Have you ever put an old chestnut like “save more” or “spend less” on your list of New Year’s resolutions? I’ve done it, too, with results undetectable by the most precise financial calculator.

Instead, here’s a top ten list (in traditional David Letterman order) of concrete resolutions you can actually accomplish. I’m not saying they’ll be easy, but all of these are either on my list for 2010 or are resolutions I’ve successfully completed in years past. Pick a couple of favorites and go to town on them. Happy new year.

10. Make or update your will. The number one reason people don’t do this is that they believe they will never die. If you are, in fact, immortal, go ahead and skip this one. Otherwise, if you have a simple estate, you can make a will on the cheap: get Nolo’s Simple Will Book or use their Online Tool for $70 (and it’s on sale for $50 until January 7). If you have a complex estate (do you employ a chauffeur with a name like Worthington?), get a lawyer and remember the first rule of estate planning: don’t forget a little something for your personal finance columnist.

9. Set up an automatic savings plan, if you don’t already have one. Even $5 a week is a fine place to start. SmartyPig works well for this. Pick a specific goal, check your progress periodically, and don’t mess with it—except to increase the weekly allotment.

8. Get rid of useless crap. No time like the present

7. Start a business. Hmm, that sounds too ambitious. Instead, start a side project that happens to be tax-advantaged. And start small. It could be selling crafts on Etsy, any kind of shop or repair work (I sharpen knives, for example), or even freelance writing. Go legit—get your city business license and file Schedule C. Why? Even if you don’t itemize, business expenses are tax-deductible. It’s fun to get paid (even a little) for something you enjoy. And if you become un- or underemployed, having an existing side business gives you something to focus on. Which brings us to…

6. Simulate bad news. Armies and city governments run disaster simulations. You can play the home game, the financial equivalent of testing your smoke alarm. Are you doing enough to prevent an emergency or life change from becoming a financial disaster? (Oh my God, I totally sound like an insurance salesman.) This year, evaluate your insurance, your emergency fund, and your family’s plans in the event of job loss, natural disaster, death or illness, and other bad things. This will not be fun, but you know what would be less fun? Doing it during the actual emergency.

5. Plan for financial good news. Now, this is more like it! Here’s hoping you get a raise, bonus, or inheritance this year. It’s about damn time, right? (I mean, not that I’m actively hoping you get an inheritance. Unless it’s from a rich uncle you never met.) Furthermore, here’s hoping you spend some of it on fun and some of it on long-term goals. Decide now. It’ll take you five minutes. What percent of any unexpected income will you set aside for retirement or the emergency fund this year?

4. Talk to your relatives about a gift moratorium. I know, sounds like negotiating with North Korea. But if you do raise the idea, do it in the summer—far from winter holidays and not too close to anyone’s birthday—and make the terms clear (maybe children and handmade gifts are excluded from the cease-fire, say). Explain that it’s not because you don’t love getting presents, but because you’re taking charge of your financial situation and find it hard not to spend on your wonderful siblings and cousins and uncles without making a pact. Oh, if my parents are reading this, next year I’d like a stocking full of candy and a donation to my favorite charity. And a chauffeur. Kidding!

3. Look into Roth IRA conversion. As of 2010, there’s no longer an income limit for converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. (If you couldn’t convert to a Roth in the past because you made over $100,000, congratulations.) Converting your traditional IRA (or an old 401k or 403b) to a Roth may or may not be the right move for you—talk to your financial adviser—but if you’re even considering it, you’ll need to think about where the money will come from to pay the tax on the conversion. Good news: you can pay the taxes over the course of two years.

2. Take a nice vacation. You’ve earned it. Just one rule: you have to pay cash, and you have to save up the cash with the vacation in mind. This year we’re taking a family vacation to Japan; we’ve been planning and saving for it since 2007. If you follow through on this resolution, do me two favors: have a great time and don’t invite me over to watch your slide show.

1. Don’t buy a house. Okay, maybe this one is just for me. Have you ever saved up for something and then realized you didn’t want it anymore? For years, my wife and I have been socking away money every month into our down payment fund. And it’s getting awfully close to our goal. Due in part to the housing collapse, however, we have completely lost interest in buying a house. So one of our resolutions for this year is to determine how to reallocate that money—probably to beef up our retirement savings and emergency fund. Although, come on, how much can a chauffeur cost? Seriously, that much? Never mind.

