This article was written prior to 15 March 2021, before the launch of the new Financial Advice Regime, and was published for information purposes only. It is not being actively promoted by Dollar Insurance. Dollar Insurance does not provide financial advice about the suitability of their products and cannot take into account your personal situation or goals. Before you decide to take out a Dollar Insurance Policy, you should read the relevant Policy Wording document which contains the terms, conditions, and exclusions of the Policy, and seek independent financial advice, if required, to ensure the insurance policy is suitable for you.

The New Year is when many Kiwis decide to put their best foot forward or try something new. Joining the gym, learning an instrument, traveling more… these all sound great, but they can also cost an arm and a leg.

Picking a resolution doesn’t have to be pricey. In fact, there are plenty ways to improve yourself, home or life that cost next to nothing—and some are completely free!

Here are 9 New Year’s resolution ideas that are cheap as chips:

1. Drink more water

Sipping good old H2O could do wonders for the body—boost energy, help keep skin clear and healthy, even help prevent hangovers!¹ Talk to your doctor to figure out how much water you should be drinking every day.
Cost: $10-25 for a sturdy metal or plastic reusable bottle to take with you.

2. Step up your steps

You might’ve heard the “10,000 steps” rule, but maybe don’t pay much attention to your own daily step count. Tracking your steps could be a good way to go from couch potato to fitness superstar… or just a healthier version of yourself.
Cost: $0-$40 - Your smartphone may already be counting your steps, or download an app with more features if you’re interested in also tracking things like heartrate.

3. Read more

School might’ve put you off reading, but there are reasons to give it another go. Reading could help fight Alzheimer’s, improve memory and relax a stressed-out mind.² Books aren’t your thing? Pick up a magazine or newspaper instead.
Cost: $0, if you take advantage of your local library or start a book swap with other readers.

4. Conquer your stress

Mental health is something a lot of people overlook, but stress can really drag you down if it gets out of control. Looking after yourself—body and mind—could be as easy as focusing on your breathing, repeating a positive phrase or just sitting quietly for a few minutes a day.
Cost: $0 – There are plenty of meditation apps and YouTube videos for beginners to help get you started.

5. Don’t waste leftovers

The average Kiwi family throws out almost $600 of food every single year—yikes!³ That’s basically tossing money in the bin, not to mention filling up landfills with good food. Make a resolution to shop smarter and eat those dinner leftovers.
Cost: $0 – In fact, eating leftovers for lunch throughout the week could actually save you money.

6. Compost food scraps

Want to help the planet? Composting could put kilos of rubbish to good use in the garden, reduce your carbon footprint and keep the kitchen bin from smelling foul! Check out bokashi or worm farms if traditional composting isn’t for you.
Cost: Around $40 for a large plastic bin and shovel to get started.

7. Clean out your home

Too much clutter around the house? A closet full of clothes you never wear? Old appliances you’ve put off dragging to the tip? Start off January with a top-to-bottom clear out, hitting every room and organising along the way.
Cost: $0 – If you hold a yard sale or list items online, you might even make money for your efforts!

8. Ban electronics before bed

Getting a good night’s sleep is often easier said than done. But if you’re usual routine includes late night binge watching or endlessly scrolling through social media, it might pay to rethink your pre-bed schedule.
Cost: $0 – This one’s as easy as turning off those pesky screens and crawling into bed.

9. Make and stick to a budget

There’s no time like the present to tackle your finances! Make a household budget (or review the one you’ve got), and then actually try to stick with it. Set aside time every few months to see what’s working and where cuts could be made.
Cost: $0 – Another possible money maker—you might find some surprising savings.

Sources

1. Healthline, 7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water, 4 June 2017
    Mayo Clinic, Water: How much should you drink every day? 6 September 2017
2. ABC News, Reading, Chess May Help Fight Alzheimer’s, 6 March 2001
3. Love Food, Hate Waste NZ, Quiz: How much money are you wasting when you throw away food? Accessed 20 December 2018

About the author: Dollar Insurance is all about making insurance as painless as possible, with easy to get funeral cover, for just $1 a day. 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal situation or goals. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs and seek independent financial advice, if required, to ensure an insurance product is suitable for you.

Any product information is correct at the time this article was published. For current product information, please visit the Dollar Insurance website.