About Today: 4 Smart Money Resolutions for 2014

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Today Join a gym. Quit smoking. Find a new job. Go back to school. These are the sorts of life-changing resolutions people tend to pursue at the dawn of a new year. But before you embark on your year-long quest for self-improvement, don't forget to set some big goals for your money, too. Here are a few resolutions that will help you get your financial house in order for the year to come -- and beyond. Set Up an Emergency Fund Okay, planning for financial disaster might not give you the same sense of satisfaction as, say, dropping 40 pounds. But there's a lot to be said for gaining some financial peace of mind. Experts say that you should try to save three to six months' worth of living expenses in case of job loss, though that will depend on your own financial situation. And you'll also have to decide where to keep all that money; fortunately, we've got a few suggestions for the ideal account. Sound like a good idea? Here's how to get started! Which Types of Investments Are Good For Emergency Funds? How is an Emergency Fund Different From a Cushion? When Should I Use My Emergency Fund? Search Related Topics:  avoiding debt  money management  Get on a Budget Already Of course, it's going to be hard to put money in an emergency fund if you never have money left at the end of the month. That's why this is the year you start living on a budget. Don't know where to start? Take advantage of these financial software tools (many of them free) that can help you build and stick to a tight budget every month. And if keeping under budget is proving elusive, more extreme measures may be warranted. Try out a no-spend month for the rest of January, or consider seeking help if you believe you have a shopping addiction. How to Stop Spending Money The Single-Envelope Budgeting Method A Year's Journey to Reformed Spending Habits Climb Out of Debt Getting on a budget should help you avoid putting big balances on credit cards. But what if you're already up to your ears in debt? Shedding debt is just as important as shedding pounds, especially if it's in the form of high-interest credit card debt. If you're truly swamped in debt it might take more than a year to pay it all down, but at least you can get started. Put together a plan for paying down the highest-interest debt first, and consider consolidating your debts if you think that will help. And if you start to waver, just consider how much easier it will be to save for retirement once you don't have debt weighing you down. 5 Stupid Ways to Pay Off Your Debt Should I Sign Up With a Debt-Relief Firm? How to Settle Your Tax Debt With the IRS Search Related Topics:  credit card debt  saving money  Get Serious About Retirement Savings Hey, speaking of planning for retirement: You should really do that. Yes, once you've paid down your debts and gotten your emergency fund in place, it's time to get serious about contributing to your retirement accounts. For starters, look at your current savings and then use this guide to figure out if you're on pace for your target retirement. Then it's time to figure out what you need to do get back on pace -- are you maxing out your 401(k) matching? Are you saving up to the contribution limit for your IRAs? No, you're not going to hit your retirement goal by the end of 2014. But you can get yourself on track for a sound financial future. Should I Ever Take Out a 401(k) Loan? Does Converting to a Roth IRA Make Sense? 7 Disastrous Retirement Budget Mistakes Related Searches Money Help Money Software Get Debt Help Debt Loans Get Out of Debt Free Featured Articles Follow About.com Money on Facebook! The Money Rules of Thumb Everyone Should Know 5 Money Moves You Should Make in January Easy Financial New Year's Resolutions Top Business Resolutions for 2014 Do Your After-Holiday Gift Homework   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Today newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com     Follow us on: Advertisement

About Vegetarian Food: Welcome, new vegetarians!

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Vegetarian Food Vegetarian Food Getting Started Easy Vegetarian Recipes Vegetarian Holidays From Jolinda Hackett Welcome, new vegetarians! Have you desolved to go meat-free in 2014? Not sure where to start? You've come to the right place - start right here! Even if you're not a new vegetarian, now's the time of year when there are plenty of people trying to go vegetarian, exploring healthier and more humane ways of eating. Maybe you have a co-worker, a Facebook friend or a cousin who's trying it out? Be sure to be supportive to help them stick with it! Why not forward this newsletter to them? The most important thing to know... Welcome new vegetarians! If you made a New Year's resolution to go vegetarian in 2014, I want to make sure you stick with it! Here's some tips and pointers to help you along the way. Got a question? Post it in the forum and I'll be sure to respond. Your first tip? Do you know how to go vegetarian? And why? This is the single most important knowledge to help you go - and stay- vegetarian! Here's the best advice I've collected from counseling hundreds of new vegetarian wannabes over the years:  How to go vegetarian 800 reasons to go vegetarian Newly vegetarian? Start here! Related Searches Cook Vegetarian Food Vegetarian Cooking Vegetarian Recipies Vegetarian Meals Vegan Cooking Featured Articles   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Jolinda Hackett Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Vegetarian Food newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Must Reads Most popular recipes of 2013 How to go vegetarian Vegetarian FAQs Top 7 Vegetarian Cookbooks All Vegetarian Recipes   Follow me on: Advertisement

