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And here we are on the cusp of the end of yet another year. As I illustrated yesterday, 2011 was a fabulous year. I am bound and determined to make 2012 just as wonderful. I'm not one for making resolutions, but I do have some goals/items of focus for 2012...
1. Pass Level II of the CFA. I started studying on Monday, so am already working towards this goal. I'll be talking more about that next week. Level II has the same pass rate as Level I did (around 40%) and is harder than Level I so I have my work cut out for me!
2. Run a sub-4:10 marathon. Yep, I am back to marathoning, even though I swore I'd never do another one after Portland. According to a pace calculator, I could run a 4:02 marathon, but I think 4:10 is a good goal. That would shave 12 minutes off my last marathon. I haven't decided on a race yet, but am leaning towards the DC Marine Corp marathon in the fall. But I am open to suggestions - so if there is a fall race (preferably late October/early November) in your neck of the woods (wherever that may be), I'm all ears!
3. Save, save, save. I did a whole lot of traveling last year - and I do not regret a single trip, but this year needs to be a focused on saving. I've got a sickening amount of student loan debt from my MBA program and a mortgage on a condo that I'd like to continue to chip away at so that eventually I can sell it and not have to bring a huge check to the closing table. I have set an aggressive student loan pay down goal - it's doable, but will definitely require me to adjust some spending habits.
4. Abstain from buying books. This pains me, but is one way I will focus on saving instead of spending. I have 4 shelves of unread books. I can borrow books from the library - either the physical version or I can download them on my nook. There really isn't a great, justifiable reason for me to buy any books this year. If I do get any B&N gift cards for my birthday, I will make an exception. I have never gone a year without buying a single book, so this will be a challenge for me, to say the least.
So those are some of my goals for 2012. I feel that, with hard work, they are achievable!
This is my last post of 2011! I hope that everyone has a safe and happy New Year!
What are some of your goals or resolutions for 2012? How will you spend NYE? I'll bring in the new year with my family - 4 of us 5 kids will be together with my parents so it should be a blast!
26 comments:
2012 looks like it's going to be another jam-packed year for you! I definitely remember those posts where you said you were finished with the marathon as well!
I'm hesitant to set resolutions for 2012, but I do like the idea of goals! All of yours are great, and completely doable!
One of my main goals is to bulk up my savings again, and possibly set aside a third account for travel. I have never done that, and I think it's necessary now if I want to travel more!
I need to control my book spending as well. I don't think I could go a year without buying books, but I am going to put myself on a strict budget with a dollar amount each month. I was terrible in 2010 and 2011 with how much I spent on books and I too have way too many unread books on my shelves!
You will definitely pass this exam- I think those 60% are not nearly as willing to work and smart as you :)
I like these goals, realistic but good. I need to set some of my own.
I hope you have a wonderful New Years with your family. My bad cough from a few weeks ago is back and worse than ever, so I'm hoping it's going to be a relatively calm New Years for me. I'm hoping for a delicious dinner and watching some fire works on the beach.
GOOD LUCK WITH THE STUDYING! I believe in you.
I'm trying to reign in my spending and chop away at my loans. What a feeling it will be to have them paid off!! It will take me YEARS though...one month at a time.
Marathon again, huh? I'm putting a half-marathon goal into my goals this year...to avoid the temptation, though I know I'll get the itch!
Enjoy your new years celebration, sounds like a blast!
I'm seriously impressed with your no-book resolution. Something tells me that may be the hardest one for you :) Since moving back home, I've actually gotten back into going to the library and I don't know why I stopped going for so many years. It's true that it is exciting to crack open a book for the first time - but I do love the variety of the library and the fact that it's free! Always a good thing. Can't wait to hear how this goes for you!
You inspire me with your running goals..seriously. I don't know that I will ever be able to run a marathon (not sure if I will ever want to) but I am definitely feeling a half marathon somewhere calling my name!
Happy New Year, Lisa!!
But there's going to be so many good books coming out in 2012!?!? I know I say that every year. I'm saving by only buying kindle books. Less space on the shelf and they are cheaper than paperbacks.
Still, I know I have a problem. Come to Raleigh in the fall!
Such great goals! I really admire your financial goals and can't wait to follow along as you train for a fall marathon!
