What are your goals for 2022?

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 1, 2022 10:40:54 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

The minor one:  I have to confess I am a freeloader.  I'm not stealing my neighbor's Wi-Fi, using a family member's streaming services ID or anything else where I'm evading fees I should be paying, but I've never given a dime to Wikipedia, I use the freebie versions of workout videos and always opt for the free podcasts with commercial messages.   I really need to actually support a few of these entities this year.

I have been watching genealogy webinars most of 2021 and they are scheduled at least through January of 2021.  They don't ever mention donations but I know this cost them something to get all of the software, etc.  Apparently they did put on seminars but the webinars have expanded their reach immensely.

I have made donations to them because I know it isn't cost free.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

[vonna]

[ners]

From last year

I do not make resolutions.



Some things I would like to improve in the new year:



1. My attitude at my job or seriously start looking for another job. (I hate job hunting). - Actually, called a recruiter the day before my dad died.  Never revisited.  
2. Keep getting in steps and work on strength training and or yoga.- Was on pace to hit step goal until I broke my arm. Plan derailed. 
3. Do not gain weight and try to loose weight. - Did not gain weight.  Not much weight loss.


Not sure what my goals for this year should be.  Here are areas I need to improve

1. Attitude - remember to be grateful.
2. Keep weight off and possibly lose a few pounds.
3. Stay as healthy as possible. 

[mamasita99]

Dec 30, 2021 20:56:07 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Dec 30, 2021 8:03:03 GMT -5 mamasita99 said:

Since we are moving in a month, I will be taking some time off of work until we figure out how long we will be living there. We just have to try it out and get a more realistic idea of what we are going to do long term. In the meantime:
1. Lose 10 stinking pounds.
-Change my food habits. I head to junk food when I am under stress or feeling miserable but I know better.
2. Learn something new professionally.
-Finish online data analysis certificate program.
3. Make my savings last since we will be overseas and I will be jobless for some time.

Mind sharing what your certificate program is? I've been looking at coding bootcamps which opened up all kinds of rabbit trails of programs.

I’m brand spanking new in the technology world, so I am just completing the Google data analytics certificate program. It’s through Coursera, so it’s an affordable way for me to peak inside this whole new world for me. I’m a behavior analyst (as well as special Ed teacher!), but I’m feeling the burn out from 8 hours of direct interaction a day. I want to explore something totally new to me. Since I love using data in my job, I figured this program would be a good start. They have other programs there for programming, etc.

[mamasita99]

Also, I want to start journaling again. I think it will help me with anxiety and organization. Plus I miss writing. I had a personal finance blog at another site that maybe I should pick back up. I’m so shy, even on the Internet lol.

[jerseygirl]

Jan 1, 2022 13:00:12 GMT -5 mamasita99 said:

Dec 30, 2021 20:56:07 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Mind sharing what your certificate program is? I've been looking at coding bootcamps which opened up all kinds of rabbit trails of programs.

I’m brand spanking new in the technology world, so I am just completing the Google data analytics certificate program. It’s through Coursera, so it’s an affordable way for me to peak inside this whole new world for me. I’m a behavior analyst (as well as special Ed teacher!), but I’m feeling the burn out from 8 hours of direct interaction a day. I want to explore something totally new to me. Since I love using data in my job, I figured this program would be a good start. They have other programs there for programming, etc.

Can you use this in Australia?

[mamasita99]

Jan 1, 2022 13:16:22 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Jan 1, 2022 13:00:12 GMT -5 mamasita99 said:

I’m brand spanking new in the technology world, so I am just completing the Google data analytics certificate program. It’s through Coursera, so it’s an affordable way for me to peak inside this whole new world for me. I’m a behavior analyst (as well as special Ed teacher!), but I’m feeling the burn out from 8 hours of direct interaction a day. I want to explore something totally new to me. Since I love using data in my job, I figured this program would be a good start. They have other programs there for programming, etc.

Can you use this in Australia?

