Long Islanders make resolutions for new year

Saving more, spending less. Buying a home. Being more bold. It's that time of year again - the beginning of a new year, in fact. And Long Islanders are making their resolutions. Here are some from people Newsday interviewed Friday:

Frank Avallone, 23 of Merrick, said he's hoping to be more conscious of his spending habits.

"My New Year's resolution is to save more money and spend less on things I don't need," he said.

Katherine Cho, 39, of Queens, a professor at Nassau Community College, said she is looking to lose weight and find a boyfriend this year.

"I've been lucky in a lot of ways," she said. "I'm praying for my friends who are looking for work that they find a job soon."

Xin Xin, 26, a medical student from Manhasset, said he is hoping to be matched to a residency program in neurosurgery in 2011.

"My resolution is to not be so afraid to make mistakes, to be bold," he said.

Paola Puig, 38 of Roosevelt, said she wants to spend more time with her children in the new year.

"I'd like my family to be healthy and peaceful," she said.

Aside from going to the gym more often, Matt Gelsomino, 27, of East Meadow, said his resolution this year is to buy a house.

"I'm wishing the housing market stays down until I close," he said.

Jamel Gayle, 26, of Brooklyn, said his resolution is to make and save more money.

"I want this to be a successful and prosperous year, because the same just isn't good enough," he said.

- Zeke Miller