Happy New Year! Bonne Annee! Feliz Navidad! Oh, wait, wrong holiday.

Anyway, I’m sure you’re all finished your post-holiday shopping. It’s been nearly a week since the big night of partying, so you should’ve recovered by now. Most of you probably already have written your new year’s resolutions, but since I’ve been on vacation, I’m a week late. Not a great way to start the year, but hey, I have no plans of giving up procrastination, so it doesn’t really matter.

I could vow to eat better. Exercise more. Be nicer. Curb my road rage. Spend less (good one!). I should promise to cut carbs or swear off meat and just eat bread. Maybe I could become a vegetarian, take long walks on the beach and keep in touch with all of my childhood friends.

Nah.

Instead, I’m sticking to what I know. This year, I’ve drafted a list of 10 shopping resolutions. I may not find enlightenment, lose 10 pounds or decide to plan my high school reunion, but I may become a better consumer. You can keep your lofty goals. I’m sticking to better clothes.

1. If it doesn’t fit, I won’t buy it.

2. If I don’t love it, I won’t buy it. Both 1 and 2 seem like no-brainers, but if you’re like me, you probably have a closet full of things you’ve worn once or never worn at all. I know I won’t lose 5 pounds anytime soon, seeing as the gym is not high on my resolutions list, so why buy a pair of dream jeans?

3. I will shop around, even if it’s inconvenient.

4. I will buy the best I can afford, for the least amount of money. Sometimes a bargain isn’t a bargain. Cheaply made clothing isn’t worth a dime, while it often pays to spend a little more for a quality garment.

5. I will only spend what I have, not more. Yes, I’ve vowed to be debt-free in 2005. I’ll let you know how it goes.

6. If I do love it, I will put it on hold, just to be sure. An item that calls to me in my sleep from the service counter at T.J.’s is sure to be a winner.

7. If I must duplicate items already in my wardrobe, I’ll make sure it’s an upgrade. For example, I recently purchased yet another pair of Nine West black boots. The difference? Higher heels, pointier toes and treads on the bottom (a nod to practicality in a pair of otherwise frivolous stilettos).

8. I will not pay full price. With a few distinct exceptions. I’ve resigned myself to the sad fact that some things will never go on sale. Like the Coach bag my best gal pals recently bought for me because they got sick of hearing me talk about it. And bras? Don’t even go there. You get what you pay for.

9. I will set spending priorities, because if I don’t, I’ll nickel and dime myself out of the jeans by 7 for all Mankind that keep me up at night.

10. I will clean my closet. Again. My castoffs will be coming soon to a Goodwill near you.

ShopNotes

. Christian Feuerstein wrote to suggest a mention of charities helping in the aftermath of the tsunami in southeast Asia. Her two favorites are Mercy Corps (www.mercycorps.org), and Doctors Without Borders (www.doctorswithoutborders.org). Since they never pay full price, smart shoppers always have a little something left over to donate to a good cause.

. If you haven’t already heard, Marden’s in Brewer is a Gap lover’s paradise. On a recent lunch break, my editor and I did what we could to clear the place out, but there are still great jeans, sweaters, accessories, dress pants, cords, velvet blazers, jackets, skirts and T-shirts left. Best of all, the merchandise is from this season’s collection. I got a pair of jeans for $23.19 and a cozy sweater for $15.19. And I’m going back for more. Enjoy!

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.