A Year in Review
I keep posting super sporadically as I’ve been drowing in work as of late. But now that I’m on holidays, I figure I should do an update. I’m going to try to post (minimum) twice a month next year, hopefully it goes more to plan than this year.
But, on for the fun — here’s what I planned for my 2011 goals, and here’s how it really went down:
2011 Financial Goals
I have a few big goals over the next few years in terms of finances, including…
- Pay off my $10,000 student loan by the end of 2011:
SUCCESS! — paid this off by Oct 2011 - Save $10,000 by the end of 2011 (for retirement/down payment)
SORTA — My bonus got bumped to January, so I figure I’ll hit around $9,000 by then. - Buy a home in the next few years
ON TRACK — planning for late 2013 - Earn an additional $5,000/year from sources other than my full time job
FAIL — earned approx $500. Didn’t feel like working, after working a fully day! - Become financially independent and work for myself
ON TRACK — but no set timeframe
- Career wise, I got promoted and now have more responsibility, more opportunity, and several direct reports. This also included an increase in salary and annual bonus
- School wise, I finally graduated school once and for all with a degree, with honors!
- Finance wise, I increased my network by +25%
Overall, I’m fairly happy with myself — nocking off my student loan felt great, and I’m well on my way to having a decent down payment for my eventual home. I didn’t hit all the goals, but I got pretty far on the ones that mattered the most. I think I need to rethink my extra-income idea for 2012… just with how my work is, I don’t think its going to happen.
For 2012, I’m going to come up with a list of goals — mostly focused around saving, eating out less, finding the work/life balance, and becoming more active.
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Congrats on meeting and making headway on most of your goals. Given the fineancial climate the past couple of years, it is great to hear that you are finding ways to persevere.