Matthew Amster-Burton, author of the book Hungry Monkey, writes on food and finance from his home in Seattle.

With just a couple of days left to complete your holiday shopping, you’d better make sure you know how to shop smart and aren’t wasting time and or money. Here are some quick tips that can help get you through those last few stressful hours.

DO: Make a Plan Overspending during the holidays is easy to do when you don’t have a plan. Take a few minutes and plan for everything you will need to spend money on this season from gifts to decor to travel. Mint.com can help you figure out how much to safely spend, without a holiday hangover in January.

DO: Ditch the Department Store Off-price retails like TJ Maxx and Marshalls are bigger than ever. They offer the same on-trend brand name merchandise found in department stores and boutiques for 20-60% less. You’ll find everything from designer clothing for the entire family and to gourmet food items and kitchen utensils to small electronics, books and DVD’s along with the hottest toys.

DON’T: Shortchange the Garbage Man This year, according to the NRF (National Retail Federation) American families will spend an average of $682.74 on holiday gifts. However the majority fear this is not enough leading 70% of consumers considering cutting their list with the service sector and garbage man (54%) topping the list.

DO: Be Efficient Cutting back does not mean you have to go without. Instead find ways to save doing all the things you love to do during the holiday season. Try investing in decorative lights that have energy saving light bulbs; consider purchasing an artificial tree that can be used every year or if you prefer a real tree, scale down the size this year to save money.

DON’T: Sacrifice Quality It may seem like you’re getting a deal when discount stores offer multiple items for a low price. But many times those items were manufactured to sell at that low price and the items will not stand the test of time. Instead spend a few dollars more to invest in quality – it will save you money down the road.

DO: Have Happy Holidays

Farnoosh Torabi is a personal finance author, expert and television personality. In 2008 she published “You’re So Money – Live Rich Even When You’re Not,” a tell-all for young adults searching for financial independence and can currently be seen on SoapNet’s new series “Bank of Mom and Dad,” coaching young women struggling with piles of debt.

Photo: J. McPherson

December means fuller social calendars, fuller bellies, and, for most of us, emptier wallets. You’d probably love to have a festive party, but the impending financial stress of such an event may numb the joy, or dissuade you from throwing something altogether.

We’ve asked two of the country’s most accomplished professional party planners for their tricks to throwing a successful bash without painful monetary investment. TV personality Joanne Weir authored Weir Cooking in the City: More than 125 Recipes and Inspiring Ideas for Relaxed Entertaining among other entertainment-oriented books, and Bibby Gignilliat began honing the art of the party long before she launched her first party planning company, Gourmet Gatherings, in 1999. She now owns Parties That Cook!, creating corporate team building cooking events and cooking class parties in San Francisco.

These innovative women both have a reputation for throwing top notch, elegant fêtes, yet they’ve recently had to adjust their party-throwing strategies as a result of the economic downturn. Here’s how they’ve found the path to indulgent, affordable entertaining, just in time for the holiday season.

Booze on a Budget

“It’s definitely the year for prosecco,” remarks Weir, referring to champagne’s sparkling cousin. This Italian wine provides better flavor than champagne at an affordable price point. “It’s the way to bring festive bubbles into your party without spending too much.”

“Boxed wine also deserves a second look,” says Weir. “My personal favorite is Black Box Wines. I empty the bag into a decanter, which looks elegant.”

Pot Lucks: Always in Season

It may seem simple, but sticking with seasonal ingredients is a great way to save money and keep the class factor high. “If you buy tomatoes in December, they’re coming from Mexico,” says Gignilliat. “They’re not going to taste great and are way more expensive than persimmons, pears, apples, and pomegranates, which are all relatively affordable and delicious this time of year.”

Gignilliat also strongly recommends pot lucks and buffets. “Everyone is always asking what they can bring to a dinner party. Pick a theme for guests to work from so the party feels instantly pulled together.”