Yes, that’s actually another reason for me to start this program. I will have the opportunity for remote work.

[Ava]

I'm surprised I didn't participate in the 2021 thread.
Making New Year goals is one of my favorite things this time of year.
I guess I was overwhelmed with the pandemic and everything that was going on then.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I'd like to try a gratitude journal. I used to love writing too but lost the habit. I had an online journal when I had Gwen. I wish I had printed it off before it shut down.

One of these days I need to see if the mods can go through the old kid thread Virgil was kind enough to bring over and find those posts.


I think one of those journals with prompts would be great because it's simple and prompts will keep me from getting in an anxiety feedback loop over trying to figure out what to write.

[Deleted]

Jan 1, 2022 16:44:23 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

I'd like to try a gratitude journal. I used to love writing too but lost the habit. I had an online journal when I had Gwen. I wish I had printed it off before it shut down.

One of these days I need to see if the mods can go through the old kid thread Virgil was kind enough to bring over and find those posts.


I think one of those journals with prompts would be great because it's simple and prompts will keep me from getting in an anxiety feedback loop over trying to figure out what to write.

I have one called Day One that has prompts every day. You can add pictures and have it all printed if you ever want to. I still haven’t made a habit of using it regularly, but I think it’s worth checking out if you are looking for something like that.

[tcu2003]

One of my girlfriends got me this gratitude journal last year:

Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52 Week Guide To Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude: Gratitude Journal smile.amazon.com/dp/1976436184/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_05K2W2QYSQTR6YHK410Y

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

My daughter got me this one for my birthday in November. I've decided to start using it with the New Year.  

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

jobs/housing
We have plans for this year--as opposed to goals or resolutions that will dictate one of my goals
We're selling our house, finding new jobs, and moving somewhere. 
A goal within that is to not go into any debt except for the next mortgage. 

professional education
I'm also continuing in a three-year doctorate in educational leadership program. I'm in the middle of the second year, so the plan is to advance to candidacy by this summer. I currently have a 4.0--though there are at least two classes I'm not sure I actually earned that 'A'. Within that plan is one goal: to maintain that GPA. My BS was semen laude (while having two children), and my master's GPA is a 3.85; I know I'm capable of the 4.0 for my DEd. 
 
equanimity
--focus on good, not get bogged down in bad
--not have knee-jerk reactions to challenges, frustrations, annoyances
--not use food or wine to numb bad things
--track this by journaling
--when I do have a detrimental reaction to something, make sure I both acknowledge it, reflect on it, and apologize for it

physical health
--lose 20 pounds (2021's goal was to lose ten pounds, and I went the other direction.)
--consistently exercise four to five days per week
--track this with myfitnesspal for weight and a daily & yearly tracker for exercise

[raeoflyte]

Jan 1, 2022 13:00:12 GMT -5 mamasita99 said:

Dec 30, 2021 20:56:07 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Mind sharing what your certificate program is? I've been looking at coding bootcamps which opened up all kinds of rabbit trails of programs.

I’m brand spanking new in the technology world, so I am just completing the Google data analytics certificate program. It’s through Coursera, so it’s an affordable way for me to peak inside this whole new world for me. I’m a behavior analyst (as well as special Ed teacher!), but I’m feeling the burn out from 8 hours of direct interaction a day. I want to explore something totally new to me. Since I love using data in my job, I figured this program would be a good start. They have other programs there for programming, etc.

Thank you! That's a great idea!

I really want to move in that direction, and there are so many programs available. They're expensive and huge time commitments though and I'm not in a huge rush to leave my field. I hadn't thought to check out coursera or udemy, but that could give me a better idea of which bootcamps to narrow in on before spending a bunch of money.

[Sharon]

I moved to a new city at the beginning of December and so far it is the best thing I have done for myself in a long time.

For 2022

The house I purchased needs some major renovations to update and make it better.  I want to get started on that process

I want to find more activities so I'm out and meeting some new people.  Right now I only really know DD and her family and don't want to depend on them for all my social activities.

