by Robin Fiedler
Typically, it's losing weight, but surveys regarding Americans' top New Year's resolutions for 2010 involve finances as well. It seems all the stress and anxiety of a thinner wallet during a recession has made our top resolutions twofold to literally and figuratively tighten our belts. 
The economic downturn brought to light our lack of confidence, or knowledge, in handling personal finances. In an Allianz survey conducted in Dec. 2009, "When asked what type of expert professional service Americans would most like to use, 40.7 percent chose a financial expert compared to only 27.3 percent who said they wanted a personal trainer." Most of us would probably take both if we could. In the same survey, however, almost 34% felt they didn't have enough money to worry about financial planning.
That explains a Putnam survey revealing a related number-one resolution with 36% of 1,000 people surveyed in Nov. 2009 wanting to save money. "Old standbys such as 'exercise more' (34%) and 'lose weight' (34%) trail behind," but not by much. Also, Americans' optimism about the economy was apparent, with 63% believing the stock market will continue to go up and a little more than half believing the housing market will improve in 2010.
Overall, consumers claim they will spend less, but another survey conducted by Move.com placed buying a house and fixing credit as top "real estate" priorities for 2010. Motivated by the first-time home buyer's credit and lower home prices, about 18% of Americans plan to purchase a house. Another 9% plan to improve credit scores so that they can buy a house.
Even though we're planning on the usual 'lose weight' and 'live healthier' resolutions along with fixing our finances for more long-term stability, history shows that only about 30% of New Year's resolutions are successful. To stick with them, Frank Farley, a former president of the American Psychological Association, says following through on New Year's Resolutions requires writing a list "of things that are absolutely essential that you have to deal with in the coming year." He likens it to our daily tasks lists, but warns a New Year's resolution list needs to be based in more "reflective" thought "and it often isn't."
Not surprisingly, living healthier and losing weight should be in combination with relieving stress and anxiety, which increase with financial difficulties. Those who survive financial problems the best have a strong support circle of family and friends. Farley suggests that a New Year's resolution "offers a good opportunity to forgive--whether it is forgiving a grudge or an argument--and start a fresh relationship with that person." He points out that studies indicate stress and anxiety decrease when we forgive someone for past transgressions: "Getting rid of some stress and anxiety for 2010 is a healthy plan."
As the last week of 2009 fades away, many Americans will verbalize at least one New Year's resolution, but those who make a list of specific goals for personal finances, weight loss, exercise, and housing needs--and revisit it regularly while tightening those bonds with family and friends will have a higher success rate at making 2010 a kick off year for a new decade of better living. Let's do it before singing Auld Lang Syne.
Sources
"Allianz Survey on New Year's Resolutions: Americans Say the Country and its Citizens Must Focus on Finances." EarthTimes. 9 Dec. 2009.
Crosman, Penny. "Putnam Investments Survey Finds Americans Hopeful About 2010 Economy." Wall Street & Technology. 17 Dec. 2009.
"New Year's Resolutions." Temple University. 22 Dec. 2009.
Schreiber, Jana. "Move.com Survey Reveals Real Estate New Year's Resolutions." Move Trends. 1 Dec. 2009.
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