I love a good self-help book. I could map out goals and make lists all day long. Just as I’ve read the personal finance must-reads, I’ve also read the goal-setting, mindset-making essentials from The 4-Hour Workweek to Four Thousand Weeks to Mindset (I highly recommend those last two.).
Looking at 2024, though, I don’t have specific financial goals. With about eight weeks until baby #2 is due, a toddler struggling with all the changes of being a toddler, and a husband working 12+ hour night shifts, I’m just trying to survive. Part of me is at peace with not making ‘progress.’ Thinking about what’s important and what I want in the short and the long term, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Plus, I get to remind myself that the economic model of financial planning (which, in a nutshell, has people not making ‘progress’ until much later in life since they have to spend more in the onset for education, starting a family, setting up their life, etc.) is on my side.
On the other hand, though, am I not setting high enough aspirations for myself? Should I be taking the time to learn things, develop ideas, and care for a baby when I could be making money?? ( a little bit of sarcasm sneaking in there)
Or am I just being realistic? Not from a reliable source, but I heard on the radio earlier this week that <5% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions. I don’t want to pretend I’m going to do something if I’m not going to do it. I’m not going to say I will launch a business that will make six figures this year or complete a Spartan race 4-months post-partum (learned that wasn’t realistic last time around) if it’s not actionable (i.e., not a SMART goal).
TBH, those are terrible goals to begin with - I am much more in the camp of effective goals that come with some actual doable actions, such as:
I will get better with money. -> I will read/listen to one thing about personal finances each week.I will make an appointment with a financial professional.
I will stop spending $8 for a fancy cup of coffee. -> I will buy an expresso machine and the ingredients to make fancy coffee at home for less.
Still, where does that leave me for this year?
For one, financial progress is not at the top of my list this year. As one of the rules of thumb likely falsely attributed to Warren Buffet suggests, identify the top 25 investments/priorities/things on your to-do list. What are the top 5? Ignore the rest. Or as one friend shared online, “New Year’s resolution idea…be a sentient ordinary blob.” The original author seemed to be receiving a lot of hate in the comments section that this was only for out-of-touch privileged people. And in a way, yes. However, mindset is not limited to those privileged in a certain way or level. You can change how you think, do, and feel about things in powerful ways without needing a ton of money, time, or other resources.
So that’s what I’ll be doing in 2024: investing in my family and myself and mostly ignoring the rest. In other words, just being a ‘sentient ordinary blob.’
Goals:
Keep a baby and toddler alive. That’s the minimum, but I want them thriving 😂
Take care of myself. These last weeks of pregnancy and the recovery are mentally and physically hard - I'm not going to pretend they aren’t going to require some care and attention on my part.
Sign up for Instacart when my husband returns to work. Even if it’s a few extra dollars, I am not about to interrupt nap time or healthy foods.
Make that pelvic floor therapy appointment. Spending on health is almost always worth it - and yes, I’ll be using my FSA.
Remember my other relationships.
Marriage is hard work. I should put some work in here.
Text a friend. It’s a small thing, but I'm doing it right now so I don’t forget (and want to do it more throughout 2024).
Always be learning.
I did the Goodreads challenge last year and want to beat that record. Of the 23 books I read, 22 were non-fiction.
I still need experience hours to be fully credentialed as an AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor), so I’ll be doing lots of learning/practice with that.
Listen to podcasts rather than music while exercising. I have listened to many hours of podcasts over the past few months doing this and think I will continue.
Start a business. After starting 2023 off searching for a job, I have pivoted to not wanting a job (at least any of the ones I’ve seen). I want to make my own schedule and my own money and build something worthwhile. In other words, Next Step Financial Advising - coming soon.
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