Iowa & Illinois Have Two Very Different Top New Years Resolutions

We're wrapping up 2023 and setting goals for 2024, but the Mississippi River apparently splits that too.

Do you even bother making New Year's resolutions anymore? Studies show 80% of resolutions fail. I always plan to lose weight every December 31st, which gets a halfway effort every year, but setting the goal does add some motivation to it.

I don't even remember what my resolution was for 2023 (if I even had one) but Iowa and Illinois have our resolutions set for the new year and they're pretty different from each other.

Zippia looked at every state's top New Year's resolution, based on Google Trends. They looked at the amount of search queries related to common New Year's resolutions by state to figure out what we want to do in the new year.

Iowa's Top New Year's Resolution

Iowans want most to save money. That's our top resolution. It's definitely one I could stand to work on but sometimes I just need my $8 iced coffee.

It's hard to save money when the economy is what it is and all of us just wanted groceries for Christmas at this point. NerdWallet has some good ideas on little tips and tricks to save yourself some cash next year.

Obviously, one really good way to save money is to go out less. Less trips to bars and restaurants, but that's not an option for Illinois' 2024 goal.

Illinois' Top New Year's Resolution

Illinois' top New Year's resolution is dating. That's a pretty broad net to cast but includes going on more dates (either with your partner or meeting new folks) or getting better at dating by searching 'dating advice' (lol).

I can confirm the dating pool in the QCA feels more like a swamp. Romance aside, few things drain your bank account quicker than starting to actively date someone. Suddenly you're going out a lot more than you normally do and you're paying for two.

My advice for that is to either split the bill or alternate who pays for what dinner or outing. Last night was my turn to cover dinner for myself and my date, this weekend will be his turn.

So maybe in 2024, you can both save money and go on more dates. Best of luck with either one. You'll need it.