To start container gardening.

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Kristy OT

My New Year's resolution is to write and send one encouraging note a week. Ideally to a different person every time, but we'll see...

Guest's picture

The holiday season is a tremendously busy time. If, amidst all the hustle and bustle and travel and parties and monster food and drink consumption, you can make New Year's resolutions and later keep them--I tip my Santa hat to you.

I, however, have better success spacing out my resolutions and goals through out the whole year:

http://savvysavingbytes.com/2010/12/phooey-to-new-years-resolutions-and-...

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Kristina

I'm going for small, manageable goals. I am more motivated to stick with larger goals if I give myself small ones with small rewards along the way. Such as, do 5 really boring chores, then enter 5 really fun blog contest giveaways. ;)

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SarahB

The resolution/goal for 2010 was to read at least 50 books, currently I have read 61 and anticipate reading 2 more by the end of the year. Since this year's resolution/goal was more than attainable, I decided for 2011 that I'm going to tackle something more challenging and just as rewarding. I'm going to learn how to knit. I received knitting needles, a row counter, a how to book, an instructional DVD, and money for yarn for Christmas, so now I just need to put down my books and pick up my knitting needles.

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Terry D

Good for you, Sarah! If you don't have a live knitting tutor, try Youtube. Lots of tutorials on there.

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AD

My resolution is to save more.

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kristina wittchen

My New Year's resolution is to live a healthier lifestyle.

Guest's picture

I don't believe in setting New Years Resolutions, because people expect you to fail at them. Instead, I've started setting annual goals which are in line with and help me attain my life goals. I call it the Small Biz Big Dreams Anti-New Years Resolutions.

But I digress, my goals for 2011 are to:
Save at least $10,000
Improve my net worth at least $30,000
Get my name on the first page of google

Guest's picture
Heidi

Instead of traditional resolutions, I pick something new I want to learn or experience in the year. I didn't quite make all of mine for this year but I did learn how to give myself a manicure, as I finally stopped biting my fingernails (I'm 33 years old, and have been a chronic nail biter my entire life).

I've found that setting goals that are more positive (manicure! pretty fingernails!) that incorporates difficult or unpleasant things to do as a step works better for me than just naming the negative thing I'd like to stop.

For 2011, it's going to be "taking my kids to play in the ocean", which means both fix the budget to save for a vacation, and lose enough weight that I can wear a swimsuit in public.

Guest's picture

I plan to strive for health, healing and happiness.

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Marilyn Wons

My New Year's Resolution is to spend less money on myself.

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Sarah

I have several; pay off one of my school loans, lose weight, and spend less on entertainment are the big ones.

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Margaret Smith

I'm a going to try to be more patient with others and try to be much more organized.
Thanks so much.

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Pat S.

I'll be getting a promotion next month, and my new year's resolution is to live on the same budget as my previous salary, and save and invest the bulk of my raise.
Pat S.
www.compoundingreturns.blogspot.com

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Elizabeth

My goal is to earn an extra $1000 this year (through selling unwanted stuff, freelancing, etc). I plan to start a spread sheet and track my progress.

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Kathy McCrae

Move more, make an effort to eat lower calories per day. Nothing extreme, just steps toward better healthier 2011.

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Guest

No really a goal but I took a bunch of goals I had and found a theme in them. That theme or trigger word is "Redemption" so whenever I think about something to do I simply think about my trigger word and it motivates me to do my goals.

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Guest

My resolution is to eliminate the word 'diet' from my vocabulary. I'm not going on a 'diet' in 2011 - I will make better choices (i.e. drink more water, snack healthier, etc.)

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Emily

Spending more quality time with loved ones, and keeping in touch more often with loved ones far away.

Although I'd love to do some reno work on our house, sew some stuff for our soon-to-be 10-month-old daughter, work on our garden, etc. ... everything CAN wait if it means spending time with important people in our lives.

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Cindy M

To plant at least four fruit trees this spring: My goal is to start an Orchard.

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Patricia

My resolution is to get more green in the garden by composting and using rain barrels.

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Liz

I plan to improve my 5k time and make permanent changes to my eating habits to make them more healthy!

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Lynda

i want to buy less material stuff, go on another cruise, and save enough money to take my family on a vacation!

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Angela

In 2011, I am resolving to live more mindfully. I want to really discover what I love and live life to the fullest.

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Denise

I would like to become a better person.

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Amber

My new year's resolution is to eat breakfast every morning. It's a concrete and easy quantifiable step I can take to lead a healthier lifestyle and hopefully lose weight!

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Betty

I have so many flaws that need to be corrected, so my resolution list is too long! First, lose some weight. I'm going to measure it in 3 month intervals. I need to exercise with weights; not just walk. Next, I need to quit using nicotine lozenges. I'm addicted. I quit smoking almost 6 yrs ago, but I can't quit the lozenges. It's almost as expensive as smoking, so if I quit, my bank account gets bigger. That takes care of number 3! My other resolutions are all work related and too boring for print! Happy New Year!!

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Nina

I am resolving to eat a healther diet.

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Guest

to be good to myself everyday and do more of what I want.

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Guest

My new years resolution: I want to care more about my family and my friends. I want to spent more time with the people that are important to me, call them, write cards for their birhdays, anniversaries, holidays instead of e-mail. Invite them into my house more often. Ask them questions about their lifes. Be with them.

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teresa turner

Spend more time with husband,he is a truck driver so we dont get that much time together

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Shelly

My resolution is to save 6 months essential expenses (not income) plus $2k. IT may take me a few years but I want to get a good chunk of it so that I'd have it if we needed it.

