Happy New Year! It’s that time of the year when many of us are heading for new beginnings. For those working, the year really begins after you've refreshed yourself with an August vacation, not on January 1st. If you've gotten a little behind, September usually offers a launch pad to kick in your efforts before the end of the calendar year. If your a teacher or returning student, this really is the beginning of a new year and you have a fresh start with new faces.

So maybe this is the best time to make resolutions about how we’re going to try to improve our lives. I’ve got five generic resolutions that you’re welcome to make.

Now that the real estate market has tanked for three consecutive years, renting doesn't seem like such a bad idea. Until 2007, buying was considered the only financially sane option, a view strenuously espoused by those who profit handsomely every time a house is bought or sold - real estate agents. It goes without saying that you're likely to get a much better deal today than if you'd taken the plunge in 2005 or 2006, when every financial expert and his brother were touting home ownership as a no-brainer.

Buying used isn’t for everybody, but even if you want a warranty or you like everything coming out of a sealed box, you might find a few things on this list that can help you save a bundle. The reality is, we put a huge premium on buying something new when the utility from a near-new item is virtually the same.