Auld Lang Syne to poor money management

Every Dec. 31 I start to panic. You know, it's that old what-didn't-I-accomplish type panic. Did I try to do better? Did I smile at people in the grocery store or did I scamper to the next aisle so I didn't have to say hi?

I'm probably guilty on all accounts. If you caught me scampering, then I apologize. I was probably having a bad hair day or wearing those sweats that should never leave the house.

I would have to say that 2011 was a good year for me and my family. First of all we had jobs and were working. The kids were all relatively healthy, save the ACL tear my daughter experienced. We have a warm home to live in that's being paid for with said jobs, and there is food on the table. What about this year would cause me to panic?

Probably poor money management on my part. Yes, I'm coming out and shouting it loud – Missy is a poor money manager. Now that doesn't necessarily mean I'm not good at being thrifty, it just means that I'm not good at saving what I save by being thrifty. Say that last sentence three times swiftly. Do it.

My husband is the world's best money manager, and he's saved my life many times by telling me not to be stupid with my money. He always has money whereas the money in my wallet, after bills, seems to drain out like so many grains of sand in an hourglass. This is where my goal for 2012 will be. Instead of making bits of money here and there and letting it slip through my fingers, I'm going to save a portion of it. That way I'll know it really existed.

One of my favorite websites is called momsplans.com. I admire this lady for her zeal about saving money and snowballing debt. She calls it "snowflaking," which in essence is finding money where you didn't think money would be. That is, selling clothing on Ebay or Craigslist, freelance writing, or any small check that might come your way. She takes these found monies and "snowflakes" them toward their outstanding credit card debt and student loans. It's amazing how these little amounts add up to a big dent in your debt.

I've always been good at making small amounts of money. I've sold on Ebay for more than 10 years, not as regularly as I could, but found it to be semi-profitable. Garage sales have always been a huge part of my extra income. As a family, we would hold bi-annual Junk Flings. That is, huge garage sales filled with junk, treasures, clothing, and plain old stuff. We would set up for days and throw open the garage and the people would flock in. Profit free and clear.

As of late, I've been using the Bargain Hunters Unite Facebook page, an extension of The Holmes Bargain Hunter, to sell items lying around my house. After two weeks of posting and selling, I may never go back to Ebay. I've sold clothing, video game systems, books, and collectibles – all without the hassle of shipping anything. Every single thing I've posted has sold or is in the process. This site is a gift to Holmes County. There are also Wayne, Coshocton, and Tuscarawas versions as well.

My question, though, is where does all this extra income go? For me it seems to dissolve into the fabric of my life. Basketball games, gas for the car, money for the kids to go out with friends, contact lenses – I never seem to be able to grasp it long enough for it to grow. I'm good at being frugal and finding the deal, but now I need to be able to be siphon part of it into a little nest egg. I may start headlining my own personal blog, melissakayherrera.blogspot.com, with The Saved Quarter Challenge – which is what the lady from momsplans.com calls her snowflaking attempts. It's fascinating reading and something I aim to strive for in my own life.

So with all that said, its farewell to poor money management. With the New Year, and along with a few resolutions I never thought would come true, I hitch up my pants and set my eye on the prize …and maybe a few saved quarters along the way.

- Go to http://www.momsplans.com/ and check out The Saved Quarter Challenge. While you're there browse around her old posts – lots of wisdom here.

- http://www.raininghotcoupons.com/ has been in a holiday frenzy these past several weeks. She's been busy posting hot deals and giveaways and her zeal for what she does is especially fun to read. Go here for her to point you toward the hottest deals on the web.

- If your family loves movies then you need to head to The Exchange in Canton. Located right across from Westfield Belden Village, it sits a few doors down from the Starbucks. It's packed tight with movies, video games, and electronics. Some items are new, but most are used in great condition. What better way to stock up your video cabinet? Movies start at $2.50 and go up according to how new the release is or the condition it's in. I make a killing for Christmas here. (http://www.myexchangefranchise.com/)

- House creaking with stuff to get rid of? List it on https://www.facebook.com/groups/BHUHolmes/ and earn a little of the green stuff while meeting some great people.