Are You Debt Dieting This Year?

Dieting trumps debt dieting as American's #1 New Year's resolution by nearly 2-to-1 according to a study just out from TransUnion's TrueCredit.

Nearly four in ten Americans (37 percent) pick eating healthy or losing weight as their number one resolution for 2007, compared with 33 percent last year. Twenty-two percent choose paying down debt as the top resolution, compared with 20 percent last year. It's worth pointing out that while dieting  for weight loss is the first pick for the 50 and over crowd, about a third of those age 25-34 say paying down debt is their number one resolution. Those in the 35-49 year old range are equally concerned with eating healthy and paying down debt, with 31 percent naming each as their top resolution.

TransUnion’s TrueCredit.com commissioned GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media for the survey on New Year's resolutions.

So why pick one over the other? Why not combine the two: dieting and debt dieting? Some ideas:

Eat out less often. Most families can easily can put an extra $50 a week toward their credit cards by making more meals at home. Just don't supersize the home cooked meals!

When you do eat out, split an entree and appetizer, and stick to water rather than sugary soda. If you must have an alchoholic drink, imbibe before you leave home (and let someone else drive.)

Hoof it. I know this isn't possible everywhere, but if you can take public transportation or, better yet, bike or walk, do it. You'll burn more calories and less gasoline.

Turn off the TV and get outdoors. Whether it's shoveling snow or raking leaves (yes, that's what we do in January in Florida), get moving. You'll feel better and won't know what you are missing by not watching television commercials.

Instead of shopping online, clean out the garage and your closets and sell your stuff on ebay -- just don't get sucked into an auction for more stuff you don't need!

Save yourself the monthly payments on the expensive gym equipment hawked on TV. If you are like most of us (me included), you'll end up with an expensive clothes rack. Find a walking buddy instead.

Drink more water. But forget the pricey bottled stuff, which is usually not much better than most tap water. Buy a good water bottle (and filter if you choose) and tote your own.

Forget the fads. There's no need to spend thousands on pills and potions. The January 07 issue of Reader's Digest lists tried and true dieting tips, one of which is to pick basic meals and stick with them throughout the week. Their example is black bean soup and a whole wheat wrap for lunch each day. It sounds like the idea is to reduce cravings. Sure makes meal planning and shopping easier!

Be conscience. When I was reading psychology literature for my Master's degree, one piece of advice really stood out for me: write down your behavior if you want to modify it. That tip came from multiple studies of successful dieters. Writing down what you eat and what you spend may make the difference between success and failure if you want to shed weight or debt in 2007.

What are your best dieting/debt dieting tips? Share them here!

Comments

[Nancy Castleman]

This is one of the best posts I've seen anywhere on any subject! Thank you so much for it, Gerri!

I'm printing it out and putting a copy on my fridge. Wouldn't surprise me if some folks keep copies in their checkbooks.

Thanks again!
Nancy