Editor's Note: Congratulations to Kat, Lynda, and Carmen for winning this week's contest!
Many people like to set goals at the beginning of the year. Some goals fizzle out, but others are important enough that we working at it until we achieve the goal.
What goals did you achieve in 2015? How did you stay motivated throughout the year? Do you have any goals that you'll try again in 2016?
Tell us about the goals you achieved in 2015 and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
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I read more books in 2015 and got rid of some clutter as well. In 2016, I want to read more books, lose weight, and find more freelance work.
I achieved the goal to boost my emergency fund
I achieved my goal of buying a new house.
I saved for a few years to be able to get a better car for me and my family. I made my goal last year!
This year I was able to really add to my emergency savings fund and it is now able to cover about four months of living for my wife and I. 2016 will be a big savings year as we set aside money for our first child and aim to get a new car.
I completed my Master's degree! This has been a goal of mine since dropping out of high and opting for a GED instead. When I graduated college with 2 bachelor's degrees almost 10 years ago, I promised myself I would complete a Master's program and I finally did it!
We have decluttered our home and halfway done paying off medical bills from surgeries. This 2016, I will adapt healthy eating and add fitness goals. Pay off the rest of medical bills and live off our means. Cheers to stress-free (money-wise) year ahead!
I made all my investment (401K and Roth IRA) goals this year. I'm hoping to the same next year, as well as learn a new foreign language.
I set one goal for 2015 - complete 6 running races, about one race every other month. While it didn't keep me as consistent with my running as I'd hoped, it was very helpful in keeping me focused on my physical fitness. My goal for 2016 is similar. I plan to (mostly) "race with a cause" and seek out events that donate at least some of the race proceeds to people in need.
I've been eating more vegetarian/vegetable-centered meals and cut my meat consumption back significantly. Having a CSA has really helped with this goal. Next year, I want to be even more adventurous with our cooking and try to recreate more vegetarian dishes from around the world.
I passed my written exam and oral exam in my Ph. D program! I finished all my coursework, including 2 foreign languages (French and Latin). I have been making soup and freezing it, as well as eating out less, to cut down on expenses and stay in my budget and remain debt free.
I enacted my plan to pay off my home mortgage by the time I'm 40. I'm currently slightly ahead of schedule thanks to a better than expected bonus at work. I also put 15% of my gross income into retirement and maxed out two Coverdell ESAs for my children's college.
It was a great 2015, and I'm looking forward to an even better 2016!!
I finally paid off all my credit card in 2015 and put more money away in savings. I also took two trips (one of my annual goals is to travel more). I worked extra hours and tried not to buy too much non-essential stuff to make these happen. Seeing my savings account balance grow was very helpful in staying on track.
I made my goal of traveling more within our state in 2015. We went to some places we had never been before.
Thanks to monthly savings and investments over time, I was able to purchase the slightly used car that I really wanted. 2015 was a great year for me!
I maxed out my 401k and remained on track with my girls' 529 plans. I contributed the additional amount I planned toward my mortgage. I hope to achieve even more in 2016.
I reached my goal of drinking 8 glasses of water daily.
I became a member at a yoga studio and started attending classes more often. I saved some money for house improvements, but want to do much better next year. I had a protracted illness and discovered I have celiac disease, which required me to change my diet completely. I've done well at recovering my health, adhering 100% to my gluten free diet and taking the supplements that are helping a lot.
lost weight
Paid off my credit card!!!
I read a book each week!
I cleaned out my garage.
Kept out of debt and stayed within my budget. Also paid money to lower my son's school loan debt.
I was able to save a lot of money in 2015 and I will continue to try to carry on the tight budget for 2016 as well.
In 2015, I learned to cook healthier for my family! I have so much more to learn in 2016!!! In the form...my copy paste didnt work for my twitter link...here is my tweet
https://twitter.com/ilovemybeagle22/status/682227433353838592
I planned ahead more, stuck to schedules and procrastinated less!
I made progress towards my career goals and moved. I also got to spend more time with family. In 2016, I would like to become more involved in my community.
I found a new, better-paying job before the year ended! It's been one and a half years of working hard to get this new job.
I paid off my car!
I achieved my goal of traveling more in 2015.
Went to all my doctor appointments.
I was able to pay off some debt.
We got a fence built around our yard to keep the deer out!
My goal in 2015 was to be more active. I've taken tennis lessons and started Classpass!
I moved to a new city, found a job that I love, bought a car, learned Spanish... I'm proud of myself!
I earned my annual bonus!
I read more in 2015 than in 2014, finished a few looming DIY projects, and we just started a savings goal to boost our savings in December and we're already 25% there (it's a 120 day challenge). I can't wait to see what greatness 2016 holds!
I found a job and stayed in school, maintaining a high grade point average.
As a student in college, I achieved my goal of being financial independent. I was able to rely on my own income and make my own financial decisions, without borrowing from friends and family or relying on them. Being financially independent is something I strive to become better at in the future.
New jobs for me and my husband!
I achieved my goal of loosing 60 pounds.
I lost 10 pounds and ate healthier this year.
* I have a voice actor demo reel.
* My craft studio is now functional.
* I quit a job I no longer loved.
* The backyard is now vegetable-garden-meets Versailles instead of just grass.
I have been making New Year's resolutions for over 30 years. Every New Year's Day I sit down and write them. I have found that some resolution are accomplished over time. That is, I will make a resolution but see that it might take several years to actually accomplish it. That is why writing them down and keeping them together so I can read them and reflect on them has inspired me to keep doing it. Seeing the progress I've made over all these years has kept me inspired to keep it as a ritual every year.
2015 was a great year. I accomplished several:
Payed off all my debt
Started a small business that has taken off
Have a yoga practice I'm committed to.
All of these New Year's resolutions were ones I've actually been working on over several years. However, it was this year that I finally accomplished all 3.
Planning for 2016 to build on all 3.
I listened more and tried to keep my opinions to myself more often than not. Not always easy but I think it made my life a lot less stressful, surprisingly.
Started reading adult (non-children) books again
I moved to a new city and found a great job!
I now have an amazing boyfriend and I'm happy with my new life
I lost 20 lbs. in 2015
I paid off my extended financing before there was interest due.
I got a raise at my work!
I found a new primary care doctor and worked on some health problems
Had a baby and kept him alive and thriving haha
I traveled somewhere I had never been before.
I became more mindful with meditation.
I bought a new house
I paid off my student loans!