Goals
While cleaning out my old computer's documents folder, I discovered a much neglected filed from 01/06/2010 entitled Goals & Planning. It is stunning to see how much has been accomplished this past year. As I mentioned yearly, I am not big on the whole New Year's Resolution thing. It's just an empty statement of idealism reflecting personal dissatisfaction with the current moment. But to put together achievable goals and to make a plan to make it happen--that can be done any time of year for any reason, not simply because you put a new calendar on the wall.
So what is left? While I started an automatic deposit into a savings account and by this summer will have three months worth of pre-tax income saved, I still believe I need to save more. That will be a long term item, as once the savings account is loaded, that extra money will be going towards car payments this coming summer. Oh yea, Saturn will be traded in this summer. :) We'll also finish paying off S's car before that happens. Not sure when I will be able to revisit increasing 401k investments or an IRA. Long term on that one, car purchase in the short term once the savings account is where it needs to be. I still want to get S and I a pair of kayaks. Finances for that will happen in 2012 most likely.
That doesn't seem like a lot of stuff left over considering what was accomplished this year. And a lot of that stuff I had already notated was a "down the road" planning item. Two other items are on there that should have gotten done and didn't. I'll need to give everything else some thought. I already have my skiing "to dos" in place this season. My first to do will happen this Friday when I finally ski Balsams. I got a bunch more of "firsts for me". This season is all about exploration... trying to rekindle my amazement and appreciation.... my excitement. So far, so good. And once we get a wagon, we're taking a vacation this summer. Oh where oh where to go? I just gotta bring work around and I think this next year will be quite the experience.
So what is left? While I started an automatic deposit into a savings account and by this summer will have three months worth of pre-tax income saved, I still believe I need to save more. That will be a long term item, as once the savings account is loaded, that extra money will be going towards car payments this coming summer. Oh yea, Saturn will be traded in this summer. :) We'll also finish paying off S's car before that happens. Not sure when I will be able to revisit increasing 401k investments or an IRA. Long term on that one, car purchase in the short term once the savings account is where it needs to be. I still want to get S and I a pair of kayaks. Finances for that will happen in 2012 most likely.
That doesn't seem like a lot of stuff left over considering what was accomplished this year. And a lot of that stuff I had already notated was a "down the road" planning item. Two other items are on there that should have gotten done and didn't. I'll need to give everything else some thought. I already have my skiing "to dos" in place this season. My first to do will happen this Friday when I finally ski Balsams. I got a bunch more of "firsts for me". This season is all about exploration... trying to rekindle my amazement and appreciation.... my excitement. So far, so good. And once we get a wagon, we're taking a vacation this summer. Oh where oh where to go? I just gotta bring work around and I think this next year will be quite the experience.