Congratulations, we’ve made it! We closed the door on 2020 and we can finally leave it behind! 

Raise your hand if you’re keen on setting amazing New Year’s resolutions for 2021! (Me! Pick meee! Pick me!). Now show of hands if you have ever meant “Happy New Year” quite as much as we do now? (...crickets…) Don’t worry, we’re in this together!

We are all putting enormous pressure on 2021.

That’s precisely why having a clear list of goals and a plan on how to achieve them as a family is crucial. After all, people who plan together, stay together, right? In case you don’t know where to start, we’ve created a small but mighty list of very achievable goals for you and your family. Let’s do this, 2021!

New Year Resolutions for Budget-minded Families

• More. Time. Outside 🤸‍♂️ 

Did you know that 90% of the best childhood memories take place outdoors? We don’t even need to have the data to support this number since when we take a moment to reflect on our own childhood we know it’s accurate. The barefoot summers, the bonfires at camp, the nights by the lake. 

Can you say cheap and free entertainment? Parks, hikes, local festivals, picnics, movie nights, camping, date nights – everything can be done outdoors. Sure, it depends on the weather and your nearby resources, it takes a bit of planning and willpower, but the result – totally worth it. 

• Stick to your budget 💰

First things first: set a family budget. 

Make it inclusive of everyone’s real needs and make each member agree on it.

Add things like clothes, school supplies, vacation funds, groceries and house supplies, utilities, insurance, medical expenses, etc. 

When instead of a budget you go for winging it every month, you’re passing up opportunities to cut unnecessary costs and save money, so take the time to set a family budget. January is literally the best month to do it.

Step 2: take your budget seriously. 

That means saying “no” to impulsive shopping, online buying sprees or “OMG, I have to have it now” moments that cloud our judgement. 

Step 3: commit to living within your means.

This can take the form of many small mindful decisions that your family must agree on, as a whole. For example, eating out. If there’s no wiggle room for that in your established budget, it’s a no. Starting new family traditions, like planning super frugal and super healthy meals for the entire week, might not seem fun at first, but it will force you to become uber creative. Think Soup Sunday. Or colours. Need inspiration? Take a peek below:

• Set aside an emergency fund 🆘

If 2020 taught us anything, is that everything can change in a heartbeat. 

Having some money set aside for rainy days can come as a great relief for that next unexpected medical expense or car repair. 

• Reduce & reuse ♻️

This resolution will not only help save the environment, but it’s also good for your wallet as well. 

Anything from toys, furniture or decorations to phones can come with a previously owned or refurbished status. 

While it’s true that hand-me-downs are harder to embrace, especially by teens, when you score a killer saving on a buy-and-sell site or find a perfect dining table on Craigslist, it’s all worth it. 

• Simplify 🌱

On the minimalist wagon already? Good for you!

If not, we’re not going to try to push it. Instead, there are easy things you can do to eliminate clutter – physical & mental – from your life and house. For example, if you want to make a decision of buying fewer items this year, try setting a number that works for you. You might turn to your birthday for inspiration. If you’re born on the 12 of the month, you can commit to buying just 15 items this year and that is it. 

Audit time: when looking at things you own in an effort to simplify your life, don’t forget to check the utilities as well. Do you have the same cell phone plan you’ve had for five years? It’s high time to shave some money off your utility bills by switching to more affordable providers, like Tello Mobile. 

Don’t let a slip become a fall

Slip-ups happen. It’s no biggie. So factor them in.

Work with your family’s triggers and not against them. Regardless of the type of resolution you set – even if it’s an after-you-miss-your-workout resolution, get back to the proven track record you had so far. Most importantly, when it comes to family goals, remember you can be each other’s commitment device, having the added benefit of helping one another and of sharing some daily quality time.