Work with DD to get our cottage business off the ground.  We are working on plans to have a booth at a local Saturday market and possibly do some other street fairs/markets.

Get my pastures in shape so that we can get cows.  This is another project where DD and I will be working together.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Jan 1, 2022 13:00:12 GMT -5 mamasita99 said:

Dec 30, 2021 20:56:07 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Mind sharing what your certificate program is? I've been looking at coding bootcamps which opened up all kinds of rabbit trails of programs.

I’m brand spanking new in the technology world, so I am just completing the Google data analytics certificate program. It’s through Coursera, so it’s an affordable way for me to peak inside this whole new world for me. I’m a behavior analyst (as well as special Ed teacher!), but I’m feeling the burn out from 8 hours of direct interaction a day. I want to explore something totally new to me. Since I love using data in my job, I figured this program would be a good start. They have other programs there for programming, etc.

Thanks for the tip. I've been considering beefing up my statistics and data analysis skills but finding affordable programs has been difficult.

Plus my job does not allow for me taking time off for classes, yet another reason I miss the university, so I need something I can do on my own time.

Creighton has an adult program for $3k but if the Google program is cheaper that may be the route I take.

My company will only do tuition reimbursement if it directly applies to my job. I'm thinking about talking to my new supervisor and see if he can help me make a case for it. Otherwise I'm not shelling out $3k for a program.

[raeoflyte]

Jan 2, 2022 12:18:54 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Jan 1, 2022 13:00:12 GMT -5 mamasita99 said:

I’m brand spanking new in the technology world, so I am just completing the Google data analytics certificate program. It’s through Coursera, so it’s an affordable way for me to peak inside this whole new world for me. I’m a behavior analyst (as well as special Ed teacher!), but I’m feeling the burn out from 8 hours of direct interaction a day. I want to explore something totally new to me. Since I love using data in my job, I figured this program would be a good start. They have other programs there for programming, etc.

Thanks for the tip. I've been considering beefing up my statistics and data analysis skills but finding affordable programs has been difficult.

Plus my job does not allow for me taking time off for classes, yet another reason I miss the university, so I need something I can do on my own time.

Creighton has an adult program for $3k but if the Google program is cheaper that may be the route I take.

My company will only do tuition reimbursement if it directly applies to my job. I'm thinking about talking to my new supervisor and see if he can help me make a case for it. Otherwise I'm not shelling out $3k for a program.

$3k sounds pretty reasonable from what I've been looking at. Is it virtual and what does it cover?

One community College here has a $5k program for front and back end web development. The other ones I've talked to at $8-12k.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Jan 2, 2022 12:45:00 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Jan 2, 2022 12:18:54 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Thanks for the tip. I've been considering beefing up my statistics and data analysis skills but finding affordable programs has been difficult.

Plus my job does not allow for me taking time off for classes, yet another reason I miss the university, so I need something I can do on my own time.

Creighton has an adult program for $3k but if the Google program is cheaper that may be the route I take.

My company will only do tuition reimbursement if it directly applies to my job. I'm thinking about talking to my new supervisor and see if he can help me make a case for it. Otherwise I'm not shelling out $3k for a program.

$3k sounds pretty reasonable from what I've been looking at. Is it virtual and what does it cover?

One community College here has a $5k program for front and back end web development. The other ones I've talked to at $8-12k.

$3k is affordable if you have that to spare. I'm still busy repairing the damage DHs habits have done to our finances in the past two years. I can't be assured I will recoup the $3k and we're too deep in the hole to charge it.

But if I can get reimbursed it will work.

I also need to dig deeper into it because reading the description it's for people who already do something similar. It's more how to clean up and make data pretty.I want to dig into actual stats and development of experiments.

Which I can already sort of do. The Google program sounds like it might fit better. I want to learn software.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I'd like to pivot into other areas of research basically but my stats and data analysis are what is weaker. I don't need to learn how to organize and present I've done that.

