A new year means a new beginning. The perfect time to set goals and plan how you will achieve those goals. I’ve never liked the word resolution, I prefer intentions. But no matter what you call it, without a good plan and a way to track it, success is unlikely.

Below are 6 free tools to help you reach your goals. Some of the goals are specific to a particular type of goal and some can be used with any goal.

1. 42 Goals offers both free and premium accounts and is a very simple goal tracking website. Put your goals in and you can visually track how well you are doing with any goal you want.

2. Joe’s Goals is another very simple tracking tool. Set up your goals and put check marks each day you complete your goal. There is a logbook if you want to track more detailed information.

3. SparkPeople is a free comprehensive site to help you reach your weight loss goals. You can track your diet, exercise, water, weight, inches lost and set up a very detailed plan for all of your goals (weight loss or not.) SparkPeople also has an iPhone app so you can track while on the go.

4. Dailymile is an excellent website for tracking your fitness goals and in particular tracking your daily miles whether they are running or walking. There is a mobile version, but no app for dailymile.

5. Mint.com is an excellent tool for setting up budgets and tracking everything you spend. Mint.com also has an iPhone app so you do not have to wait until you get home to add your purchases.

6. Quitline.com is a resource from the Washingtong State Department of Health. It provides many tools to help you quit smoking. The site will help you create a quitting plan and gives you the tools to help you be successful.

These tools will aid you in planning and tracking, but you will still need to dig deep and find the willpower to stick to it. Good Luck!

Photo from Microsoft Images

This past summer I attended several functions about cyberbullying and it got me thinking about whether my kids know what cyberbullying is and what to do if it happens to them. I decided to interview all four of my kids separately.

What is a Cyberbully?

• 14 yrÊ – People who bully you on the internet or online, calling you names.
• 11 yr – Bullying done online, spreading lies.
• 7 yr – I don’t know what cyber means, but bully is picking on someone.
• 6 yr – I don’t know, but I know a bully is someone who is mean to someone. (more…)

Now that most phones have video and picture capabilities, more people are taking video than ever before. You can purchase a good quality pocket HD video camcorder or camera for less than $200. But what do you do with all those videos and pictures? There are several online services that let you create fun short videos for free. You can add both pictures and video to create masterpieces. (more…)

Digital Scrapbooking is simply creating a scrapbook layout on the computer. You use paper and elements that are created digitally using graphic design software.
Below are answers to some of the common questions I receive about digital scrapbooking. (more…)

The latest trend in social networking is location based applications. These are the apps that tell everyone where you are located, such as Whrrl, Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt, Brightkite and several more. (more…)

We all have moments when the kids are driving us nuts, the dog wants to be fed, the phone is ringing, your deadline is close and your husband wants to know what you plan to have on the table when he gets home because he is hungry. I say, “Dancing, take me away.” Just try it next time. (more…)