The party poppers have popped, the new year is here and many people believe the only sure thing they can count on in 2013 is the nation's troubled economy will remain troubled.
Some people have made New Year's resolutions related to managing their finances, such as Luke McClure and his girlfriend, Michelle Ward, both 18 of Saint Clair, who share an apartment and living expenses.
"I'm thinking about that especially. We both have bills already and I have car payments, gas, phone payments. Our resolution is to save more," McClure said.
"And spend a little smarter," Ward said.
McClure was also concerned with what decisions lawmakers in Washington, D.C., would make in the new year.
"They don't spend very wisely either," he said.
People looking for tips on how to manage their credit cards, mortgages and other debt can sign up for a three-month course being hosted by First United Methodist Church in Schuylkill Haven, "Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University," according to Elaine Maneval, manager of Schuylkill Mall, Frackville.
The fee is $95 for nine classes, which will be held on select Wednesdays in January, February and March, with the first class slated for 6 p.m. Jan. 16. To sign up, call 570-640-9836, Maneval said.
Or they can also visit a financial counselor, like Ken Silagy, president and founder of Dollar Sense in Reading, Berks County.
"There are basically four ways to get out of debt," Silagy said Friday. "You can throw a lot of money at it. You can sit down with a certified financial counselor and maybe they can assist you. You can sit down with a company like ours, which offers a debt reduction/settlement service. Or you can file for bankruptcy."
Shoppers at Schuylkill Mall on Dec. 28 said money management is certainly something they'll be thinking about this year.
John Kemple, 62, of Pottsville, a retired home health care worker, said he lives on a fixed income in an apartment. He said he couldn't afford to keep up his van and in February, he started depending on the Schuylkill Transportation System for travel.
"You see things you want to buy but you have to decide what you really don't need. You have to prioritize," Kemple said.
Jessica Rusnak, 23, of Forestville, graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Shippensburg University. While hoping to pursue a master's degree, she's working at The Bon Ton at Schuylkill Mall.
"I'm going to have to spend less money. I don't want to spend it so frivolously. I just graduated college. I have $70,000 in loans. Kind of steep, but I have good parents who help. I'd love to get my master's degree, but I don't have the money right now," Rusnak said.
Melanie Dalton, 35, of Deep Creek, Barry Township, said she swore to stop smoking in 2012, and accomplished that feat by June. She wasn't planning to make any resolutions for 2013.
But her daughter, Victoria Boughan, 14, said, "I want to save money."
"She might be able to, if she stays out of Bath & Body Works," Dalton said.
Boughan said she'd saved up for special events in 2012, like student field trips. And she'd like to do that again.
Cathy Berger, 44, of Schuylkill Haven, was shopping with her family, including her daughter, Maya, 10.
Berger didn't have a resolution either, but said finances will be on her mind in 2013.
"Just getting more organized and stuff, especially with the kids and college," Berger said.
"I want to be a better dancer. I've been dancing since I was 3," said Maya, who studies dance at Crystal's School of Dance in Orwigsburg. "I guess I'll practice more at home." And, Maya said, "I'd like to get my bank account higher."
"Save more money?" her mother asked.
Maya nodded yes.
"I make new year's resolutions but never keep them. Maybe my new year's resolution will be to finally keep a resolution," said John Hoffman, 54, of Mount Carmel.
However, Hoffman didn't have a resolution in mind when interviewed Friday.
"I have to think about it. I just got through Christmas and that was rough. I have bills and I pay them like everybody else," Hoffman said.
Silagy said one resolution people might consider is changing their view of credit cards.
"People don't think about the money they put on credit cards as debt. They think of it as part of their cash flow. And what happens is people, as a rule, will not consider any type of financial counseling until they bump the wall, like have a health issue or lose their job," Silagy said.
"So people have to change their way of thinking. Credit cards give you a false safe feeling. The industry has taught people that the way to get out of debt is to get further in debt. You'll see ads that are essentially saying 'Hey, take a vacation! Here's a credit card.' You have to change your mind set. The schools don't teach it, the art of handling money. It's a very strong area that people need help with," Silagy said.