New Year's Resolutions? Being frugal, saving, hoarding, etc.

Anyone making New Year's resolutions this year? I years past I would commit to the usual, losing weight, trying to be less grumpy ( ), etc. But this year I've decided along with trying to get some weight off, I've decided to take my frugal nature to the extreme. I'm going to try and take all of my hobbies and see just what I can save throughout the year. Here is the plan:

To enter as many sweepstakes as I can find. Hopefully to be able to restock my empty prize closet.
(I'm going to clean the closet out so it's barren, only wins/prizes in the closet.) Then next Christmas I can open up the closet and see exactly what I won throughout the year. Hopefully it will be jam packed! *I will try to not use any wins/prizes for birthdays, etc. But you will if needed in a pinch.

Then I'm going to start tracking my coupon savings. I have my binder all set up and started couponing again the end of October. I consider any and all savings, such as buying things on clearance/mark down, sale items that I get using store buying cards, etc.

I also want to put any money I get from doing surveys/market research into my PayPal account. Once my credit card payments are made then whatever is left will sit there.

A dear friend gave me a $50 credit at Amazon and I had $20 from a market research thing that I did. I have another $5 coming from playing at winster right now. So I want to sit on anything that I get in Amazon. Will make for some nice online Christmas shopping next year. It's a good start, I think.

I love to paint and do crafts. My latest 'interest' is making 'bottle bugs'. Once I get my technique down I have plans on making them for Christmas presents for everyone or can give them as presents throughout the year. It's a great way to recycle! And they are pretty darn cute too! Hopefully I can get at least a few paintings done that I can gift throughout the year also.

I also plan to find as many freebies online and through my couponing. Once I have a nice stockpile of items I have plans on making everyone a gift basket for presents next year. (I did one for my son and DIL this year and they loved it. I put everything from Mac/Cheese to shampoo to toothpaste and fire starters in their basket.)

With people hurting because of the economy I think a lot of people are going to be forced to be more frugal. Personally, I've always tried to get the most for my money. So keeping track of wins, freebies, coupons, etc will help me to see exactly how much I've saved throughout the year. It's a necessity right now for us, and it should be kinda fun.

What New Year's resolutions do you have? Are you tightening down the purse strings?

The Scribbler

In Feb or March I will be cutting down to part time @ work (this old body can't take full time at what I do anymore) that is unless they tell me I can't. So I will be putting in more time on my sweeps (last yr I didn't do much so not many win's), my points programs and surveys. Also I luv freebies. Very seldom do I buy anything that isn't on sale or clearance and if I do I usually have a coupon, so I'm going to continue that.

Considering I have ton's of craft stuff I was thinking about doing a few craft fair's this year. Santa brought me a new sewing machine (no I'm not very good ~lol~) but my plans are to make those draft stoppers that slide under the door and give protection from each side. Thought I'd practice with the ones for my house then once i get better use them for the craft sales.

Pam

Looks like we have lots on common Pam! Love the draft stoppers idea. I've seen those on tv, even noted that they look pretty easy to make. I looked up some ideas on the internet and they have some really cute draft stopper patterns. I use to make door stoppers out of bricks! When all done up they look like little beds, just the cutest things. I'll have to take a pic and post it of the one that I have keeping my bedroom door open. I also did the little aprons that you put on your dish soap bottles, they always got big raves. I have a sewing machine but hubby tends to do more sewing than I do. I seem to muck up anything that I try to sew on it. LOL

Keep us posted on your frugal adventures, would love to hear of everyone's deals and finds.

The Scribbler

I bought a set of these before having the idea to make my own. They use solid foam tubes but I bought some at big lots that are hollow I'm going to make one and see if it works as good as the one I bought. If they do I estimate the cost to be $2 and that can be even less if the stuff is bought on clearance or thrift stores (another one of my fav. places to shop).

I'm not big on sewing either, my old machine was used mostly to hem my son's pants when he was younger.....this new one looks like it does everything but cook dinner. Guess it's time to start.

My New Years Resolution is always to lose some weight, it would
be nice to never have to have that one again!
I always think I am frugal, most of the year anyway, hubby only
works 5 to 5 1/2 months a year, so I have to save enough
in that time for us to live the next 6 to 7 months. But this
year my goal is to save even more, I think times are going to get
even harder than right now.
Also I want to get more organized, this was my resolution last year
too, and I did pretty good, now I want to get better.

JanJ, what stores do you shop at there in Alaska? Do they have pharmacies like CVS? Walgreen's? Do you have a Target around? Or Kmart? Or Walmart? When I picture where you live it's out in the middle of nowhere where you have to put on your snowshoes to walk twenty miles to the nearest neighbor. LOL I am going to try and work on the coupon section of the boards soon. So hopefully we can get you into saving on your grocery bills.....

The Scribbler

This year I told myself it would be nice to loose weight ('cause I sure need to).....but if I do I do and if I don't .... oh well. Maybe I'll do better that way.
Being organized ... well my kitchen is and the section I have for a pantry in the basement is. It's really my desk area that I need to work on....funny though when I do clean it and have it organized I can't find anything.
I also have wondered about the kind of stores most shop at in Alaska. I think like you Kelly....20 miles to the nearest neighbor and the store is a little trading post.

Hope everyone is having a great week.