20 New Year’s Resolution Ideas for 2024

At the beginning of every year, over 74% of Americans come up with New Year’s resolution ideas meant to change their lives for the better._[1]

A few common New Year’s resolution examples include losing weight, eating healthy, improving personal relationships, quitting bad habits, and making better financial decisions. And for those of you that have made more than a few trips around the sun, it comes as no surprise that a whopping 80% of resolution setters lose their resolve by mid-February.

Unrealistic goals, unreasonable time frames, no real means of really achieving it; they’re but a few of the many reasons resolutioners break just six weeks into the new year. If you want to be a part of the 20% that do make it — the ones that commit to (and succeed in) changing their lives for the better — you need to give your resolution more than five minutes thought.

Come up with a plan. Execute said plan. Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) goals that set you up for a legitimate shot at implementing the change you want to make.

20 Top New Year’s Resolution Ideas to Consider for 2024

It may also come as no surprise that resolutions typically fall within a few categories: making more money, losing weight, saving money, and learning something new. If you’re looking to make a dent in one of those categories, this list is for you.

Ideas to Help You Make More Money

What could you do with a few thousand extra dollars this year? Put a down payment on a house? Pay off student loans? Treat yourself to a much-needed vacation?

A New Year resolution for a student might be paying off student loans before graduation, while an older adult’s objective may be to pay off a home loan or save for retirement. 

Here are a few ideas for a side hustle to help you meet your goals faster.

1. Commit to no idle downtime. 

Your income isn’t limited to your day job. If you want to get a jump start on your financial goals, look for ways to make extra money outside of your 9-to-5.

One solid way to earn money in your spare time is to deliver groceries with Instacart. You’ll need a smartphone to download the Instacart app. Once you apply and are approved to be a shopper, any time you open the app and login you’ll be alerted of delivery opportunities in your area. There are no shortage of gig economy jobs out there – just find one you like and run with it.

2. Declutter or use what you already have. 

If you have things lying around from Christmas that you know you’re never going to use — or, God forbid, last Christmas — get rid of them. You’ll have one less unsightly thing lying around the house and you’ll be a few bucks richer because of it. 

Decluttering can also have a positive impact on your mental health. There is something to be said about having a clean space that isn’t weighed down by a bunch of stuff.

3. Get back to writing.

Did you know there are thousands of successful bloggers in the world making over $10,000 per month from their blogs? There are even some who make over 10X that amount.

If you’re looking for a sustainable way to make some extra money and you have a passion for a particular topic, you might want to consider starting a blog. Your blog about something that interests you could be reaching readers all over the world. Not only would you be helping educate and improve others’ lives, but you’d be earning some extra cash as well.

Blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme. However, your blog could turn into a thriving business with the potential to support your family, and even a team of employees. There is no limit to how much you can grow or how much you can make with blogging. If you’re willing to put in the work, you may come to find it’s the side hustle of your dreams. If you’re not interested in starting your own blog but still like the idea of writing, look into becoming a freelance writer for hire. 

4. Become a rideshare driver. 

Delivery apps like DoorDash help you turn your car into a money-making machine — plus they’re fun, flexible, and fast-paying gigs. Drivers make their own schedules. If your Friday night plans get canceled and you want to use the opportunity to make some extra cash, all you have to do is turn on one of the apps.

If you want something a little more social, drive with Uber or Lyft. It’s a great way to get out of the house every day and meet new people. 

5. Start a side hustle…with your pet. 

There are influencers in virtually every niche imaginable nowadays, and now that trend has reached beyond just humans. There is no shortage of dogs out there with Instagram and TikTok followings reaching into the tens and even hundreds of thousands. And with a decent following comes plenty of opportunities for income like sponsorship deals, affiliate commissions, and more. 

If you’re up to the challenge, making your pet an online influencer can be a rewarding undertaking that brings you closer to your pup and gives you a low-stakes way to learn many different skills that are valuable in creating an online business — things like photography, social media marketing, working with brands, etc. 

Related: 6 Ways to Make Money with Your Dog

6. Commit to saving money. 

Don’t let 2024 be the year that you still don’t find ways to save money.

Worried that you don’t have the discipline to stick to your New Year’s resolution of saving money? A new savings account might be the psychological trick you need in order to motivate yourself to save. Combined with a solid budget, you can do big things for your finances this year.

Ideas to Help You Lose Weight and Live Healthier

Getting in shape and improving your diet can give you more confidence and mental clarity. In some cases, it can even cushion your wallet.

7. Lose weight…by betting on it.

HealthyWage allows you to get in shape for this New Year while earning some money along the way. The process is simple: determine how much you want to lose, place your bet, verify your weight, lose the pounds, and win some cash.

Be aware that if you don’t lose the weight, you’ll lose your cash. Betting on your success can motivate you to accomplish your New Year’s resolution to lose weight.

Related: HealthyWage Review: The Company That Actually Pays You to Lose Weight

8. Start meal prepping.

Learning how to meal prep on a budget can cut hundreds from your grocery budget and save hours of mindlessly roaming around your kitchen wondering what to make, only to end up ordering takeout. It can also help you lose weight by cutting out heavily processed fast food.

