I'm starting to think about our 2014 goals, and here's my current plan. I'll likely refine as we get closer to month end.
- Lose 10 pounds, bringing my weight to 135. I've really struggled to lose at my current weight & activity level, so I need to spend some time considering what's necessary to drop these last (very stubborn) 10 pounds. After my doctor's appointment & prescription complication, this goal is more important than ever. Time to focus.
- Continue tracking my food/exercise every day in My Fitness Pal. This has been tremendously helpful.
- Improve my fitness by doing the following:
- Complete 11,000 minutes of cardio.
- Complete 100 strength workouts.
- Complete 75 stretching workouts.
- Choose a half marathon to train for, and complete it! Sometime this spring.
- Have one date night per month with M.
- Plan one social/friend activity per month.
- Finalize will/guardianship.
- Save $50,000 towards a downpayment for a house in California.
- Put $5,000 in boys college accounts.
- Pay $30,000 towards our mortgage principal(s).
- Figure out a plan for vacation house.
- Track our all of our spending, stick to our budget, and create monthly spending reports.
- Plan an adult only vacation with M!
- Likely most importantly, figure out the work/life balance, even if it means finding a new job. Money isn't worth the current schedule.
What about you? Are you thinking about your 2014 goals?
I like some of your goals - especially your fitness ones. They are not over the top, but would definitely keep you on a schedule.
ReplyDeleteI become a slug if I don't have specific fitness goals! :-)
DeleteLooks like good goals. I really like the date night once a month. We need to be better about that. I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble with work/life balance. That stinks that they're expecting so much already.
ReplyDeletePart of it is the nature of the industry (a 24x7, global retail business). Totally get that, but I wasn't hired to do operations, & yet somehow. . . that's all I'm doing. I wouldn't have taken the job if I'd know this is what it entails. And, quite frankly, my health just can't handle it.
DeleteYou've been in the industry long enough to know if the work load is just an initial "ramp up" or a sign of continued things to come. This is a tough one. Hopefully there are opportunities out there that will balance out the expensive location with the rest of your life so you can enjoy it in a healthy way. Why did you guys decide on renting out your Seattle home instead of selling it?
ReplyDeleteA very small part of it is a ramp. The rest is a combination of other factors, but the biggest one is that my role is supposed to be strategy (longer term) focused, but the person who is on day-to-day operations is both out of the office unexpectedly for an extended period of time, as well as not great. I'm picking up all of the slack right now, as well as I need to closely monitor him when he's back.
DeleteWe're renting our Seattle house because we have a fantastic interest rate that we didn't want to let go of. We are breaking even on the property, and should start to generate cash in the next couple of years. We consider it part of our retirement portfolio.
You’re amazing! You already made your goal list even if its still December. You have a great list overall, both financially and your fitness goals. Just continue to be motivated, and for sure, you’ll achieve all your goals before the year ends.
ReplyDeleteJohn
People usually make their goals for the year on the first day of the New Year, but you prepared it beforehand. Which is great, because when it comes to your financial planning, it’s really better to figure out the best solution that can help you pay all of your priorities as early as possible. And with regard to your house in California, have you applied for a mortgage loan? This can be a great help in assisting you on paying your downpayment.
ReplyDeleteBarry Sutton @ Iron Point Mortgage