Both experts also buy in bulk when appropriate. “You can find great quality proteins at Costco,” says Weir. “I buy a huge chunk of manchego cheese and serve from it throughout the holiday season.”

Weir loves this Spanish sheep’s cheese because it has become affordable, and a lot of people don’t know what it is. “Manchego is almost always a conversation starter.”

Impressive Edible Greetings

As much as we’d love to get all Julia on our guests, expensive, labor-intensive dishes are not in the cards for your budget friendly fête.

“We’re in an age where easy, healthful, and simple is chic,” says Weir. Her favorite elegant suggestions, requiring minimal sweat and dough follow:

Warm a mix of olive types with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of crushed red pepper in a sauté pan. Serve in small bowls as a pre-dinner snack.
Roast whole raw almonds in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes. Toss with Kosher salt, a touch of olive oil, and some citrus zest.
Make your own gourmet chips by toasting pita bread in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Provincial Panache

“Think peasant food but serve it in elegant bowls or plates,” says Weir, who buys top round, bottom round, or chuck beef and braises it with red wine, onion, carrots, tomato, parsley, mint, thyme, bay leaf, and Savory Choice stock.”

When done, Weir blends the strained vegetables and herbs in a food processor with some Parmesan, then serves atop pasta as a starter. She plates everything in pretty serveware, including the beef roast with a simple side of sautéed broccoli tops as the second course. “It’s a jaw-dropping, amazingly-affordable, two course meal.”

For dessert, Gignilliat swears by her homemade version of soft caramel spread, dulce de leche, when she’s tight on funds. She removes the label from a can of sweetened condensed milk and places it in boiling water for two to three hours, replacing the water as it boils off. “You get the most delicious, authentic dulce de leche,” she says.

Not only does Gigniliat give this, placed in a mason jar with ribbon, as a hostess gift, she also tosses the warmed spread with sliced apples, pears, and cranberries, then tops it with crushed amaretti cookies for a beautiful, super-cheap finale to holiday meals.

Set the Stage

It may seem like a challenge to fancify your home or apartment without investing a hundo for that Christmas tree you’ve been eyeing.

“There are so many ways to create décor drama with things you probably already have around the house,” promises Weir.

One of her favorite table toppers is actually a collection of all the candles she has at home. She places them in a cluster at the center of the serving table with the largest ones at the center, then lights them when it’s time to eat. “I also up the ‘wow’ factor by placing additional candles in unexpected places like the bathroom and the hallway.”

Both Weir and Gignilliat eschew flowers immediately when looking to save. “Flowers are expensive and only last a few days,” says Weir. “I forage instead. You can find amazing things in your backyard or on your block if you just look. I use bowls of persimmons or pomegranates as accents throughout the house, and fallen branches make for wonderful table runners.”

Get the Party Started

Gignilliat pulls out games to make for epic events. She’s had the most success with these:

Place a question under everyone’s plate that they have to answer at the end of the meal. Questions can range from the light-hearted (What’s your feeling on double dipping?) to the serious (What was the toughest thing you went through over the past year?).

Ask guests to write down the first two sentences of their autobiography and place it in a bowl in the center of the table. Read sentences periodically throughout dinner and have guests guess who wrote what.

Place the names of famous individuals on sticky labels and put one on each guest’s forehead. Ask people to walk around the party and ask yes-or-no questions of fellow guests to determine who they are.

“These activities get everyone laughing, crying and don’t cost a thing,” said Gignilliat. “After over thirteen years in this industry, I’ve realized fancy food items and expensive entertainment aren’t what make a party work. It’s these fun experiences that bring everyone together.”

Americans lead the world in charitable contributions, giving $300 billion a year to charities. Sounds like a lot right? But this is just a drop in the bucket compared to the over One Trillion Dollars needed to keep US charities in operation, more than the US government collects in taxes. The rest comes from their own assets, government support, and foreign investment. Our visual guide to giving shows who’s paying and offers some tips on how to pick a charity of your own.

