Don’t make your money habits part of a New Year’s resolution.

The truth is by about the end of January most people are O.V.E.R. their New Year’s resolutions, and right back at their old habits, routines and ways of doing things. Then the year slips by, and by October/November the holidays gear back up, and by the end of the year you are promising yourself something different for 2015.

Yep, sounds about right. But 2014 can be different.

I’m not going to spend much time selling you on this idea. Here is a quick list to help you get started on changing your money habits. Pick one and work it, work it, work it, until you’ve got it! Then pick another. One a month would be great, but just one is better than zero.

Let’s get started:

$ Simplify ~ Definition: to reduce to basic essentials. What do we really need? A clean, safe place to live, food, water, sanitation, lights. All the rest can be looked at as extras, add-ons. These extras can become money drains, energy drains, time drains. Take a look around and start deciding what will get you where you want to be and what needs to leave. As for budgeting ~ KEEP IT SIMPLE.

$ Organize ~ Have a system to handle paperwork. Keep it simple. From mailbox to final resting place, your mail should not overwhelm you. If you don’t go through it right away, then have a set landing-place. Then separate. If you find that you have a large ‘to look at later pile’ rethink that. All bills should be placed in a spot where you will be paying bills and after payment will be filed. Files can be in broad categories: house, car, health, receipts or by month. Some paperwork will be more permanent: long-term contracts, instructions, items that carryover from year to year. Have a separate file for these long-term items.

$ Awareness ~ For most of us, our basic monthly expenses don’t vary much month to month. Start a basic budget for these items: house, car, health, groceries. Then pay close attention to your miscellaneous spending. For a week track your miscellaneous spending. Then try a second week. Before you stop tracking, sit down and really look at where your money is going. Most people are surprised how much money they spend over a month on miscellaneous items.

$ Opportunity ~ Start looking for opportunities to increase your income and decrease your expenses.

$ Practice ~ Do you know how you become good at something? There are three keys. Here they are: You must PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Spend a little time everyday focusing on what you want to create and letting go of what does not serve you. A financially fantastic life and wealthy living is waiting for you.

Welcome to The Open Gate…come on in!