2017 goals-- March progress reports?

[Apple]

I'm not a "New Year resolutions" person, but I always have some kind of goal that changes as life changes.  

Any goals for the coming year?

Mine (for now) are:

Continue to budget.  I started actually budgeting just over a year ago, and it's helped me to better focus on my savings goals.  So, I want to continue to do this (I use the non-subscription version of YNAB).

Save an average of $1k/month to help DS with college.  With child support, Oregon Promise, and my son's savings (he works 24 hours/week) combined, we should be able to get him through 4 years without him having to take out any loans.  

Make more stuff.  I picked up new hobbies this year-- quilting and crochet.  I hope to keep them going and want to make a quilt for DS and start making baby/children's quilts to donate to an NICU and the Ronald McDonald house.  I also want to make more clothing items.

Save at least $6k to go toward building the new house.

Continue to contribute 15% to my retirement.  Every now and then I reevaluate this to see if it would make more sense to raise or lower the amount, depending on current and expected expenses.  It won't hurt me long-term to drop it some, but it's pre-tax, so reducing it too much may be a wash after taxes.

My pay cut happens later this year, so it's important that I save as much as I can at the beginning of the year.

Exercise more, even if it's just getting up and walking more.  I gave myself a year to completely de-stress and feel normal again.  I'm still wearing the same size I was a year ago, so that's good, but I'm many sizes larger than I was just a few years ago, before all the crap at work started happening.  I'm in a much better place now, so it would be nice if my physical shape better represented that.  

[thyme4change]

The only year that I kept up was when I made my goals super specific and kept a checklist on the wall for a whole year. My goals were:

Ride bike to work 100 times
Go on kid-free nights out 15 times
Read 3 books
Save 10k

My checklist had 100 boxes under bikes, 15 boxes under night out, 3 boxes under books and 20 boxes under save. I checked them off when I did each one.

I only rode my bike 99 times. My husband said I could count it as a win. Everything else, I accomplished the full goal. Saying "more" never worked for me.

[whoisjohngalt]

Dec 11, 2016 13:18:54 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

The only year that I kept up was when I made my goals super specific and kept a checklist on the wall for a whole year. My goals were:

Ride bike to work 100 times
Go on kid-free nights out 15 times
Read 3 books
Save 10k

My checklist had 100 boxes under bikes, 15 boxes under night out, 3 boxes under books and 20 boxes under save. I checked them off when I did each one.

I only rode my bike 99 times. My husband said I could count it as a win. Everything else, I accomplished the full goal. Saying "more" never worked for me.

I LOOOOVE that!

[chiver78]

it's hard to fulfill a vague goal, you don't have a target to meet. it's like any sort of validation testing at work - it needs to be a measurable acceptance criteria. I love thyme's target boxes to check off. will have to work on that as I focus the goals I'll list here into things that are measurable. the list in this post is a first pass at best. 

1 - get healthier - plan out healthy meals vs. wing it and eat crap, cut back on drinking, exercise more. all of these are very easily attainable with my upcoming shift change, between only having to worry about me during the week and having daylight hours off work. I'm looking forward to this one
2 - reign in spending
3 - pay down debt. I need to take a closer look at exactly where I am right now, and what promotional rates will reset this year and when, so that I can map out the plan for this year. an added perk to the shift change is a pay differential, all of which is going toward debt payoff. 
4 - continue to distance myself from my toxic roommate. (this one's the most important)

[thyme4change]

Dec 11, 2016 13:42:49 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

it's hard to fulfill a vague goal, you don't have a target to meet. it's like any sort of validation testing at work - it needs to be a measurable acceptance criteria. I love thyme's target boxes to check off. will have to work on that as I focus the goals I'll list here into things that are measurable. the list in this post is a first pass at best. 

1 - get healthier - plan out healthy meals vs. wing it and eat crap, cut back on drinking, exercise more. all of these are very easily attainable with my upcoming shift change, between only having to worry about me during the week and having daylight hours off work. I'm looking forward to this one
2 - reign in spending
3 - pay down debt. I need to take a closer look at exactly where I am right now, and what promotional rates will reset this year and when, so that I can map out the plan for this year. an added perk to the shift change is a pay differential, all of which is going toward debt payoff. 
4 - continue to distance myself from my toxic roommate. (this one's the most important)

Number 1 is easy to turn into goals:

Plan a healthy dinner 150x (three times per week or 200 times, or 100 times)

Work out 150x

Drink no more than 300 drinks, or 200 drinks, or whatever

Number 2 is harder, unless you say something like spend less than x per week, and give a ck mark when you achieve it.

Number 3, make a thermometer type of chart, but put your total debt at the bottom and your goal at the top. Every few weeks, mark where you are.

