2020 New Year's Resolutions Of A Woman Entering Her 30s
It’s a new year and about damn time for a new you… right?!
I have to admit the optimistic glow of a new year really starts to lose it’s luster as you get older. Here I am 29, soon entering my thirties, and pretty much set in my ways.
But while I may not be as unrealistic with my goals for another new year, there are still several aspects of my life that could use improvement and I’m not yet ready to give up on.
Here are the ways in which I hope to improve myself and my life in the next decade ahead as a thirty-something…
1. Getting Out Of Credit Card Debt
Growing up with a credit card readily available has made learning to budget, save and stay debt free quite difficult for many young adults. While some may have it all figured out and in order by now, I still find myself in an unless cycle of credit card debt that just won’t go away.
With much reflection, it is obvious some of the mistakes I’ve made along the way as well as the ones I’m still making. While I always make my payments on time and often pay more than the minimum, I find myself falling back on a little plastic card when money runs out.
So, how do I plan to change this?
First, I need to make a more realistic budget for myself. How much am I really spending on gas and food each week? What is a reasonable spending limit for miscellaneous items? Secondly, rather than paying as much as I can towards my debts with every paycheck I need to look at the over all picture. What are my needs and wants for the next few weeks? Can what I’m budgeting cover all the essentials?
One thing I have realized over the last few years is that paying down debt while leaving little left to live on is how you stay in debt. While I would like to pay down my debts as fast as possible, I know I have wants and needs that cannot be ignored along the way.
At the same time I see how I also need to be more patient. There are so many different projects and things around the house I would like to work on but they all come with some expense. While I’d love to throw myself into these projects, it is important that I stay reasonable and within our monthly budget.
Of course a large part of my plan for getting out of debt is to throw any extra income at it. For example, my husband and I are both lucky enough to receive bonuses throughout the year. Those, along with our potential tax return, will be thrown at the cards with the highest interest rates first. As those get paid off we should hopefully be able to make larger payments on any other cards with each pay period. This of course while keeping in mind what our needs are for each month and planning accordingly.
If you have any get out of debt tips and tricks, please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
2. Finding A Side Hustle
Side hustles are seemingly becoming more and more popular these days. And why not?! They can often be a way to not only find yourself with a little extra cash but also a great outlet for the things you are the most passionate about.
I am always so inspired by creative bloggers who share with the world what they love most. They’re sharing their passions with an audience who gets it. What could be better than that?!
As of late I have been finding myself doing more and more crafts and DIY projects as I make our first house a home. So why not share what I know and how I design and make things with people who like to do the same?
This is a big reason for this blog and I can’t wait to share more of my creative side with you!
3. Making A House A Home
Of course my main content for my aspiring blog is making our first house a home. I love interior design and finding ways to do things on a budget. Getting creative with what we have while incorporating new things is what it’s all about.
Due to the lack of unlimited funds, I of course have to plan projects out one by one. And in doing so will plan what and when items can be purchased based on our budget.
My list of projects for 2020 include the following:
Master Bedroom Makeover
Basement Theater/Man Cave Upgrade
Potential Nursery Design
Small Kitchen Updates
4. Finding My Skincare Routine
I have always struggled with my skin. As a teenager it was the typical breakouts we all deal with. But for me that phase never really left.
While it could be much worse, I am also a pricker (I blame my mom). My husband is constantly telling me not to pick, but I just can’t resist. It’s one of my greatest weaknesses. This, however, has definitely had it’s toll on my skin. When I was younger my skin would bounce back fast, but as I get older I’ve noticed the marks left behind seem to stay around longer and longer.
Knowing I’m about to be thirty has also encouraged me to find good products now. Before, hearing the phrase “skincare routine” sounded like something someone far older would do. I mean I’m not fighting lines and wrinkles just yet. But I’ve come to realize everyone can benefit from good skincare. Which is why I want to work on finding the right products for my own skin. After all it is the largest organ in the body.
If you have any product recommendations, please leave them in the comments below.