For more personal finance visualizations see: WallStats.com

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Thanksgiving is a tradition that dates back to before the formation of the United States of America but most people know less about its origins than they think. Did you know that, contrary to popular belief, the first Thanksgiving on our shores was celebrated with Indians but not with Pilgrims and took place in what is now West Texas not in Plymouth Mass? Or that, not only was President Abraham Lincoln responsible for freeing the slaves, he also revived a tradition of thanksgiving that had been dormant for 45 years. And I’ll bet you think Columbus discovered America? So after you’ve stuffed your face with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, you can use the facts & facts in our infographic to really talk turkey with the family.

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Photo: nigel@hornchurch

If you’re lacking one X chromosome, shopping is probably not your thing. So stop pretending you’re good at it or trying to convince your other half you actually enjoy it. Let’s view it as a necessary evil that must be done. And since it must be done, it’s best to get it over with quickly. We’ll show you how you can start now and be done a month ahead of time.

When it comes to holiday shopping you should set two goals for yourself:

Get it over with as quickly as possible.
Don’t bury yourself in credit card debt.

Think about the cost of haphazard, disorganized holiday shopping. If you put $1,000 worth of holiday shopping on a credit card and then only make the minimum payment every month, it would take more than eight years to pay it off. By the time you pay off that year’s gifts, Call of Duty II is going to look like Space Invaders. So follow these steps to getting your shopping done by December 1st without spending a small fortune.

November 23rd: Make a spending plan.

Break up your purchasing into four categories

Girlfriend/wife
Friends/family
Business associate/clients/customers
Non-gift spending – food for parties, booze, decorations.

Allocate a dollar amount you’re comfortable with and try to stick as close as possible to those limits. Over the next few days, keep a running tally of the amount you spend so you stay aware of your limit. Also, keep in mind these tips:

Lower expectations. To certain people, suggest not exchanging gifts this year or drop hints that you’ve been too busy to shop. That way, when you present them with their gift (which might be somewhat less expensive this year) they’ll be surprised at how thoughtful you are.
Don’t go overboard on the new girlfriend. She might be history in two months and you’ll still be paying off that bangle bracelet three girlfriends later. Wives are a different story of course.
Don’t forget business associates and clients. If you don’t usually buy for them, you should start. People remember small acts of generosity and you’ll be paid back in full eventually. Think of it as an investment.

November 24th: Reconnaissance

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving is a great night to visit stores to gather information. Head to the mall, the big box stores (Wal-Mart, Target), and the membership stores (Costco, BJs) if you belong to one.

Your goal here is to jot down 2 or 3 ideas for each person on your list and then write down the price of each item. Don’t buy anything yet.

November 25th: The Internet

Now you can check the prices of the items you’ve identified against other stores and websites. Sometimes you’ll find the same item cheaper at a different store.
Sometimes the internet will be as cheap or cheaper and offer free shipping. (Amazon.com offers free shipping on many purchases over $25). If that’s the case, then head to shopping cart. The goal isn’t to find the perfect gift (usually there’s no such thing). It’s to find a good gift at the best price.

Also, scour the papers and circulars (or online) for Black Friday deals. Some of the bigger stores have already released their doorbuster specials (those are the ones where you risk getting trampled by the other budget-conscious freaks at 5 AM the morning after Thanksgiving). Check out http://www.black-friday.net/.

November 27th: Black Friday

If you see something that jumps out at you then get up early and jump into the fray. If you’re shopping for electronic gadgets (camcorders, laptops, video games, TVs) then Black Friday morning might be your deal.

Between Black Friday and your online shopping the day before, you should be halfway finished.

November 28th: Pull the Trigger

If you’re not halfway finished this morning, then you need to be more than that by the end of the day. Review your list again. You know those people who are hard to buy for? They don’t get any easier between today and December 24th.

Keep in mind:

· Avoid service contracts. Electronics and jewelry stores will try to sell you some kind of warranty that will fix the item if it breaks. They’re usually not worth it.
· Avoid using department store cards. The interest rate on those cards is usually much higher than your traditional VISA. If they are offering a discount for signing up for a card when you bring your purchases to the counter, only take advantage if the savings are big and if you can pay off the balance when you get your first statement. Otherwise, the amount of interest you’ll end up paying will wipe out any discount they give you.