I need to know more than graphpad software and excel. I need to know how to design from the ground up.

I'm going to bring it up if I have time in the career consult I have tomorrow. If the price is right and she's a good fit I want t work with her to recruit my resume and what I need to do.really pinpoint my weaker areas.

[stillmovingforward]

Drama - you could also try contacting the software company for ideas and help. I've known a few that had free classes or vouchers for classes. It's in their economic interest to have people know how to use the software. Worth a try.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Jan 2, 2022 13:12:06 GMT -5 stillmovingforward said:

Drama - you could also try contacting the software company for ideas and help. I've known a few that had free classes or vouchers for classes. It's in their economic interest to have people know how to use the software. Worth a try.

Maybe.

There is a lot to think about which is why I've reached out for help. Learned from the hospital fiasco that I get too myopic and rush in blind.

I also want to write. I'm second Author on two papers butbI didn't write them. I started while in the college of pharmacy but lost that job before I could really take off.

Hindsight is a bitcg but if I could have I should have stayed with L longer she was really supportive of me learning stats and we would have moved into writing.

But again I got too hyper focused on getting out of academia. I want to do things smarter and better this time. It's overdue for me to be proactive instead of reacting.

Which I know now is my anxiety. I need someone whose job it is to help me not do that. I was turned off career coaching due to the stupid way our school system does it. I need to listen to you guys more. That's why I reconsidered it.

[stillmovingforward]

I think the job coaching you are going to tomorrow is fantastic idea and I hope it goes well. You must let us all know what its like!

[Deleted]

I am still trying to figure out my goals.

The only thing I’ve come up with so far is a goal for my income in 2022, which is about $10k over my base salary. Some of it will happen automatically because my regular work schedule includes Sundays and I get paid an extra 25% on Sundays. Working holidays could help, but when I work holidays I prefer to take the option of 8 hours of leave over 8 hours of holiday pay. Sooooo, I’ll have to work a little OT to meet that goal.

Which is why I didn’t make the goal higher. I haven’t worked OT in over 15 years and I feel like I need to ease my way back into it instead of trying to jump in with both feet, and getting overwhelmed before I even get started good. If I get into the swing of things as far as working OT, I can always just work more.

I think about money all the time now, because I want to retire the minute I can make the numbers work. Currently, 20% of my gross salary is going to my retirement accounts, I’ve increased it 2 or 3 times during the 2 1/2 years since I moved with Mister, to get to that amount. And the last time I increased it, I had that bump go to the Roth option in our retirement accounts. I did that after my thread “Let’s Talk Numbers” or whatever I titled it, talking about retirement.

I still don’t really understand how Roths work or the difference between the Roth option in our plans vs getting a Roth account or whatever on my own. I just know that the money I put there is taxed, vs the rest of my retirement money that isn’t taxed now and will be taxed when I start using it. I just feel like it will probably take forever to make decisions if I wait until I fully understand everything and come up with a real plan for retirement, (because I am the Queen of procrastination) but if I just go ahead and start putting money away, I have time to figure it all out and adjust where and if I need to.

After my birthday last month, I am now old enough to take advantage of any early retirement offers my employer might make. But I need 1 more year of service. And of course, I’d still need to be able to make the numbers work. They haven’t offered it in several years now, but I’ll probably cry real tears if they offer it soon and I can’t take advantage of it.

My current living situation is the best opportunity I’ve ever had and probably will ever have, to save as much money as possible, because between jumping up and down with my Mom about her paying to live in my house that still has a mortgage payment and the fact that Mister pays most of the bills here, all of the bills I have to pay total less than $1k/month. And Mister has offered to take over the bills I insist on paying here (utilities, internet and cable) if it will help me save more for retirement.

I am considering taking him up on that, since we don’t seem to be really operating based on the kind of “we”, that I tend to operate from. So if it’s every man for himself, I need to just look out for numero uno, instead of trying to be a team player. And if we really aren’t a “we”, there are some more moves I need to plan for.