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kendra

as before to get back on the exercise track that I fall off of so much! thanks

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Patrick

Of the 11 resolutions/goals I have, notable ones include losing 17 lbs, running 3 5Ks and 1 10K, attaining a particular milestone for my investable assets and maxing out my 401k and Roth IRA.

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Mike Ruane

I rarely make resolutions, but this year I'm resolving to get my writing projects up off the ground.

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nicole

My resolution is to eat fruit everyday.

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Russell M

Get our new business into the black.

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Heather

We will be cutting back on spending so we can save more to remodel the new home we purchased this year.

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sarah moore

Let's see,,, going to church every sunday,, focusing my time more on God. Working out, caring more for myself, ( being that all my time and energy goes to my 16 month old son).

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KelR1

I would like to budget better and save more money so that I can travel more in 2011. I also hope to drop a few pounds by eating less junk food and exercising more.

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Guestjoni

To pay off what I can so I can retire from 32 years of factory work.

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crystle marie tellerday

to lose weight

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mom4ever

just to be at peace

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mom4ever

fb

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mom4ever

tweeted

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Tari Lawson

I don't make resoluntions per se. I do plan to continue to excercise and clean up my eating a bit. I also want to work on decluttering my house.

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princess

confront my hoarder issues!

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Laura

I resolve to be more present in the moment

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Rachel

My news years resolutions are: to stay healthy by eating right and exercising more, and to finish the PRAXIS test for school.

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Suzanna P

for 2011 i am going to work harder to pay down my debt faster

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Kate

My New Years resolution is to start a home based business so I can be there for the kids and yet still help out with the family finances

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ky2here

I'm going to be nicer to people.

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Linda

save money

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jolene

my resolution is to show people that i care about that they are appreciated more!

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Lori

I became born again this year and I want to get closer to God in 2011

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Heather S

Mine is finances and paying off bills. I am so tired of stress from money/bills.

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Ed VanEtten

Stop smoking

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Stephanie

I intend to take better care of myself this year.

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Emmy T

Always the same resolutions, get rich and skinny. This year I am putting some planning into those goals, so I can make some headway, and have next year's goals be something fun.

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Alicia Webster

I am going to try to be nice. I thought I was nice, but then I saw a video of me that was taken at a family gathering, and I came across as kind of snotty and sarcastic. Also, I am going to try to work on my diction as well. I thought that I spoke well, but my voice is high and nasally and I sound like I am 14. That's fine if you are 14, but I am 41.

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Kristin

My resolution is to be more aware of my desire to buy more stuff to try to get to the root of the dissatisfaction that urges me to buy more. I'm marrying a wonderful man this summer, and we both desire to stay off the hamster wheel of autopilot-spending.

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Jessica

Well lets see......I would like my husband to get a job. Due to the economy we had to close our family business. I would like to lose 30 pounds for good. We are also looking to move into a different home.

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Kelly Drawdy

Resolutions include - living better on less and living a healthier life.. including what we eat and how we exercise

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Adrienne Gordon

I'm going to complete a marathon

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Sweta

Lose 20 lbs
Save money
Cook at home more and pack the leftovers for lunch the next day
Buy less Groupons.

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Kathy Somerville

To be more organized.

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beth shepherd

My resolution is to pay off more debt this year.
thank you

Guest's picture
beth shepherd

tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/tatertot374/status/20210682611892224
thank you

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Donna

Try not to stress so much about my job and take my breaks/lunch

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Jessie

In 2011 I will lose 50lbs. One a week with some wiggle room.

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Lisa

I really need to lose weight to help control my Diabetes

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Christine

walk more

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Courtney S

My resolution is to eat better and exercise more.

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Crystal F

I want to work on my weight, definitely start paying down some bills and maybe get a part time job to help bring in some money. Thank you!

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Elisabeth

My goal this year is to simplify my life and also, save as much money as possible.

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kai

My new years resolution is to end 40pds by the end of the year

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Cynthia C

My resolution is to read more.

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peggy

Happy New Year! This year I resolve to do the following:
1. Lose 5 pounds
2. Increase emergency fund from 3 to 6 months expenses
3. Learn how to change the oil in my car

Guest's picture
Joel

It's a cliche, but...exercise 30min at least 3x/week. It's not the recommended 5x, but goes with the "realistic" part of SMART--I'm planning to shoot for a "soft" 5 and hit at least 3.

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Pamela Simon

My resolution is to get enough sleep.

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Kelly Smith

My resolutions include not letting the laundry run my life and take better care of my garden than i did last year and learning to can the food i grow!

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nanjhall

I am going to try to buy locally and cook more to see if we can't eliminate most of the processed food from our diet.

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Sasha

I'm going to lose 12 pounds over the first two months through restricting calories (the first few pounds are always the easiest); from there, I'm going to introduce cycling into my routine to hopefully knock of another 18 pounds by the end of the year. That's a very manageable 1.8 pounds a month over 10 months.

Lesser goals: incorporate more whole fruits and vegetables in my diet, cut out soda and grocery store juices, and grow my entire summer garden from seed (much cheaper).

Good luck everyone!

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Julie D.

My New Years resolution is to be more frugal.

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Michelle

Here's my resolution: Be confident. If I can overcome my second-guessing and fear of failure (and don't we all have some of that, really), I can accomplish anything I set my mind to: Smacking my finance issues into shape, getting my last child off to college, even finding a better-paying job. If I can make that ONE change, keep that ONE resoultion, the rest of the change will happen on its own.

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Linda

I'm going to exercise more.

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cynthia

Mine is to stick to a budget!

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addrienne mertens

liked post on FB
addrienne anny mertens

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NJJ

My goal is to save more, spend less & reduce reuse and recycle what I have

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addrienne mertens

also my resolution for 2011 is to stop eating so much junk..those dang twinkies! mmm
actually the chips is my problem.