About Today: Steps to a Healthier You in 2014

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Today Many usher in the New Year (just like the last!) with some sort of dietary or fitness pledge. Unfortunately, less than 8% of people make their resolutions stick and more than 30% don't even start trying in the first place. One reason is because very strict or lofty goals can be tough to sustain. So, how can you beat the statistics? Follow these steps to make positive diet and exercise changes that will carry a healthier you into 2015 and beyond. Change Your Mindset Making healthier diet choices and getting exercise doesn't have to be overwhelming. Instead of trying to "do it all" at once, break your larger goals into more manageable ones and avoid these other critical mistakes. Be S.M.A.R.T. About Weight Loss What's Your Biggest Obstacle to Exercise? (Quiz) Search Related Topics:  exercise mistakes  diet mistakes  weight loss support Be Realistic With Your Goals Just because the flavor-of-the-month diet plan worked for your favorite celebrity, doesn't mean it'll be practical for you. Take a step back and create a realistic weight loss meal plan or exercise program. Popular Diets That Could Be Bad For You Six 30 Day Quick Start Workout Routines Search Related Topics:  weight loss for runners  dieting  Get the Support You Need Research shows that weight loss is more successful with support. There's no need to go it alone and plenty of ways to get your family and friends on a healthy bandwagon. One Week of Healthy Family Meal Plans Fitness Resolutions for the Whole Family Re-evaluate Your Goals Often If you pledged to start going to the gym but realize you kind of hate the gym, it's time to rethink your exercise strategy. Instead of throwing your hands in the air or feeling shame for not accomplishing your goal, remember there's more than one means to an end. Any Time is a Good Time for Healthy Changes When to Give Up the Weight Loss Obsession Search Related Topics:  weight loss motivation  weight loss success stories  lifestyle changes for weight loss Related Searches Diet Exercise Plan Healthy Diet Menu The Kind Diet Diet Lose Weight Diet Food Meal Featured Articles Low Carb Meal Plans How Many Calories Do I Need? Maintaining Healthy Habits in 5 Simple Steps Mental and Physical Benefits of Yoga Get Walking With Free Programs and Tools Give Yourself a Wellness Makeover   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Today newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com     Follow us on: Advertisement

About Chinese Food: Shrimp with Lobster Sauce, Easy Dan Dan Sauce, New Year Foods

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Chinese Food Chinese Food Easy Recipes Classics Chinese New Year From Rhonda Parkinson Top 10 Symbolic Chinese Foods A whole fish symbolizes prosperity, while a cake's round shape symbolizes family reunion. Learn more and try several recipes.   Search Related Topics:  chinese food symbolism  chinese new year  symbolic chinese recipes Shrimp with Lobster Sauce Submitted by a reader, this recipe uses the white sauce you'll sometimes find in Chinese take-out restaurants.   Search Related Topics:  stir-fry recipes  shrimp recipes  chinese restaurant dishes Ginger Soy Steamed Fish Sea bass or halibut is steamed with sauce until flaky, then topped with green onions and cilantro and drizzled with hot oil . Search Related Topics:  chinese seafood recipes  steaming  asian recipes Easy Dan Dan Sauce for Noodles  Use this spicy sauce with Chinese fresh or dried noodles, or pasta. Search Related Topics:  easy chinese recipes  dan dan  chinese sauce recipes Related Searches Cooking Chinese Food Chinese Chinese Cuisine Menu Chinese New Year Cook Asian Food Featured Articles Steamed Trout with Black Bean Sauce Quick Quinoa Stir-fry Chinese Green Beans with Pork Basic Fried Rice Pho Ga - Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup Zucchini Stir-fry   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Rhonda Parkinson Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Chinese Food newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Must Reads Chinese New Year Recipes Chinese New Year Calendar 2014 Chinese Cooking Instruction Videos How to Steam Rice Popular Chicken Stir-fries   Follow me on: Advertisement