So I have lots of things to think about and try to figure out as far as what’s best for me in 2022. 

I’m very grateful that I have the income to have options, and even for the opportunity to increase my income by however much OT I can stand to work. I just need to figure some shit out.

[giramomma]

Jan 2, 2022 13:05:24 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Jan 2, 2022 12:45:00 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

$3k sounds pretty reasonable from what I've been looking at. Is it virtual and what does it cover?

One community College here has a $5k program for front and back end web development. The other ones I've talked to at $8-12k.

$3k is affordable if you have that to spare. I'm still busy repairing the damage DHs habits have done to our finances in the past two years. I can't be assured I will recoup the $3k and we're too deep in the hole to charge it.

But if I can get reimbursed it will work.

I also need to dig deeper into it because reading the description it's for people who already do something similar. It's more how to clean up and make data pretty.I want to dig into actual stats and development of experiments.

Which I can already sort of do. The Google program sounds like it might fit better. I want to learn software.

A couple of things.

Gently. December was a 3 paycheck month for you, as you posted on that on the what are you up to thread. Would have been possible to take the 3rd paycheck and put it towards the 3K? What about the birthday money from your DH? This year, I got $200 from DH for Christmas. The last time he gave me a $200 gift was 13 years ago, to put towards a class I was going to take.  Otherwise, my gifts, probably on average run about $50/ traditional gift giving event.  The past few years it's been $25-50 for saint nicks and $100 for Christmas, and cards for the rest.

So, between your birthday and the 3rd paycheck, would that have been 1K? That's 1/3 of the cost. Maybe 3K isn't as insurmountable as you think.

Also, what about something like this:https://asq.org/cert/quality-inspector

Getting into quality means you could pivot to public or private entities. We have an adjunct faculty on campus in quality. He touches on stats and DOE. He teaches a full load, and is always asked to do more. Plus, he has his hands in a couple of businesses, and also he teaches non-credit courses. So, he's probably making some good money. 

[stillmovingforward]

I have that cert from AQS. Worth it's weight in gold.

[tcu2003]

Okay, I will probably edit these, but here is a start to 2022 goals:

Home:
Finish the basement (not just the construction part that DH is doing, but furniture and any decorations we want)
Either make my flower beds look good, or plant a vegetable garden (or both, but not holding my breath on that)
Replace dining room rug 
Declutter my closet
Paint the exterior of the house


Financial:

Max 401k accounts for DH and me
Max backdoor Roth IRAs for DH and me by end of January
Max mega/post-tax 401k option (or whatever it is called) for DH and me (this is $10k each at our employer)
Fund kids’ 529 accounts to amount we get a state income tax deduction for 
Set up wills/trust 
Set up a brokerage account for DH and me
Increase our charitable giving (and get the kids more involved in this)


Personal:

Read at least 36 books 
Try something new each month (recipe, restaurant, class, etc - anything as long as it's something new)

Family:
Visit all of our city’s parks
Vacation/explore someplace new
Be intentional about getting outside more (not sure if I'm going to track hours for the kids a la the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge or not, but at least be mindful about it)

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Three days in and I haven’t completely screwed anything up yet.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I reached out to the career counselor.  I think it will be a good investment now I just need to talk myself out of there being "better" things to spend the money on.

Especially as I am looking at rising costs and realize my salary has stagnated yet again.  I am underpaid according to market rate (this is an area wide thing it's why Omaha can't attract talent) and I am lucky if I get a 2% raise.  I got nothing in 2020 and they had to "fight really hard" for my 2% despite the company gloating about record profits.  2% isn't even enough to keep up with regular inflation let alone what is going on now.

If I am going to hope to leave an oversaturated underpaid market I need help.  I need the tools to be able to communicate why I deserve a higher price tag even though every single application I've ever filled out requires salary which shows they can low ball me.

[buystoys]

Go for it Drama!  You are the "better" thing to spend money on.  Think of it this way:  it's an investment in the future you who will be happier and get paid better.