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I recently announced that I was not making any new year’s resolutions, but I was adopting a slogan: Keep Going! After a week or so of operating with that simple slogan I’m convinced I made the right choice.

The beginning of a new year is always a good time to reassess and it’s no great surprise that the calls and emails currently reflect that. People do seem to be considering what they want to accomplish this year: buying a home, selling property, taking a course. It’s all good stuff, but the problem with resolutions is also the problem with goals. Enthusiasm can fade quickly–especially when external factors (like the market and the economy) seem to be constantly working against us.

That’s when we have to “Keep Going.”

All of those decisions (goals and resolutions) have an obvious financial aspect. One of the things that still amazes and distresses me a bit is the amount of “financial illiteracy” I encounter with students and real estate clients. However, I can’t be too critical of it–because I’ve found myself feeling pretty ignorant when I talk with my financial advisor. Things have gotten pretty complicated in the financial arena. Consider, for example, how many different program choices a buyer has when it comes to mortgaging. I’m convinced that one thing keeping prospective first time home buyers from acting is they just don’t want to deal with the complexity.

Conversely, I’ve worked with clients so determined to achieve their dream they didn’t want to deal with reality. “The bank won’t give me a mortgage I can’t afford; that’s what got them in trouble.” At the other end of the spectrum, this is easy–all that matters is what I want. Part of my job is to make sure buyers understand that the price of the house and the mortgage payment are only one small part of the cost of home ownership.

Those who might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all this financial “stuff” will find it easy to “keep going” but may not be thinking about where they are going to end up. (I’m reminded of the wisdom “If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.”)

One of the new courses I’m developing for this spring is “Cash as a Crop.” It’s part of a You Can Series we’re developing as a collaboration between the Piscataquis Valley Adult  Education Cooperative and Piscataquis County UMaine Extension. There are a number of courses geared to giving people information and skills emphasizing what you can do–some are very basic, but all are about facilitating a sense of independence and control. (That, by the way, is one of the driving motivations for owning your own home!)

In that spirit, let me share with you several resources for getting your financial affairs in order. Here’s a great site with some very practical financial advice… http://www.thesimpledollar.com/. I liked his explanation of mortgage rates a lot… and found his advice to someone who is considering walking way from their mortgage interesting, because ethical considerations aside, there are some serious financial aspects that most people don’t consider.

Another resource is http://www.totalcandor.com. Frankly, it’s a bit self-promoting, but with some justification. I met Michael Rubin at a financial literacy conference and found his approach refreshing because it’s down to earth and he’s got a great sense of humor. You might check out his blog and consider his book “Beyond Paycheck To Paycheck.” It’s a good read.

I don’t think it’s too late to make a resolution, set a goal, or adopt a slogan. Given the financially troubled times we are living in can be discouraging, but let’s keep going!