Save time. Save money. Eat healthier. Meal Prep.

9. Become your own personal trainer.

Gym memberships can be expensive. This may be your go-to reason for not working out.

But thanks to modern-day technology, those who lack self-motivation are going to need a more creative excuse. You have a free personal trainer on call with the right apps on your smartphone. Plus, exercise makes you feel better, decreases your risk for heart disease, and can prolong your life.

Workout apps:

• Sworkit
• Keelo
• Aaptiv

10. Try YouTube Yoga.

To begin your yoga journey, you may only need a towel and a laptop. Following Kino MacGregor on YouTube is free, and you don’t have to plan around it – you can fit it into your schedule whenever there’s time.

Midnight yoga – why not?

11. Play community sports.

Some people can’t stand the thought of grinding out a workout at the gym.

The improved health, weight loss, and myriad of benefits that come from working out aren’t enough on their own. They need strategy, camaraderie, and to feel like they’re part of something greater. If you are one of these people, there is a simple solution: team sports.

Sports aren’t just for kids in high school. You might be surprised how easy it is to put together a group volleyball team and compete with other locals. Competing is a fun way to get some exercise while hanging out with friends.

12. Eat organic on a budget.

When people hear the word organic, their first question is often: “Isn’t that expensive!?” Indeed, it can be. Or, if you’re smart about it and use apps like Ibotta, it can be relatively inexpensive.

Eating organic on a budget is an acquired skill. Here are some tips for anyone who’s getting started or wants to spend less on their organic grocery budget:

• Shop local and in season when you can
• Check for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs in your area
• Explore your local farmer’s market
• For more expensive items or bulk purchases check out Thrive Market or Tropical Traditions
• Visit the health food stores in your area and consider purchasing an annual membership to your favorites (they usually come with 15%+ discounts for future purchases, so if you actually shop there, they’ll save you money in the long run)

Just like anything you shop for regularly, after a while you’ll get an idea of which items you like/can get the best deals on at which places.

Ideas to Help You Save More Money

These tips can help you save more money, whether that means spending less at the grocery store, maxing out your 401(k) contribution, or building an emergency fund.

13. Participate in a savings challenge.

Saving money takes a great deal of self-discipline.

How do you stay motivated to hang on to your money rather than spend it? Easy — turn it into a 52-week money-saving challenge. You’ll be far better off financially than where you started with an ambitious goal and a savings game plan, even if you don’t quite reach your goal.

14. Save on your daily splurge. 

Maybe you’re not quite ready to give up that daily coffee habit, but you do want to cut back on this particular area of spending. 

Here are some of the best tricks to make your Starbucks addiction cost less. If you’re not a Starbucks snob like some of us, you can always quickly check some of the better coupon sites out there to see if you can save wherever it is that you do spend your hard-earned dollars. 

15. Make every dollar count. 

Everyone shops online, but not everyone is savvy about it. Even if you only purchase items on sale, you could be getting even bigger discounts.

Browser extensions like Capital One Shopping will reward you for shopping at your favorite places, including Old Navy, eBay, and Walmart. 

16. Make more intentional progress on your student loans.

With the national student loan debt topping $1.4 trillion, student loans are an epidemic plaguing America’s young adults. _[2] Debt can contribute to increased stress and anxiety. So pay those loans off!

You don’t need some grand plan to get it done. Refinance your loans to save on interest (if you are able), pay more than the minimum amount, and make more money. Do these three things, and you’re well on your way to being debt-free in the New Year.

Ideas to Help You Learn Something New

New Year’s resolutions are all about creating the best version of you that’s possible. Why not learn some new things?

17. Take an online course.

One way to make more money in 2024 is to have valuable skills that others will pay you for. That’s where sites like Skillshare come in. Skillshare offers premium video courses for super low prices — think $10 or less — on everything from web development to parenting. You can get two months free when you first sign up.

You could use your newfound skills as a resume booster when applying for jobs or to negotiate a raise in your current position.

18. Check out your local community college.

Few people take advantage of one of the greatest cheap learning resources around like community college. Community colleges offer far more than your traditional academic classes.

Ever wanted to learn woodworking? Pottery? Baking? Or perhaps you never got to take those psychology classes in undergrad because you were too busy doing as little as possible to graduate. Education doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, most classes at community colleges are very affordable, especially if you’re a local resident.

19. Read more books.

Another way to master a new skill for free is to spend more time with your nose between the pages of a book.

There’s no better way to get into the mind of an expert than to read their work. And chances are just about anything you want to learn has probably been written about by someone. If reading isn’t how you learn best, audiobooks may be more suitable for you.

Audible offers a free download for first-time users and low-cost membership options. Perks include 1 free book per month and access to bestsellers at steeply discounted prices.

20. Listen to TED talks.

Some people get stuck in cat video or fail compilation loops on YouTube. Instead, try TED Talk loops. The amount of knowledge you’ll learn may surprise you.

TED Talks are thought-provoking, endlessly entertaining, and the best part — completely free.

Not all New Year’s Resolution Ideas are Created Equal

The New Year is an inspiring time to make a change in your life for the better.

Use these twenty New Year resolution ideas to create your plan for making 2024 the best year yet.