Number 4 - no clue how you measure that.

[chiver78]

yup, totally with you. I just hadn't gotten that far.     I saw the thread and answered before I really had answers. 


right now, I'm actually putting together a (mostly) healthy lunch setup for my work week - Cobb salads. I've got separate containers of sauteed garlic corn, rinsed black beans, diced cuke, tomato, avocado and red onion, and chopped grilled chicken and some pepper crusted bacon (that's the treat lol...) that I will add to a bowl of salad greens I'll fill fresh in the morning.

I thought I'd be doing this later tonight, but I woke up from my nap to find that my roommate still isn't home from the field trip he was taking today. this adds to #4 - which I know isn't anything close to measurable, and I don't know how to do that either - because I'm not waiting around for him/them to do what I need or want to do today. I'm all set. 

[msventoux]

1.    Continue to fully fund retirement accounts/HSA and some taxable savings.

2.    Get healthier.  A nice vague goal.  This year I did pretty well.  I lost some weight, but more importantly kept up with an exercise program, even if it was half-assed.  I figured out what works for me and what doesn't work.  Now I just need to ramp up the intensity and consistency a bit.  I've noticed that when I let exercise slip I am more prone to feeling down, getting headaches and feeling exhausted.  At least with exercising I can feel exhausted, but have good reason to. 

3.    Do more creative stuff.  I've dabbled in calligraphy, sketching and watercolors this year.  I really enjoy it, but when things get hectic those are the first to go.  I need to make fun, creative stuff more of a priority.

4.    Read more.  I had a goal to read 52 books this year.  I think I'm at 26.  I'm not unhappy with that number as prior to that it had been years before I had read much for pleasure, and I used to be a voracious reader. 

5.    Continue to chip away at the little, nagging home projects that will make life better.  Something as simple as painting a couple of rooms has made the house seem newer and more pleasant to come home to.  The house is pretty much decluttered, now I need to work on making it even more comfortable and organized. 

[whoisjohngalt]

Dec 11, 2016 18:54:41 GMT -5 msventoux said:

1.    Continue to fully fund retirement accounts/HSA and some taxable savings.

2.    Get healthier.  A nice vague goal.  This year I did pretty well.  I lost some weight, but more importantly kept up with an exercise program, even if it was half-assed.  I figured out what works for me and what doesn't work.  Now I just need to ramp up the intensity and consistency a bit.  I've noticed that when I let exercise slip I am more prone to feeling down, getting headaches and feeling exhausted.  At least with exercising I can feel exhausted, but have good reason to. 

3.    Do more creative stuff.  I've dabbled in calligraphy, sketching and watercolors this year.  I really enjoy it, but when things get hectic those are the first to go.  I need to make fun, creative stuff more of a priority.

4.    Read more.  I had a goal to read 52 books this year.  I think I'm at 26.  I'm not unhappy with that number as prior to that it had been years before I had read much for pleasure, and I used to be a voracious reader. 

5.    Continue to chip away at the little, nagging home projects that will make life better.  Something as simple as painting a couple of rooms has made the house seem newer and more pleasant to come home to.  The house is pretty much decluttered, now I need to work on making it even more comfortable and organized. 

When we lived in MD, I took a calligraphy class and LOVED IT and was surprisingly good at it, even though I am not an artistic person at all.   I would love to take another one here, but haven't been able to find one.  I don't like self-teaching or youtube

Every time I set an annual goal to read X number of books, it seems so doable.  Like who couldn't read 52 books a year, right?  And every year I don't accomplish that goal.  I just don't read as much as I used to    Well, that's not true - I read every day - not just not grown up books

[countrygirl2]

The lose weight is back again but I am down 4 pounds so that's a nice beginning, hope

to stick to it to help DD not gain much.

Get the last 2 rentals ready so we can quit spending on those and see where we are.

I know they will make money but still hate to see it going out.

We plan to sell the duplex this year, hope we get a decent price from it.

Cash in a small 401k for our first required distribution this year.

Get a handle on what our income is so we can know the required taxes, etc.

Do a lot more traveling in the motorhome this year!!

Stay healthy, that's a big hope. As we age this one can become an issue at

any time.

[tcu2003]

1. Fully fund 401k and Roth IRA accounts for DH and I. We came close on the 401k accounts this year, so that one is doable, but will actually need to open a Roth IRA for DH and transfer mine to Vanguard to make that happen.

2. Contribute at least $150/month into each of the kiddo's 529 accounts. We still need to open one for DD, and she just started daycare last week, so we're still getting a handle on the new finances, but I'm hoping we can do more than this...we'll see.

3. Read at least 24 books. I read 30 this year, but a big chunk were while on maternity leave, so 24 is probably more realistic for 2017.

