By: Revanche

2019: New year, new plans

January 14, 2019

Hello 2019!

I started breaking out the new calendar year goals into a new post last year and I like that format.

{Money Goals}

I don’t know what PiC’s raise will be this year. I assumed he would get something nominal, though that could be wrong and I’m making myself paranoid about assuming right now. They had a few rounds of layoffs and normally that would come with a hiring or salary freeze year but there was confirmation that some raises were happening. I already negotiated mine for the new year, so that’s set and budgeted: we’re splitting it between our regular savings and saving for big expenses. Whatever PiC’s raise is in the spring, that’ll go into savings and cover increased expenses. Daycare will go up again, I’d love to put a little bit more toward mortgage principal, we’ll also need to add (and pay for) some activities for JB this year. If he doesn’t get one, I’ll shuffle our savings rate around a little to take care of those expenses.

1. Investment vehicles: Max out PiC’s 401(k), both IRAs, reduce contributions for JB’s 529 to the annual $5000 Dependent Care FSA. I’ve got enough left from our cash savings in 2018 that was intended for investing to cover our IRAs right off the top this year. I set aside the cash for JB’s 529 at the end of last year and was able to do that for PiC’S IRA, this year we saved diligently enough that I can take my IRA out of the monthly equation. That will increase our cash flow by $459, which goes straight back into investing. I’m reducing the 529 contributions so I can focus on our retirement contributions this year.
2. Save 35% of our income in cash for investing. This continues to be a stretch.
3. Invest at least $30,000.
4. Reduce mortgage principal by $15,000.
5. Maintain charitable donations at same level as 2018 or 10% more.
6. Maintain side income at $3500. This is going to be tough because none of this income is passive and we’re pretty crunched for time with the adjustments to our jobs of late. Edited to note: This is per year but I wouldn’t say no to per month! 
   
7. Create a FIRE outline. I’m still putting this one off. Our assets are low in comparison to even our lowest milestone goal for being comfortably retired.

{Health & Fitness}

I’m not in the mood for a lot of detail this year. Keeping it simple.

1. No sugar, low carb.
2. Walk every day, maybe hike the dogs twice a month.
3. Put on sunblock always.
   
4. Put JB in swim and self defense classes. ($200 a month, I think)

{Life}

1. Continue to deal with the consequences of adopting a second dog – training, socializing, training, and training!
2. Take a pretty cool vacation.
3. Be grateful that I have an incredible partner and that I love my chosen family. Use that privilege and gratitude to help others.

:: What are you working on in 2019? How are you working on becoming the person you want to be ten years from now? Who would that person be?

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