2013 financial resolutions

Gulf News asked readers what their financial resolutions for 2013 are:

1. Spend less money on food

42-year-old Alexander Zbiorczyk from Luxembourg and a self-employed resident from Dubai told us that he really wants to spend less money on eating outside.

“I want to eat at home more often. It’s really difficult for me because I like to eat out with my friends. Eating out is quite a substantial portion of my costs and I hope I’ll be able to cut down on it this year.”

2. Be more aware of your income.

Dr. William Derban, a 40-year-old head of community relations from Ghana has resolved to keep a closer eye on his money this year. “I really want to start saving more, I also want to be more aware of my income and pay closer attention to my bank accounts.”

3. Adjust your budget to change.

Circumstances tend to change in life, and we are often slow to adjust to these changes. Gulf News reader Mohammad Hadi is a 39-year-old sales representative with a lot of changes ahead of him. Hadi’s 2013 financial resolution is to adjust to these changes. “I’m planning to buy a new house. Hopefully in 2013 I’ll be able to manage my finances and adjust my spending habits.”

4. Spend on things that matter.

Our wants seem to never end. We often tend to spend on frivolous items leaving us shortchanged when we’ve got an important expense to tend to. That’s the sentiment Faruk Baghani, a 49-year-old American-Pakistani managing director, has expressed towards his financial resolution. He said: “I would like to spend more money on developing myself and my family from an intellectual standpoint and try to spend less on material objects.”

5. Save more, you’ll appreciate it later.

27-year-old copy editor Amrita Chachara has resolved to curb her spending. “I really want to save more. Hopefully this year I will spend less on shopping and restaurants and try to focus more saving for the future.”

- The writer is a trainee with Gulf News