Opinion: Make smart resolutions in 2019

A new year begins. It is a time to make a difference! The resolution(s) you choose can involve relationships, work, health, use of time, how to spend or to save money. Setting goals or objectives helps us make the resolution happen.

SMART resolutions bring structure to goals you set for yourself. This resolution may be large or small, but overall it should include Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely settings. So what does this mean?

Start by being specific. Decide what you want to achieve. Then look at what will need to be done to reach this goal. For example, I want to be healthy. But that is quite vague. Lately I know I have not eaten enough vegetables. So, my resolution is to eat 2 ½ cups of vegetables each day for the next month.

Hmm, I will write down another goal, too. My little car is getting older. I will save $2000 for the car repair that I fear is coming soon.

This goal needs to be measurable. This means figuring out the effort, time, changes that will occur.

For my healthy eating, I will eat 2 ½ cups of vegetables each day. I will write what I am eating on a note page.

For car repair the effort would be to put $167 with each bimonthly payment for the next 6 months into savings for this.

The goal needs to be attainable. This means to weigh the effort, the time and other costs from which your goal will take.

So I looked at what I have been eating every day in the last week. I found that I am not getting any veggies for snacks or lunch, though at supper I am doing okay. I also looked at my receipts in the last month. Hmm, making my lunch to take it to work instead of going out to eat will help save spending AND leftovers will provide more veggies. I can get books and movies from the library instead of buying them, as well as do a few other changes that will spend less.

A, but is this relevant to me? I have not been cooking much lately, or choosing many vegetables at the store. Cooking will be a challenge for me, but I have a friend who can help me with this skill and healthy recipes. That makes it a fun goal to work for, too! Spending time doing the cooking may mean I have less time to shop or watch movies, too. That helps save money….

Timely is another consideration. Having a decided time to finish can switch people to action. Keep these deadlines realistic and flexible. For me, I will set my goal to eat enough vegetables daily for the next month, then look to see how I need to readjust to do this even better. I will check my savings in June to see that I have accomplished my goal.

Whatever resolution you choose this new year, work SMART to achieve this goal. Check out the Mat-Su Cooperative Extension Service for more information. Choose AmericaSaves.org to make a pledge to help you meet the goal to save you set for yourself.

Julie Cascio is a home economist for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Mat-Su/Copper River District, Cooperative Extension Service.