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 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 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'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 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.
What is retirement anyway? Is it getting up early and losing your creativity? I can't even think of it. We are created to create and we all need to exercise and use our talents until our last day and breath. Social security and monthly retirement income is great but the day we start to think of ourselves as 'old' or 'retired' is the day we start losing it all.
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 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!
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.
Your post, I must admit was well received as it should have been. Everyone made valid points that solidified your statement on what money can't buy.
Thank you for your awesome post and as well to those whose comments were just as meaningful.
I would add: SKIN LOTION! Often, the cheap price means that the lotions is VERY WATERY....and really, just a waste! (This I have learned from personal experience)!
Hi, I'm not sure where you're writing from, but pork certainly was NOT cheap this year. Bacon went to over $4.50 per pound and stayed there. It had been low for years, about $3.00 a pound for bacon, and that is probably too cheap. But here in the midwest of the U.S., where most U.S. pork is raised and processed, bacon was not cheap. Pork chops have been at $2.89 per pound, and pork roast at about $2.69 per pound.
You are right about gasoline and heating oil - the prices for those have been falling and continue to fall.
I am wishing for a drop in beef prices, which have been high for the last few years.
Basically no one should be doing all these things, especially complaining. I remember once I came across a forum for married guys complaining about their wifes and hard life they have with them......and this is delirious...how can this solve their problems???.....yeah, they will talk with people who understand them and came through the same stuff, they will cry together and...nothing...and as stated at http://socialmediaessay.com/ this becomes just an addiction.....an addiction that can ruin your life......you won't even realize that you are spending hours on useless stuff while they should be taking things into their own hands and doing stuff but not complaining about their unfortunate life or become an internet troll to release their anger.....with all these technologies we are loosing connection to the real world and to the people that matter.......I have no idea where we are going........
I've been mystery shopping on and off for the past ten years. It is a fun diversion and a good way to make a little extra cash. I have a professional job and wouldn't consider doing this more than on an occasion.
Since the pay is nominal, I only do shops that fit into my lifestyle. For example, a grocery store that gives reimbursement or a small amount of money are great because I'm going to buy groceries anyway. I've also done restaurant and takeout shops at places I like to eat. I might do retail stores nearby if I plan on window shopping or making a purchase at the mall. I don't do shops in out of the way locations, or that involve taking, uploading pictures. I also like to group shops together that are in the same general location, since it doesn't pay well enough to run all over town for.
Sometimes there are nice opportunities for trusted shoppers. If you've done a good job and are consistent, some companies will reach out to offer plum gigs to you. For example, I've been offered free eyeglasses and exams, reimbursement for tires, and so forth.
If you're observant, detail oriented, organized, and good at writing reports, mystery shopping can be a great way to make a bit of extra money. I don't ever want to make over the 600 bucks per company, so it is definitely an occasional thing.
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 made my goal of traveling more within our state in 2015. We went to some places we had never been before.
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 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 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'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 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.
What is retirement anyway? Is it getting up early and losing your creativity? I can't even think of it. We are created to create and we all need to exercise and use our talents until our last day and breath. Social security and monthly retirement income is great but the day we start to think of ourselves as 'old' or 'retired' is the day we start losing it all.
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.
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 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!
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 saved for a few years to be able to get a better car for me and my family. I made my goal last year!
I achieved my goal of buying a new house.
I achieved the goal to boost my emergency fund
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.
Your post, I must admit was well received as it should have been. Everyone made valid points that solidified your statement on what money can't buy.
Thank you for your awesome post and as well to those whose comments were just as meaningful.
I would add: SKIN LOTION! Often, the cheap price means that the lotions is VERY WATERY....and really, just a waste! (This I have learned from personal experience)!
Hi, I'm not sure where you're writing from, but pork certainly was NOT cheap this year. Bacon went to over $4.50 per pound and stayed there. It had been low for years, about $3.00 a pound for bacon, and that is probably too cheap. But here in the midwest of the U.S., where most U.S. pork is raised and processed, bacon was not cheap. Pork chops have been at $2.89 per pound, and pork roast at about $2.69 per pound.
You are right about gasoline and heating oil - the prices for those have been falling and continue to fall.
I am wishing for a drop in beef prices, which have been high for the last few years.
Thanks for your article.
i have 1 GB ram i cant play games which needs 256 MB ram cant this step work to solve this
thanks for some new tips i think trick #3 faster square root. It is amazing..
Basically no one should be doing all these things, especially complaining. I remember once I came across a forum for married guys complaining about their wifes and hard life they have with them......and this is delirious...how can this solve their problems???.....yeah, they will talk with people who understand them and came through the same stuff, they will cry together and...nothing...and as stated at http://socialmediaessay.com/ this becomes just an addiction.....an addiction that can ruin your life......you won't even realize that you are spending hours on useless stuff while they should be taking things into their own hands and doing stuff but not complaining about their unfortunate life or become an internet troll to release their anger.....with all these technologies we are loosing connection to the real world and to the people that matter.......I have no idea where we are going........
I bought a new house!
I've been mystery shopping on and off for the past ten years. It is a fun diversion and a good way to make a little extra cash. I have a professional job and wouldn't consider doing this more than on an occasion.
Since the pay is nominal, I only do shops that fit into my lifestyle. For example, a grocery store that gives reimbursement or a small amount of money are great because I'm going to buy groceries anyway. I've also done restaurant and takeout shops at places I like to eat. I might do retail stores nearby if I plan on window shopping or making a purchase at the mall. I don't do shops in out of the way locations, or that involve taking, uploading pictures. I also like to group shops together that are in the same general location, since it doesn't pay well enough to run all over town for.
Sometimes there are nice opportunities for trusted shoppers. If you've done a good job and are consistent, some companies will reach out to offer plum gigs to you. For example, I've been offered free eyeglasses and exams, reimbursement for tires, and so forth.
If you're observant, detail oriented, organized, and good at writing reports, mystery shopping can be a great way to make a bit of extra money. I don't ever want to make over the 600 bucks per company, so it is definitely an occasional thing.
I had family that I hadn't seen in years visit me this year.