2008 Personal and Financial Goals
Personal
*Increase productivity
After reading this article on Wise Bread, I realized that I spend way too much time being non productive. I really want to take the time to focus in things that will help develop my interests in personal finance, frugality and put more energy towards course work. My plan is to make sure that every waking moment counts and in doing that I will be more productive. No more waiting up late for Big Shots to start when we have Tivo.
*Join more personal finance forums and network with more personal finance bloggers
While I’ve been a reader of so many personal finance bloggers I never joined in on their discussions. While I enjoy many of the other blogs I read I plan to cut back so that I can make more time for the interests that drive this blog and many other personal interests. I have wanted to start this blog since securing the domain back in 2003 but never really found the time. Now I am making the time and it feels great!
*Spend more time with my husband
This really should go without saying but with our schedules sometimes its hard. Now that he is done with grad school we should have more time, ideally. This year I will make an active effort to spend more quality time together.
*Exercise and Increase Personal Health and Well Being
I am a part of a local exercise group so I plan to exercise regularly since we are imitating Biggest Loser by having teams and weigh ins. The challenge lasts through labor day so this gives us enough time to get on and fall off the wagon in pursuit of our collective goals.
Find 3-4 hours each week to workout. 3 times during the week and once over the weekend.
Yoga. I wish I did more of it but alas this semester I will only have time to do it at home because of 12 hour days. Nevertheless I hope to get some in before going to sleep at night and in the mornings before work.
Thai Massage and Phoenix Yoga are two other relaxation modalities I plan to increase this year. Hopefully I can get 2 sessions each season because not only are they useful in physical relaxation but they help in understanding where your body holds stress and the source of the stress.
Get back on the vegetarian bandwagon. Nuff Said.
Personal Finance (will expand on this in an upcoming post)
*Save $1000 per month. Will increase to $1800 once debts are paid and even more once husband’s raise kicks in.
*Pay down minor debts less than $1500
*Dedicate $1500 per month towards debt reduction
*Determine how much to contribute to our 401k plans.
*Start paying ourselves first via ING and OneUnited Bank
*Start reading up on investing in the stock market
*Increase emergency fund to $30,000. I go back and forth with the figure because we are a young couple with no dependents but I need to do more research. I don’t like the ideal of having that much money in a HYS account when I can possibly net a higher ROI if I check out other avenues. Then come my concerns about liquidity. If we were in a bind, how fast can we have access and what would it cost us? Must research this.
*Reconcile Mint transactions weekly in order to keep track of our spending
*Increase personal finance knowledge and implementation. Knowledge —> action is lacking on my part right now
Rules
I will not succumb to impulse shopping. I will allow myself one week to decide if I/we really need want an item over $50. This means that the Dyson Animal, new Faberware cookware set and ultimate carpet cleaning are a go!
We will reduce if not eliminate eating out for the rest of the winter months. We spend a bit on eating out and as such we really should cut back in this area. I don’t think this will be an issue in the colder months.
Reduce random trips to Target and CVS. They are the debil.Â
Only shop on designated grocery shop days which will be the 2nd and 4th week of the month. Â
Large 2008 Purchases/Savings Goals
$800-42 inch plasma TV
$1200-50 inch plasma TV
$2500-Dale Sofa from ComfortSource.com
$8000-Hardwood floors for upper and main levels
I think they should be a bit more specific and I will do that in an upcoming post. This just helped me lay out my plans and I will flush these out a bit more. This is a working document so it’s open to changes as I/we progress through the year.
About the Author: Girls Just Wanna Have Funds is for the woman that wants to take charge of her personal finances. We value budgeting, investing, frugality and remain mindful of our spending habits. Move over and make way for women who are in control of their financial destinies and not afraid to say it. We're armed with a positive net worth and not afraid to flaunt it while breaking financial ceilings one stiletto at a time!
Amy | Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
Discipline is key! You can do it! This blog is a journey based on your own story which makes YOU the expert!
Love the colors and style! And the name!
Fabulously Broke (8 comments.) | Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
I *heart* your goals because they’re so close to mine
Esp about debt reduction and buying less…
Tia | Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
This is great stuff! This is new… you don’t see many people write openly about their finances but I guess writing it down helps.
Love your site girl!
Yakini (2 comments.) | Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
Great goals! My primary goals for 2008 include personal finance (improving it!!!), geting a job come July, and focusing on skincare, with hair care goals achieved over the last two years. I love how you broke yours down into more concrete parameters though… i think i may do the same!
Ginger | Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
@ Yakini-thanks! Im with you on the hair and skin care, but Ive always thought you had great skin!! When you break it all down it makes me more specific. I plan to do a more specific post using the SMART technique Ive seen used by Mapgirl and FabulouslyBrokeInTheCity
Tia-Seeing people open with their finances is new to me as well but Ive definitely embraced it. I get a kick out of looking at other folks finances for some odd reason lol Helps me gauge where I am or should be or hell could be.
FB-Thanks for stopping by!!!! You were so specific with your goals so that helped me shape mine.
Thanks Amy!
Natasha | Jan 17, 2008 | Reply
Girrrrrrrl, you are so on point.
For me debt reduction, eliminating eating out, controling impulse shopping rank HIGH, HIGH on my list. Love your site!