November 29th: Discount Liquors

You’re going to be invited to parties so you should bring a bottle of wine when you go. You might be hosting a party yourself. You might want to give out a bottle or two of wine or good Scotch to those special clients. You’ve got Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, the college Bowl season, and the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl right around the corner.

Let’s be honest. By early February, your liver’s going to feel like it took a few shots from that girl on the University of New Mexico’s soccer team. Since you’re probably not going to cut back on the booze, you can at least save a few bucks by buying in bulk. It’s worth it to drive the extra 30 minutes to an hour to the nearest discount liquor store or beer warehouse for a case of wine, a couple cases of beer, and good bottles of liquor. For some of you that means driving to a different state but the savings could be substantial and more than pay for the extra gas and time.

November 30th: Wrap it Up

Like we said, you’re not trying to find the perfect gift. Just a good one. If you haven’t found what you consider good then just buy one that’s acceptable.

If it’s for a wife/girlfriend then it’s got to be jewelry. It’s got to be earrings, a bracelet or a necklace. Go to a decent jewelry store or department store (Costco has a fine selection) with your price range in mind and pick something that’s not too large and gaudy.

Friends/relatives get books that are somewhat related to a subject they have an interest in. Clients/business associates get booze unless you know they have religious qualms about it or are recovering alkys. Then it’s a fancy selection of candy they can put in a dish if they have a party.

December 1st: You’re Done

Now you can enjoy the whole month of December without that nagging task hanging over your head. You can even start paying off any charges you made. So you don’t have to go through your annual January tradition of opening your credit card statements and puking. Go out and buy some white lights. Hang them around your doors and window. They’re cheap. And they look good.

The Quick Holiday Shopping Guide for Guys Provided by AskMen.

Just because the economy is tanking, doesn’t mean the party is over. Entertaining at home is less expensive than you might think. These simple money saving tips will help you throw a great party for less than you’d spend on a big night on the town.

1. Go casual. If you think you need Champagne and caviar to have a good time, think again. A less formal affair encourages your guests to relax and have fun. It’s the difference between a Superbowl party and New Year’s Eve. Forget sit down affairs, go for finger food and wine. Decide on the budget you feel comfortable with and plan accordingly. Evite’s party budget estimator is a great way to figure out where and how to spend your money wisely.

2. Pick the right wines. Skip expensive cocktails and serve a choice of approachable and affordable red and white wines that will go with almost anything you serve. A Chardonnay that is mildly oaky will pair well with anything caramelized. “Toasted loves toasted,” says David Katz, Chef and Managing Partner of Pane Vino. Toasted bread, nuts or caramelized onions all make fine matches with a balanced Chardonnay. For a red wine, Katz recommends choosing something medium weight like Pinot Noir. Mirassou Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fit the bill nicely and are around $10 each. Other food friendly and budget friendly choices include a crisp Rosé or a sparkling Spanish Cava.

3. Know when to splurge and when to save. Some ingredients are worth the extra cash. Katz recommends saving when it comes to blue cheese with a domestic supermarket brand, but splurging on sliced to order imported prosciutto. Buying from a deli means you’ll end up with thinner slices and save in the long run. Wrap slices of prosciutto around Italian bread sticks for a quick and savory bite.

4. Prep in advance. Many great appetizers can be made in advance. Blue cheese mousse can be made days ahead then piped or spooned onto vegetables before the party starts. Meatballs made from any inexpensive ground meat or turkey found on sale can be made then frozen and reheated. Spiced toasted nuts can also be made hours before your guests arrive. End your party with a selection of homemade cookies and brownies, ice cream optional.

5. Get friends involved. Have a friend who knows something about wine? Ask them to bring a few of their favorite house reds. Is one of your pals a great cook? Get them to make an appetizer or dessert. Encouraging your friends to help out gives them a chance to take a more active role in the party, takes the pressure off of you as host and helps spread the financial burden more equitably as well.

Most importantly, make your party easy and relaxed. Stuffy parties that break the bank are no fun. Chances are, if you’re having a good time, your guests will too!

Amy Sherman is a San Francisco–based writer, recipe developer, and restaurant reviewer. Visit her blog at Cooking with Amy

Budget help is something that we care about here at Mint. Learn more with great budget help tips in our blog article index.

