With the start of every New Year, we all hope there's a healthy new us just around the corner. Instead of finding the same old us two weeks from now, here are some things we can do differently this year:

• Document everything.  Start a journal. Make a chart. Take pictures of yourself. If you can see evidence of the progress you're making, you'll be more encouraged.
• Start small.  If a task is too big, it can overwhelm us. Make small specific goals, like “I will substitute water for two sodas.” 
• Be prepared.  Don't give yourself any reasons why you can't keep on track. Keep the gym shoes and clothes ready to go. Have healthy snacks in the fridge. Keep a list of alternatives to smoking on hand. 
• Get plenty of sleep.  Sleep loss can cause increased weight gain, along with other health problems. If you're giving up nicotine, extra sleep may help with the withdrawal. 
• Exercise!  Exercise helps control appetite! Exercise helps with stress! It keeps you warm when it's cold outside! Your body will release endorphins and you will be happy! Just keep repeating these things to yourself!
• Get help if you need it.  Professional personal trainers can help set up a meal plan and exercise regimen specific for you and your daily schedule. Smokers can get free advice and counseling by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Don't give up. Most people give up on their New Year resolutions within 4 weeks. Try to stick with your plan for at least 6-12 weeks. If you aren't getting the results you wanted, re-evaluate your program and start again!

Does it feel like you are missing something in your life? Do you find yourself feeling listless or bored? It's important for each of us to feel like our lives mean something, that we were put on this planet for some sort of purpose.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" 

In 1994, Congress designated the third Monday in January each year as Martin Luther King Jr Day, a national day of service. The MLK Day of Service is an excellent time to seek out a volunteer opportunity that could add purpose to your life.

How to get started? Visit mlkday.gov. On their “Serve” page, you can enter your zip code and find many volunteer projects in your area. There are such a wide variety of services needed, and you are bound to find something that will appeal to you. If you've ever had a desire to try a second career, like teaching or baking, volunteering is a good way to get that experience. 

Helping others can help you find your purpose, and you'll find a reason to get up each day, to be happy and fulfilled.

With the approach of the New Year, are you making some resolutions about your finances? Here are a few tips that might help you reach some goals for 2015:

Plan ahead for the coming year.  

Is your car going to need some major repairs, or will you need to purchase a new one? Don't put off thinking about large expenses till the last minute. Make some decisions now, and look for alternatives too. Perhaps the gym membership isn't affordable this year, but a thrift store bicycle might well be the answer. 

Change the way you think. 

Before you make a purchase, figure out how many hours of work are required to pay for it. Are you still willing to splurge? 

There are studies that show that people are willing to pay 30% more for an item when we're paying with a credit card. Having to fork over that hard-earned cash might deter you from spending so much of it!

Splurge sensibly. 

There's nothing wrong with having a few financial vices, because they can keep the others in check. Food, clothing and entertainment are often our weaknesses. So pick the one you can't live without—will it be the exotic coffees, or the designer shoes? 

A few changes can make a big difference in your financial state, so spend wisely in the New Year.

Ringing in the New Year can involve a variety of customs in different cultures. Foods top the list all around the world as the favorite New Year's Day rituals. Most of these edible traditions stem from superstitions related to good luck, prosperity, health, and moving forward into the New Year. 

Round foods.  The Spanish eat twelve grapes for luck as the clock chimes twelve times at midnight, symbolizing the twelve months of the New Year. In the southern United States, people often eat black-eyed peas, believing they will bring prosperity. Donuts and bagels are popular in the States as well, as their shape represents the year coming full circle. So why round foods? They share the same shape as coins, hopefully an omen of good fortune in the year to come.

Pork.  Pigs “root forward”, which denotes progress in the New Year. Some believe chicken and turkey must not be eaten on the first day of the year, for fear that, like the aforementioned birds, diners may be fated to scratch in the dirt all year for their food. (Not a pork eater? Pig-shaped cookies will do!)

Cornbread.  This is another favorite in the southern U.S. Cornbread, as it's the color of gold, is considered to be lucky.

Perhaps your family enjoys some of these traditional New Year's Day foods, but if not, this list is sure to inspire you to create your own luck for the New Year.

Is your holiday stress causing the holiday blues? Don’t worry, you are not alone.

According to the American Psychological Association: 

• 69% of people experience holiday stress by the feeling of having a “lack of time”
• 69% perceive a “lack of money” as causing them stress
• 51% feel stressed over the “pressure to give or get gifts”

So what do psychologists recommend to remedy holiday stress?

Some studies show that a simple exercise, called The Three Blessings, has proven to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, while also increase a person's sense of well-being. The technique is simple: at the end of each day, think of three things that occurred that made you happy, and why you believe they happened. 

Sometimes it might be difficult to get started on this exercise. Too often we find ourselves in a rut of not seeing the positive side of anything. Start small. Maybe it would help to find the humor in a situation. What might you find to be happy about while you were standing in a cashier's line for 20 minutes? You could be grateful the other people in line used soap or deodorant. Or you could peruse the headlines on the gossip magazines and be grateful that your name isn't there. How many things can you think of?

Try counting your blessings, starting tonight. Be thankful for your home, for having a place to live. Be thankful for your bed, that you have a place to sleep. And be thankful for the night, for it's a time to unwind and relax. Sweet dreams!

The holiday season is a time of excess—too much food, too much celebration… and for some people, too much spending. Avoid being too deeply in debt in January by following a few helpful credit card tips now!

• Avoid signing up for new store cards. The sales clerk may tempt you with: “if you sign up for our credit card, I can give you a 20% discount on your purchases today.” Don't do it. You may wind up buying more than you had planned to, and those credit inquiries can hurt your credit score.
• Don't bring all your credit cards with you. The risk of credit card theft and loss is higher during the holidays.
• Keep your credit card balances well below your credit limit. You run the risk of going over your credit limit once finance charges are added. The higher your credit card balance, the lower your credit score. 
• Make a shopping list and a spending budget. And stick to it. It's easy to be sidetracked during holiday shopping, and forget that Old Man Winter may bring higher heating bills, or a snowstorm that prevents you from getting a full paycheck. 
• Remember-- If you don't have the cash to shop now, you probably can't afford to make purchases on credit. Consider handmade gifts, thrift store shopping, or re-gifting. 
• Pay your balances in full in January. You'll save money on interest charges if you pay the full balance when you get your first bill.

A little planning can help you keep that debt under control. Happy holidays!