I see a number of entries and forum posts on the topic of financial goals for 2009. As I peruse them, it occurs to me that I really don't have any such goals. My goal for 2008 was to pay off the home equity loan. I did that on Saturday. We are now debt-free except for the mortgage. I'm going to add part of the former home equity payment to the mortgage, part to general savings and part to adding texting to our cell phone service.
I really haven't identified any other goals or change in plans for 2009. Everything is cruising along smoothly. I don't anticipate any changes in my employment or DW's employment.
We haven't made any definite travel plans but have pretty much decided to go to Disney World for two weeks at the end of August.
I'm hopeful that neither of our cars will need replacing in the coming year.
There are some things we need to do around the house, but nothing overly costly that would require special planning. Just stuff that can be covered out of our regular income.
We always max our Roths. DW contributes the maximum allowed to her 401k. Thanks to paying off the HEL, I just upped my savings rate from 19% to 20%. As always, in June, I'll see where things stand and up it to 21% July 1st if that seems doable.
There just isn't anything big on the 2009 horizon.
Am I supposed to have goals?
December 24th, 2008 at 12:16 am
December 24th, 2008 at 12:54 am 1230080091
I was going to say, um, yeah, it's good to have goals (not that they need to be annual or in the same form as everyone else). But it sounds like you do already have some goals in mind.
December 24th, 2008 at 01:43 am 1230082987
December 24th, 2008 at 02:33 am 1230085984
Like monkeymama said, when I read your post it sounds like you already have goals:
- Save 20% of income (consider upping to 21% in July)
- Max out Roths
- Wife max out 401K contribution
I suppose if you're looking for a goal, you could set a goal regarding college savings, now that your daughter is getting older? (Do a checkup on where you stand, and adjust college savings if necessary.)
December 24th, 2008 at 03:00 am 1230087613
I agree with everyone else that you seem to have your priorities in order.
December 24th, 2008 at 03:14 am 1230088469
LOL . . . . IMO, everything you stated qualifies as a goal. :-)
December 24th, 2008 at 04:09 am 1230091792
December 24th, 2008 at 02:08 pm 1230127696
The only thing I listed that would be a goal to me is upping my savings to 21% mid-year.
I did think of something else, though. I'd like to shop around for auto and life insurance quotes to see if we can reduce those two costs. I'm pretty sure we can. So I'll make that my goal.
December 30th, 2008 at 02:01 am 1230602475