New Year’s Resolution: I Will Save Money, Part 2…

Yes, you WILL save money in 2009. Here are more New Year’s Resolution ideas that could save you hundreds of dollars in the coming year.

Jump On The DIY Bandwagon

There are a ton of things we take for granted as things we have to get done by someone else. But, with a little research and patience, you could actually start doing them yourself and save yourself a LOT of money. Here’s a few:

Car Maintenance
Check and change your car’s oil all by yourself. Yep, you really don’t have to go to the shop to do this. And that A/C filter-change mentioned in our previous segment? You could also do that yourself if you wanted to. Check an informal class catalog or your local community college for courses on car maintenance. I admit, I’ve wanted to learn car mechanics for a while, so I love this idea. But, if you aren’t really interested and are perfectly fine with your mechanic, read on.

Beautifying Treatments
Make your local drugstore your new weeknight hotspot. Start doing your manicures and pedicures at home. If that idea sounds lame and sad, make a night of it and pop a season of Sex and the City into your DVD! Or call your friends over so it’s fun. This one little change will save you hundreds of dollars a year. And when it comes to the clothes and hair, we’ve got you covered.

Gardening
Again, another project that might be enjoyable if you have an interest in it. Gardeners love the hobby because it allows you to connect with nature, reduces stress, and it actually burns off a little bit of calories if you get really into it. Plus, at the end, your lawn looks beautiful. If you want to take on landscaping by yourself, you’ll save a lot of money on monthly landscaping bills.

And remember, you don’t have to think of these changes in extremes. My brother and his wife took on a huge landscaping project on their own, and they ended up getting in over their heads with it. They ended up hiring contractors to finish the really tough parts of the project, but with the combination of their own hard work and the expertise of contractors, they were able to save a significant amount of money on a very worthwhile project. They’re backyard was rewarded a natural habitat and has been nominated to be in several home and garden publications.

So, don’t sweat it if you aren’t up to pretending your Bob Vila in 2009. Even if you adopt some of these habits just half of the time, you’ll still save money. Stay tuned for more ideas for money-saving habits for 2009.