Well, Merch seems to think that if I developed some goals then I wouldn’t be using Baseball boy’s parent's approval as a benchmark for whether I have achieved success or not. I agree, but wow, creating goals seemed like such a monumental task. And then the confusion that would set in if things changed on me!
But by assuring me that it is possible to have crazy things happen like get married, lose/gain jobs and have kids, and STILL be able to work towards goals, I have decided to take on the task.
To the left, you will see all new information. They are my 2008/ 2009 goals. They are really what I was planning to do all along, but now they are on paper rather than in my head. I tried to put them in a timeline order to organize them. And I am not sure if they are kindergarten-y and 'not real goals' or not. 'Buying a house with 20% down' is a real goal. 'Adopting a pet and paying all costs upfront' is...kind of common sense for a person who lives in SavingsAdvice-land. But each of those little goals is a $4-500.00 expenditure, so it will be a little tough for me to come up with the money over and over in the next 5 months.
I must say that it was easier than I thought, and much more satisfying than I thought it would be.
I thought that because my fiancé has such an unstable career, and we moved around a lot, and I am not sure what or where my lifestyle fits in, that goals would be impossible. Right now, Baseball boy's job is priority number 1 and everything else kind of falls into the cracks.
But I was able to make goals! And just to brag a little, but I am impressed with myself for being in a position where I think I can get these all done. I am excited to get started. I can see the upcoming financial roadblocks now, and I can actively plan for them, rather than know it's some expense coming up in the not to distant future. And I can see how faltering at each of these roadblocks could set me on a path to debt, so maybe these goals are important to overccome.
I think there is something to say for writing down goals and accomplishments.
Thank you Merch. I know I need long term goals too, but I am taking a break on the goal thing for a little while. And thank you everybody who has taken the time to read my thoughts and give me honest feedback.
My Goals!
July 30th, 2008 at 05:03 pm
July 30th, 2008 at 06:00 pm 1217437206
With that, great start and I am glad you are feeling more empowered in your life. And long term goals are just big goals that take years to complete, like fully funded etirement account. Sure, you don't have one now but you will need one later in life. And some of your short term goals could support this.
But again, great start. And thanks for the shout out. ceejay will tell you that I am a taskmaster.
July 30th, 2008 at 06:00 pm 1217437251
July 30th, 2008 at 06:19 pm 1217438398
July 30th, 2008 at 06:39 pm 1217439540
July 30th, 2008 at 07:11 pm 1217441480
What kind of dog are you thinking about rescuing?
July 30th, 2008 at 07:16 pm 1217441792
July 31st, 2008 at 01:19 am 1217463576
Good job.
Oh, and stay away from petfinder.com ... Very, very dangerous site for a dog lover who is a sucker for a sob story.
July 31st, 2008 at 01:31 am 1217464311