As Lez and I get bundled up ( 2*F with the wind chill) and get ready to head downtown for fireworks and fun, we both agree that we made 2008 a pretty good year. As we look back at some of the goals we created when we first started the blog nine months ago in March 2008, a lot has changed and we sure did learn a thing or two.
Here are some of the changes and lessons we learned, as well as an update on our goals from 2008:
Then: We began our blog with a pretty regimented numerical outlook on things. We focused almost solely on the power of savings, prudent investments, and whatever we could do or learn that would enable us to pull that far off retirement date a little closer. We focused on steady income, security through our jobs, and the elimination of student loans. [First post] [Make measurable progress over time]
Now: Today we look back and see we have shifted our outlook from a more “deferred life” plan to one of constructing flexibility and balancing quality each day with short and long term goals. It probably sounds a little fruity, but we realized that things are only as good as we make them, and have tried to eliminate the fear that comes with change and actually shift our lives as we continually discover what challenges and excites us. Yes, we have our periods of regression, times when we slip into mediocrity and laziness, but as long as we keep reflecting and measuring, those periods will remain short. [The same wind blows on us all] [The abandonment of work life balance: True job security]
Achieve a zero net worth…THE DAY OF ZERO – Yes “Zero is our hero!” but it’s going to be tough to meet our original goal. Unfortunately we have had some challenges and taken the “it’s easy not to” path for a period of time. Lez and I are re-crunching the numbers and it’s a moon shot, but something we are re-dedicating to. It’s just under 100 days from this posting, and over $19k to go…yeah, tell me about it!
2. Save for a house down payment. 20% would be around $40k for us, another big challenge in a years time but the only way to get there is through measurable progress over time. If we track it, we can achieve it.
3. Double our current blog readership. We love writing, learning, and reading the great blogs out there.
4. Continue to build alternative creative sources of income and work to publish our success (or failures) in this respect. Here is what we have started: AlternativeIncomeReviews.com
Total net worth: -$19,360
Change from November: +16.62% or $3,858
- Assets:
- Liquid: $16,199
- Investments: $12,067
- Liabilities:
- Student Loans: $66,409
- Credit Card: $2,097
- Spreadsheets:
- Net Worth calculation Spreadsheet
- Monthly Income and Expense Tracking Spreadsheet
- Alternative Income Tracking Spreadsheet
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvkiz_ut0Uc]
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Congratulations on a successful 2008!! I think it's great that you've put your goals out there for everyone to see and that you've made such great progress. The 'zero is my hero' is too funny. Keep going and let me know when you get to zero…I'll be sure to send you a gift.