I know, I
know. It's January 5th. I'm way behind on posting my resolutions.
But, on the bright side (for me, not you), since most people have
already abandoned their resolutions by now, I look like a more
inspired, enlightened individual... one who can stick to her
resolutions and who will prosper in the year ahead.
Or maybe I'm just fooling myself.
Anyway,
since one of my tips in
my New Year's Eve post was to tell the world
about your resolutions, it seems like I should do the same.
Here's what I'm trying to accomplish in the year ahead, both personally and financially.
1.
Buy my first home - This has been a dream of mine for a long time.
Seriously, when I was a little girl, instead of dreaming about a fairy tale wedding or having a pony or whatever, I used to imagine the house I'd
have. I think this is partially because my parents are both into real estate, so they would take me with them to open
houses "just to look" when I was a kid. So, it was like I inherited one of their dreams (and they have a beautiful house now, so they're the right ones to look up to!) Anyway, I've been saving for a
down payment for a long time (and somehow most of that down payment
savings survived the epic financial crisis of the past year or so).
With the
$8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit (thanks taxpayers!) and the fact that my
30th birthday is just around the corner,
everything seems to be lining
up for this to happen in the next few months.
2. Earn $5,000
outside of my "day job" - I've been lucky enough to fall into a few
random freelance writing projects over the past year or two... enough to show me that I could
probably be doing a lot more freelance work if I start to seek it out more actively. I don't know if I'll ever be able to fulfill my
dream of working for myself, but it seems silly to not try to point
myself in that direction. After all, you don't know if you don't try.
And, this will go a long way toward helping me achieve goal #1.
3.
Run at least 350 miles this year - I never thought I'd be a runner, but
after completing a
"couch-to-5K" program back in 2007, I got hooked.
Not only do I feel healthier, I think it actually helps me
deal with stress better, keeps me from getting sick as often and helps improve
my overall outlook (which can be gloomy - especially when it's so bitterly cold
outside). I ran just over 300 miles in 2009, sort of in fits and
starts (one week I'd run 10 miles, then I wouldn't run at all for two
weeks). In 2010, I'd like to be more consistent with my runs.
4.
Finish my novel - That's right, I'm more than just a blogger musing
about personal finance. I'm also among the legions of writers working
on what they hope will be the "Next Great American Novel." Of course,
in reality, I'd be happy with "A Novel That Is Published." Either way,
I have to finish it first.
So, there you have it. Four big goals. What are your resolutions?