It's a fact.  Nearly half of American adults make New Year's resolutions year-after-year, and most of these individuals have already forgotten or given up on them 6 month's in.  So, what can you do to increase your chances of success?  We have compiled a few tips, but first, here are some of the most common resolutions:

 

Taking place between February 1, 2009 - February 28, 2009 is Black History Heritage Month at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis, a month-long event that is well worth checking out firsthand.

Christmas is honestly my favorite time of year. I think its sickening how commercialized and materialized this season of giving has become though. Weeks before Thanksgiving the Salvation Army already has bell ringers glued to each entry and exit way of grocery stores, Kmarts and Walmarts. It's a big guilt trip going into the store for your already chopped down grocery list and having to feel like crap when you have no extra money to put in those stupid red buckets. Trust me, I'm for charity, I just think it is twisted how a lot of people I speak to feel the same way about the Salvation Army bell ringers. Its not that we aren't charitable people, its just that we are already struggling to make ends meet and alongside of paying Uncle Sam every extra dime we get, bell ringers make you feel guilty that you should also give up every last penny you have.

I, along with several friends, have resorted to the ‘don't leave your car unless you successfully managed to get someone else on the other line' course of action. This way, we appear distracted when we walk by the bell ringers and don't look heartless and at the same time we don't feel as guilty as we would if we would just walk past them and avoid eye contact. I always smile and nod, though. I give props to those who do charity work. I spent about a year and half doing charity work myself and I know how under appreciated those folks are.

 

 

With the degrading US economy, job losses, dying local businesses, and the like, it must be difficult for many individuals to make ends meet, much less splurge on unneeded luxuries and expensive nights out on the town.  I am not so sure that will be changing dramatically any time real soon either, though only time will tell.  With that said, I think a lot of people are changing their "way of thinking" on many different aspects, especially with regards to where the hard-earned dollar goes.  For example, when gas was $.95 a gallon (some of you may remember when it was much lower than that, but not I), it didn't matter as much if your method of transportation was a "gas-guzzling" SUV, Honda Civic, or the Metrolink, as it just didn't cost as much.  Now all of a sudden, auto makers are rushing to make these "new ideas" (electric cars, hybrids, alternative fuels) work well and get them to market - I guess it's better now than never though, as I don't see gasoline getting back to <$1/gallon.