4. Put pictures in frames and hang for a gallery wall. I've wanted to do this for over a year, and haven't ever made it happen, so 2017 will be the year.

5. Connect with at least once friend each week. This can be in person, a phone call, email, or handwritten note.

6. Tell my husband and children I love them every day, as well as give hugs and kisses. I *usually* do this, but want to be intentional about it as those 3 relationships are the most important ones I have.

I'm still pondering what my work goal(s) will be this next year, so II'll probably update my list at some point.

[dee27]

1. Surprise DH with a short vacation for his 70th birthday and visit his BF in NC. Visit GKs.

2. Reinvest husband's RMD.

3. Cash flow the implant and cap for my tooth that was pulled this year.

4. Replace carpet in MBRM with $ from savings.

5. Buy a car to replace the current one? We saved the DP already.

6. Take a dance class w/DH.

7. Learn to use my new camera.

8. Reorganize recipe folders and address book.

9. Finish purging stuff in the garage.

10. Learn how to make cheese.

11. Take an art class.

12. Get a dog.

[Ava]

Pass the three parts of the CPA I still need to take before 12-31-17

I went down 56 pounds during 2015, then I maintained my loss during 2016.
My goal is to attain my healthy weight before year-end 2017

[thyme4change]

dee27 - check out the app "Pepper plate" - much easier way to keep recipes.

[dee27]

Thank you, thyme.

[whoisjohngalt]

I really need to cut down on food waste in general and how much food I throw away

thyme4change - how would you put that into a more specific goal?  You seem to be so good at it

[alabamagal]

We made significant improvement in our financial life this year. I measure it as net worth. Assets went up and debts went down. Want to continue that next year.

My other goal is to just survive next year.

I will have to have minor surgery Jan or Feb.

Youngest son graduates college in June and hopefully will find good job.

Other son getting married in June.

DD did quickly wedding this year, but planning a wedding celebration in August near time of my extended family's annual group vacation.

DH and I will have 30 year anniversary in July, but we are using all our vacation time for previous 4 items. Maybe we will wait and have a nice trip for our 31st anniversary.

[thyme4change]

Dec 12, 2016 20:43:43 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I really need to cut down on food waste in general and how much food I throw away

thyme4change - how would you put that into a more specific goal?  You seem to be so good at it

Do you want to waste less by eating more leftovers, or enforcing the eating plan of fresh foods, or having less food to begin with? Is the problem your shopping or your consumption? Is your goal to eat more? Whose goal is it to eat more? :cool:

[whoisjohngalt]

Dec 12, 2016 22:44:31 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Dec 12, 2016 20:43:43 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I really need to cut down on food waste in general and how much food I throw away

thyme4change - how would you put that into a more specific goal?  You seem to be so good at it

Do you want to waste less by eating more leftovers, or enforcing the eating plan of fresh foods, or having less food to begin with? Is the problem your shopping or your consumption? Is your goal to eat more? Whose goal is it to eat more? :cool:

I think two of my biggest problems are:  I don't use all the food that I buy and I don't make anyone finish whatever on their plates if they are not hungry.  So, I think it's a shopping problem and consumption problem!

How do I create a "check a box" for that?

[weltschmerz]

I shouldn't read so fast, apple.
I thought you were getting goats. You know, for lawn maintenance.

[msventoux]

Dec 12, 2016 23:07:47 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Dec 12, 2016 22:44:31 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Do you want to waste less by eating more leftovers, or enforcing the eating plan of fresh foods, or having less food to begin with? Is the problem your shopping or your consumption? Is your goal to eat more? Whose goal is it to eat more? :cool:

I think two of my biggest problems are:  I don't use all the food that I buy and I don't make anyone finish whatever on their plates if they are not hungry.  So, I think it's a shopping problem and consumption problem!

How do I create a "check a box" for that?

Make a checkbox for meal planning? Plan out your exact meals, shop frequently and don't purchase any impulse items not on the list.  I think there's probably plenty of bloggers with sample menus of how to shop weekly and use up all of the ingredients.

Also, exercise portion control.  Start with small portions.  Anyone can have seconds if they want it, but if they take seconds they have to eat it.  If they take seconds at dinner and don't eat it, they get it for breakfast.  If they don't eat it for breakfast they get it for lunch.  Worked for my family growing up.   

I don't remember how old your kids are, but if you don't want to be the mean mom and keep giving them the same thing until they eat it, could you set up some type of reward if there's no food waste?  Like one week or month with no waste you'll get ice cream as a family or some other special treat or outing. 

