New Year Brings Financial Resolutions
As New Year's resolutions are made, more people are turning to counselors for help with everything from careers to finances.
Some local psychologists and counselors say people's priorities are changing.
Whether people are making New Years resolutions or not, many are looking forward to 2009 as a time to make some major changes in their lives.
There were the usual New Years resolutions, but some people this year say they didn't bother.
"No not this year, last year's didn't work out, I decided not to disappoint myself," said one Medford resident.
Some psychologists are kept busy as people seek help with simplifying their lives in 2009.
"Some of the people I meet with have a lot of problems with finances a lot of deep thinking about what are the essentials for happiness what we can let go of," said clinical psychologist Robin Seeley.
Clinical psychologist Robin Seeley says this year, people are worried about changes on the way.
"People are feeling it in area of finances jobs looking forward to retirement afraid they can never retire that kind of thing," Seeley said.
Experts say whatever it is you want to do, you have to have a plan.
"If you don't have a plan or don't have a resolution kind of like don't have a map don't know where you're going you're definitely not going to get there, you need to know where you want to be and come up with some steps to get there," said Safley.
This year Consumer Credit Counseling Services has seen a 20 percent increase in caseloads. People scrambling to find help as the numbers rise for bankruptcies, unemployment, and foreclosures.
Safley says there are some things you can do no matter your financial situation.
She says know where your money goes track your spending for 30 days.
Build a budget and figure out how much you'll have for living expenses and debt repayment.
Cut back on your debt it's a bad time to add more to what you owe, and no matter how much money you make you have to start saving.
"I don't have money to buy groceries if you have a good budget you can carve a little money out savings its essential right now," she said.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service says it also expects to see a 20 percent increase in caseloads in 2009.
With more people who want to make changes in their lives whether they make any new years resolutions or not.
While some people look to counselors to take control of their future, others look to fate.
Ashland Psychic Claudia Harrington says her clients used to only have relationship concerns. About half of her clients are asking about their careers, the economy, and finances.
We asked Harrington what she sees for 2009. She says it will start off slowly but dramatically improve by the end of the year.
