This is optimal finance daily.

Episode 498, the top nine New Year's resolutions and cheap ways to keep them.

By Marie Hickman with MoneyMig blog.

And I am Dan, the guy who reads to you from some of the best blogs on personal finance.

Now let's get right to today's post as we optimize your life.

The top nine New Year's resolutions and cheap ways to keep them by Marie Hickman with

Money-Minog.com

Nearly half of Americans make New Year's resolutions, but only 8% of us keep our promises,

that's according to a survey by the University of Scranton. The top reasons, or excuses,

include lack of money, lack of opportunity, and almost everyone's sticking point, lack of money, of opportunity, and almost everyone's sticking point,

lack of time.

If you're determined to realize your goals this year,

check out some frugal ways to achieve the top 10 resolutions. 1. Lose weight.

Is this the year you drop those extra pounds and lower that BMI?

Check out low-cost gym memberships or YMCA fitness classes.

Take a walk on your lunch hour or after dinner.

Yeah, at first you'll have to force yourself.

If you're a busy single parent, find a trusted neighbor who's willing to swap jogging time with child care.

Check out used Sporting Goods stores for cheap stair steppers you can use for bad weather days.

2. Get organized. Yes, it's easy to psych yourself out of cleaning if you're looking at the big picture.

If sorting feels overwhelming, eat the... like yourself out of cleaning if you're looking at the big picture.

If sorting feels overwhelming, eat the elephant one bite at a time.

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