I still have to recap December and evaluate how I did with those goals, so I'm hoping that I can get one more project finished today. I have a 2012 goals post coming probably on Sunday.
I'm going to a movie with a friend during the afternoon on NYE and then M. and I will have a quiet night at home - make dinner and probably watch a movie.
I should probably also jump on the "abstain from buying books" bandwagon because I have SO MANY books at my house that I haven't read yet! Literally dozens. If we run out we can mail each other books for a book swap!
Great goals! Totally attainable. :)
I love the idea of New Year's Resolutions (or goals, what have you) because they give you something to strive for and I always look forward to declaring one of them complete! It's a great measuring tool. :)
Happy New Year!
I think those goals are doable! If you find a marathon to run, let me know! I also need to abstain from buying books. I have so many that I have not read yet, and besides, it's so easy to get them from the library!
I agree with you on not making resolutions, but you have to have something to focus on...so I set goals too, even though I think the stats say you normally only complete 50% of them!
I have to agree that the hardest goal will be not to buy any books! But with all your studying and running, you may not have as much time to read this year! Looking forward to seeing you tonight! Safe travels!
Saving is one I need to put on my priority list in general. With a small margin, I need to really build up a cushion in case any emergencies were to come up. But currently, I'm trying to save for a sunny vacation for us. Slowly but surely.
PS- You can definitely do a sub 4:10 marathon.
Great goals!
I want to save too, and I always REALLY need to refrain from buying books, and get around to reading the ones I have.
We are having friends over for a vegetarian dinner for NYE.
I am really torn between saving and traveling. I wish I could manage them both at the same time! Good luck with your goals in 2012!
You are such a hard worker and you always give 100%+ so I have no doubt in my mind that you will do great on this next CFA exam and with your running goal!
I def admire your go getter approach!
Saving this year as well so we can have that check ready to give to the bank and be in a bigger place this summer/ fall.
Great goals friend! Mine are run a 4:30 or faster marathon in May, read more books and save more money. So kind of along similar lines :)
I definitely have some spending habits I need to reign in a bit as well *ahem online shopping ahem*.
I heard from a co-worker (his wife ran MCM) that it was the best one to do. He said it was great and his wife loved it. I really try to not buy books but sometimes if I really love a book I want to have it forever!
Love your goals!! I've tried the "don't buy books" thing and it's very hard for me as well. I'd love to say that I would have the will power, but I'm not sure I'm there yet. Especially considering I work in a book store with a considerable discount, I think it would take something very serious for me to stop buying entirely. But I'm rooting for you, and you can totally make it happen! Debt is the least fun thing in the world and you'll feel great if you can get through a big chunk of it in 2012.
Student loan debt is my enemy too, but I want it paid off. I actually pay more towards my loans than anything else on a monthly basis, which is kind of ridiculously. But it also means I'll pay it off sooner and pay less overall. Still it's a little ridiculous to think how much more money I would have if I wasn't having to pay it every month.
Great goals for next year! I have three big goals - two of them being project (with end result), and one maintenance - I'm going to be blogging about them soon I think!
Those are good goals. The book one is one of mine. I realised I was spending about £30 a month on books, and that mounts up to quite a lot over a year!
You WILL pass your exam and succeed in your marathon time, and I look forward to reading about it when it happens!
I'm posting mine in tomorrow's New Year's post, so c'mon by! Yours are very exciting! By the way, I saw a cute Eiffel Tower ornament at Target in the half-off section. If one is close to you, check it out -- you never know!
Good luck, I know you will kick ass at anything you stick your mind too!
I don't really have goals or resolutions. When I want to do something, I commit to it at that time, not just because it's January 1.
There is a certain marathon in Chicago in October every year. AHEM! =) I've run both DC Marine Corps and Chicago marathons. I will warn you that while the DC marathon is more visually appealing (you run by a ton of monuments, through parks, along rivers, etc.), it also comes with a fair share of unexpected hills. I have no regrets that I ran it, but I didn't expect to get a PR while running.
I like the idea of not buying any books in 2012; now that I think about it, I only bought two books when I first moved and then one to read on my nook at Christmas! Everything else I borrowed from the library or read off the books I currently own that needed to be read! I don't know if I can commit to no books since I kind of love my nook, but I can certainly cut back!
My biggest thing this year: cutting out stress/saying no. Will be tough but I know I can do it (in time!)
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