[thyme4change]

Dec 12, 2016 23:07:47 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Dec 12, 2016 22:44:31 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Do you want to waste less by eating more leftovers, or enforcing the eating plan of fresh foods, or having less food to begin with? Is the problem your shopping or your consumption? Is your goal to eat more? Whose goal is it to eat more? :cool:

I think two of my biggest problems are:  I don't use all the food that I buy and I don't make anyone finish whatever on their plates if they are not hungry.  So, I think it's a shopping problem and consumption problem!

How do I create a "check a box" for that?

I'm not big on forcing kids to eat. I think that has created a lot of obesity. So, I won't have good ideas for that.

But, planning your meals, shopping to the plan and then eating to the plan is measureable. Check boxes for each week you plan, shop and execute properly. Demerits when you don't.

[whoisjohngalt]

I used to be so good at meal planning when it was just husband and I, but not anymore.

Sorry to derail the thread!!

I should start my own, but we have had sooo many on the same subject

[cronewitch]

With the not wasting food make sure some food is savable like if you have fresh broccoli and don't eat it all you toss it but frozen you can make a smaller amount and leave some in the freezer. Only plan to eat fresh produce that doesn't keep a few days so plan your meals that need things fresh the first few days after shopping then switch to meat and potatoes with frozen veggies. Remember when something is 4-5 for a dollar you can get 2-3 or even one. Some foods are not good long like strawberries so use or freeze the first couple days and if you buy grapes eat them before you eat the apples. Serve the children only as much as you are sure they will want and if you don't cook enough food they can have fruit or applesauce later if still hungry, use smaller plates if they fix their own plates, luncheon plates are smaller than dinner plates.

[Apple]

Dec 12, 2016 23:10:21 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I shouldn't read so fast, apple.
I thought you were getting goats. You know, for lawn maintenance.

Well, not yet anyway...  maybe when I move onto the property (my brother and my sister both have goats, brother breeds them, sister has two females).

[Apple]

I've been working on less food waste as well.  The best time for that was when DS was going through his teen growth-spurts, seemed like there was never an issue polishing off leftovers.

Like Crone mentioned, I try to get on doing something with the food before it has a chance to go bad.  Freezing fruit (use in smoothies later), vegetables (for soup or broth), drying mushrooms if we won't get to them in time (have a dehydrator), etc.  One thing that helps me feel a little less guilty is having a compost roller (a 55 gallon barrel).  I don't really garden because I kill everything, but I can give the compost to my mom for their garden.

If kids are just putting too much on their plates and then not eating it, I'd use smaller plates for them.  

[wvugurl26]

Get CFE certification.

Get married and not lose my mind.

[chiver78]

Dec 13, 2016 19:21:59 GMT -5 alwaysbeoptimizing said:

increase NW 300-400K

in one year?? please teach me, I'm listening.

[Blonde Granny]

I think my goals for 2017 is to stop the ongoing "good intentions" that I have on actually cooking, IOW to stop buying food that I eventually throw out.

I also want to rein in some of my shopping that is what I call silly. I already have far too many clothes in my closet and I don't wear half of them, so why add more. I've also made a promise I will stay away from all sightseeing in the Michael Kors outlet store. I already have far too many of his handbags!!!

If I can just stay within the boundaries I've set using YNAB I should have enough left over each month to cover the cost of a couple more bus trips with the ladies without having to dip into my investments.

[azucena]

Dec 12, 2016 23:07:47 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Dec 12, 2016 22:44:31 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Do you want to waste less by eating more leftovers, or enforcing the eating plan of fresh foods, or having less food to begin with? Is the problem your shopping or your consumption? Is your goal to eat more? Whose goal is it to eat more? :cool:

I think two of my biggest problems are:  I don't use all the food that I buy and I don't make anyone finish whatever on their plates if they are not hungry.  So, I think it's a shopping problem and consumption problem!

How do I create a "check a box" for that?

My kids are 8 and 4, and we let them serve themselves at the dinner table but only one tablespoon scoop at a time. They will then brag about having 4 helpings of something like it's a big achievement but in total it's really just a typical serving.  This also works well with cereal when they use ramekin sized bowls; it really cuts down on wasting so much milk.  I've gotten some crazy looks when people hear them say I had 7 bowls of cereal for breakfast.

[Deleted]

Financial Goals:

1.  Sell townhome (close is 1/11, just need the appraisal to come out ok).  I will do a damn tap dance when that thing is gone.

2.  Max my 401k/DW TSP.

3.  Save 70k after tax (I don't put my goal at NW growth as I can't control total market return)

4.  Don't know what I'm going to do career-wise, I would of had a promotion to Director had I been willing to move to Europe but declined so now I essentially get to interview and have input for my next boss.  Who knows how this will turn out, I don't see myself enjoying taking orders from someone in a position I turned down.