It's official: a new year has begun. It is a time filled with hope for many as they attempt to 'start over' on some new path in life. And while there is no reason to wait for a new year to start over, there is a symbolic fresh start that comes with flipping over the new calendar page.

For me, I usually take a few minutes every year to come up with a list of things that I would like to do better as sort of a personal tradition. Sometimes it actually leads me to doing new things, other times it simply helps me bring to mind the things that aren't being done that should be, or the things that are being done that shouldn't, or the...well, you get the picture. There are always bad habits that are hard to break, good habits that need to be nurtured and time that needs to be better spent.

One of last year's goals was to read through the entire Bible in an orderly manner, but I was once again sidetracked often enough to get off schedule sometime around May when the garden work was keeping me busy. Once I got behind, I gave up and just started reading here and there the way I typically have. This year I plan to do better and I have already started off right, reading the first two days worth on New Year's Day. I figure if I can get a few days ahead, if a day comes when I don't have time to read, I won't fall so far behind that I can't catch up. My goal of conquering the last of my 'little debts' is one of my favorites for this year. For the first time in many years, I am going to destroy the small debts that have taken a good deal of my income and energy. It usually isn't the house payment that gets me, but the smaller debts that can easily pile up.

I suppose most people have those kind of debts, the ones that occur when the refrigerator or the lawnmower breaks and there isn't enough money saved to repair or replace it. Payments for other items like computers, furniture and credit cards also come to mind. My mower represents one of my last such debts and it likely will be paid off sometime this year. Another such surprise debt came about when the family sedan ran over the reindeer, but hopefully that one also will be taken care of soon. I'm hoping Santa settles out of court. Mental note: I also resolve to meet with my insurance agent and add on reindeer coverage.

Several years ago I gained mastery over my credit cards, paying them off one at a time and canceling them until I was left with only one card and my check card. I now pay off the credit card bill every month if I use it, so it doesn't cost me any interest. That's the way such cards are best used: as a temporary financial tool. When it costs more than $70 to fill each truck with gas and the car costs nearly as much, it isn't possible to fill all three most weeks unless

I use the card and then pay it back with my 'free' money later. Luckily, they don't all usually need gas at the same time.

I have been tempted lately to purchase a truck with extra doors for convenience or a small car for fuel economy, but when I remember making car payments, I stop thinking about it. I will resolve be satisfied with the vehicles I have this year.

I also plan to lessen the month-to-month costs of operating my household. I have taken some energy efficient measures, such as replacing some of my old light bulbs with more efficient screw-in florescent bulbs, adding new insulation and vinyl windows and sealing cracks and gaps here and there. I hope to replace a few more windows this year and work to improve the siding on the back of my home. I also plan to replace any appliance that quits on me this year with the most efficient model possible. In the past, that Energy Star rating didn't mean that much to me compared to the features and cost of the item. Now I see the wisdom in buying the most efficient, especially with the electric bill up to more than $120 to $140 per month (without the Christmas lights). My next money-saving idea is an on-demand water heater that could help me cut down on my expenses.

I also resolve to clean up the yard this year. I have made several great strides in that direction, but I still have a pole shed to erect and I am going to have to get it under way if there ever is going to be any hope for the yard. Right now, I have several pieces of that future shed laying here and there, waiting for me to put them all together into some kind of a useful collective form. However, I must do this work without incurring more debt, another plan that I have for the year. While this could be tricky, I think I can get it done sometime this spring.

And what set of New Year's resolutions would be complete without saying something about losing weight, eating better and exercising more. Of course, these are things I only plan to talk about in this column and not really take any serious action on. If I give up my coffee, unhealthy meats and sedate lifestyle all in one year, my body might go into some sort of shock. Maybe I'll try a more serious goal this year, like trying to eat three balanced meals a day and sticking to my 7 o'clock diet. In case you haven't heard of this plan, it's because I made it up. I eat anything I want, but I don't eat after 7 p.m. and I don't drink my calories (in sugary drinks and soda pop).

I've found I can maintain a healthy weight by doing this alone and staying away from sweets like cake, pie and ice cream. Well, I might splurge once in a while on ice cream. Besides, it's made out of milk and that's good for you, right?

Anyway, I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and productive year and that each has the resolve to make their resolutions become a new and improved reality. As for me, I'll just do my best and work on listing and tackling challenges (repeating as necessary).

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