Promises, promises
One of the surest ways to fail at New Year’s resolutions is to let the costs demotivate you, writes Tao Lin.
By the time you read this you are probably getting into the groove of your plan to lose weight, eat better or learn a new language. You’ve vowed that this year you will not give up on your New Year’s resolutions, but how deep do you have to dig into your pocket to pay for those promises of selfimprovement?
GET FIT
Based on 2015 and 2016 survey data from Nielsen, the most popular resolution people make is to stay fit and healthy.
Of course this can be largely costfree: exercise outside, join a free running club or check out one of the many free workout channels on YouTube, where all you need is your own body weight and to learn the right technique.
But for those who want fancy equipment, group classes and extra motivation, a gym is the usual go-to.
A membership can range from cheap ($12.95 a week for a single person membership at Jetts) to extravagant ($3800 for a 12-week package for a couple at Auckland’s luxury gym, The Form Room).
There will also be joining fees, card fees and potentially exit fees.
Workout gear, supplements and personal trainers are all extra costs you may wish to consider.
EAT BETTER
According to the most recent Food Price Index in November last year, fruit and vegetable prices increased by 0.6 per cent compared with the same time in the previous year (although it did fall compared with the previous month).
Meat, poultry and fish prices increased in November compared with the previous month (0.5 per cent), as did grocery food prices in general (1 per cent).
One of the pitfalls of nutritious eating is that can be more expensive than convenience foods. At Countdown, chicken breast can cost about $17 for 900 grams, while a pack of green beans is about $4, Anchor 2-litre blue top milk $4.40 and red kumara $5.99 a kilogram.
Meanwhile, a 150g bag of potato chips might cost $1.39, a 2.25L bottle of Coke costs $3.99 and a loaf of white bread can be as low as $1.
But proper planning, shopping at markets and Asian grocers rather than supermarkets, buying seasonally and eating the right portions can all help to keep to a tight budget.
START A HOBBY
Depending on what you want to do and where you do it, the cost of hobbies can range from very little to quite expensive.
Want to learn an instrument? At Lewis Eady it costs $320 for 10 weeks of private music tuition. Fancy learning ballet? It will cost $185 for 10 group classes at Auckland’s The Dance Domain.
What about a sport, such as tennis? At Auckland’s Smash Tennis it will cost $20 each time for the beginner’s class.
Learning a new language, on the other hand, can be cheap. If you have the patience and motivation, there are free YouTube videos and excellent online resources. If you prefer to be taught in a classroom, community education options are quite affordable.
... MAKE A PLAN
Whatever the resolutions are, financial planning is key to sticking to goals.
The New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services’ chief executive, Raewyn Fox, said even though it seemed like common sense, people who needed financial help often did not have a good plan in place. The plan needed to be comprehensive and to account for infrequent, often expensive, costs such as car registration and medical appointments.
‘‘If you have a plan to deal with things you need, plus a few more for emergencies, then you’re far less likely to get into trouble,’’ Fox said.
The key with New Year’s resolutions is to make sure you actually have the money to cover the cost. Fox said it was also good practice to set goals and reward yourself when you achieve them.