It’s safe to assume that Daryl and Mary thought it was an April’s Fool joke when they first got our email saying they’d won our Holiday Spending Hangover budget help contest – but they believe it now! Please join us in congratulating our two Grand Prize winners:

• The Best Story prize went to “All you Need is Love…and a lot of Money” written by Mary B. of Somerville, Massachusetts. Hers is an epic tale including marriage, babies, moving, and a journey across America’s highways. We can’t wait for the movie.
• Daryl B. of San Francisco has won Best Video with his entry entitled “Daddy Need New Shoes” a lively tale of his whole family’s efforts to make the holidays bright for the kids, even though times are tough.

Check out these and many other creative entries at http://contest.mint.com.

We launched the “Holiday Spending Hangover” contest in January to help people share their debt-ache stories and get some encouragement to get on top of their finances in 2008 (read more here). Thousands of site visitors voted to determine the top ten stories and the top ten videos. Those entries were then judged by a panel of experts including J.D. Roth of Get Rich Slowly and Andy Williams of InCharge^® Debt Solutions on their originality, creativity, humor and relevance to the contest theme to determine the two Grand Prize winners. Daryl and Mary each received more than $3,500 in cash, and will receive free credit counseling provided by InCharge^® Debt Solutions, Inc., a leading U.S. credit counseling organization.

Mint.com thanks all of you who submitted and voted on a great collection of stories and videos. We encourage everyone interested in better managing their expenses to visit us at www.mint.com: it’s the fresh, free, and easy way to manage and save money online!

Further Reading on the Topic:

Budget Help

Budget Tracking Software

Online Budget Tracking

Have the holidays left you juggling your finances, scrambling to get out of debt or back on budget? Well, fear not, for the combination of the sub-prime fallout and bank competition has been bad news for bank investors but may be good news for you. Financial institutions are currently offering attractive high-yield savings accounts and low interest rate credit cards to attract more customers and accumulate more of their money. This creates a golden opportunity to reduce the cost of your debt right now, and buys you time to pay down your debt. Now could be a good time to start personal expenses tracking:

1. Transfer any Balances to a Lower Interest Credit Card. Market conditions mean that there are a slew of 0% interest rate credit cards available today. Many cards offer this “teaser” rate for up to 12 months, with no annual fee to worry about. While this does not reduce your overall debt, it does save you from accruing costly interest for the next year, buying you time to pay down your debt. It also has the advantage of consolidating your debt, giving you a single statement to manage. Here are two options to consider:

1. Negotiate a Lower Interest Rate with your Current Lender(s). Ask for a lower interest rate or the best “new customer” deal from your current card providers. Competition for your debt is fierce, and the cost to the bank of losing you is usually more than the expense of reducing your interest rate. For more guidance on the best negotiation tactics, read Three Ways to Ask for More Money.

1. Consider (carefully) leveraging your Home Equity. If you have equity in your home, you might consider using a home equity loan to pay off your credit cards. This is not for everyone. But given the typically lower interest rates offered on these loans, it might be a smart option to reduce your interest costs. Tread carefully here, however, and consult a pro before taking this step.

Once you’ve reduced the cost of your debt to a minimum level, you have to focus on reducing that debt burden. Mint suggests a four step approach:

1. Decide which Debt to Pay Down First. In the ideal world, you ought to pay down the debt with the highest interest rate (a nod to compound interest) first, regardless of balance. But the Snowball Method, popularized by Dave Ramsey, says the opposite and encourages you to payoff lower balances first. Psychologically, this approach makes it easier for you to get some quick wins and possibly gain the motivation to continue paying off the rest of your debt. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the Snowball Method might be right for you.
2. Set up Automatic Payments. This is a great way to ensure that you consistently pay down debt first, with the remaining money representing your new budget for your day-to-day expenses.
3. Yes, Tighten your Belt. It may sound simple, but until you’re out of debt you should be reducing or eliminating dinners out, travel or even that new gadget you’ve been eyeing. Think of the interest you’re paying now as a recurring expense that increases the overall cost of everything you’re buying. You’ll only be making it worse by continuing to spend more than you earn.
4. Get Better Organized in 2008. Understanding where your money is actually going is perhaps the most important first step to reducing your debt, preceding all the others. We designed Mint.com with the needs of the person striving to reduce or eliminate debt in mind. That’s why we made it easy for you to:
   1. See every transaction across your multiple accounts in one central place
   2. Set up budgets for the couple of categories you’ll want to watch most closely to get back on track
   3. And set up email or text alerts to let you know if your spending is exceeding those targets
   4. Find ways to save on bank interest and fees, as well as typical monthly bills.
   5. Use personal money management software like Mint to help track your spending.

   Sign up today!

And lastly: stay calm and keep your sense of humor. You are not alone in feeling under water. If you need any reassurance, please check out our Holiday Spending Hangover Contest (in preview now until its 1/31 launch). You’ll probably find that the stories submitted there sound familiar to you. Submit your own story and, who knows, you might win $5,000 yourself! That could represent a big step out of debt in 2008.

Is there a debt reduction idea we’ve missed? Please comment to let us know.

Further Reading on the Topic:

Personal Expenses Tracking

Personal Money Management Software

Free Money Manager

Money saving tips are something that we love here at Mint. Learn more with great money saving tips in our blog article index.

This year, instead of buying friends and family lots of material goods that they may or may not like or return, consider giving each other the gift of time. It’s not only less expensive, but can yield a much higher “return”. Here is a money saving tip: Do some greater good in the world by organizing a volunteer event with friends, family or co-workers (i.e. in place of that tired “secret Santa” gift exchange you may do each year).

Mint’s Point of View

When your family volunteers together, you demonstrate the importance of caring for others. By volunteering with family or friends, you’ll meet new people, learn new skills, strengthen bonds, and make a difference in other people’s lives. You also can’t help but become more appreciative of what you have. And when you consider that there are 3.5 million homeless people in the U.S. (1.4 million of them are kids), another 3 million more people in hospitals and retirement homes, and thousands of families disrupted due to military service this year — you probably have a lot to be grateful for. Why not “give back” by giving your time this season…and save some money by doing so?

Action Plan

Once you’ve sold the idea to your soon-to-be able group of volunteers:

1. Make a list of organizations you’d like to work with.
2. Set some guidelines: Do you prefer being outdoors, animals, assisting the elderly, helping the homeless, working with your hands? How much time can you spend?
3. Contact your target organizations to find out what volunteering projects they may have.
4. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few Web sites that will match you up with appropriate volunteer opportunities.

The Holiday Project is a national, non-profit organization in 31 states focused on spending the holidays with people in hospitals and nursing homes. Ways to participate include visiting with the elderly, making and wrapping gifts, managing and organizing events, and contributing cash and goods. For group visits, you choose the facility, setup, and manage visits with the help of the Holiday Project staff.

Network for Good is one of the leading Internet-based resources for donors, volunteers, and charities. They provide a search tool for volunteers to find opportunities based on their interests and geographic location, or to search for organization by name. It also provides searches for individual or group volunteer opportunities. Through the site, you can even volunteer abroad, keep online records of your service, and maintain a private journal.

Volunteer Match makes it easy to find opportunities with at least 50 organizations by searching based on your interests, skills, and schedule. They allow you to search for specific organizations, group opportunities, and even virtual volunteering opportunities. You can also request email alerts when new opportunities based on your criteria become available.

Idealist is a non-profit where people exchange resources and ideas, search for non-profit jobs, and locate volunteer opportunities and supporters. Using their search engine, you can find opportunities based on: area of focus, location, age, language, date, and specific opportunities for families or groups. Idealist also offers email alerts.

Volunteers of America is a national, non-profit volunteer organization in 44 states. Projects include working with: the disabled, day care centers, and teachers; and helping offenders transition from prison to the community. Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals as well as groups and can be short-term, weekly, or monthly.

If you’ve used some of these web sites to find volunteer projects in the past, please add your comments below…how were they to work with? If you have a different recommendation for help in matching your interests with your community’s needs, please share that, too.

And if you do organize a volunteer project, please send us a group photo. We’d love to post it on the bulletin board in the Mint company kitchen. And we might just send you some t-shirts to say thanks!