Former academic turned CPA/Financial Planner (CFP(r))
My philosophy
Invest wisely and for the long term. Invest in yourself and not just in the market. While sometimes you need to be frugal to save funds to invest, at other times, spending more money in the short term will yield more valuable long-term results. Think about major decisions, THEN make saving for them automatic. Creating good financial habits and systems is key to success. The goal is not to die with the most money, but to live a full, meaningful, and satisfying life!
Goals for 2024
Word of the year = Simplify and key areas of focus = health, wealth, and systems, habits, & routines.
1. Health: Maintain/improve on health gains from 2021-2023. 150-300 "zone minutes" per week. Keep up the running and run the Turkey Trot next November in under an hour. Add in "micro workout" resistance training weekdays. Take kayaking lessons over the summer and possibly try stand-up paddle boarding.
2. Wealth: Continue to save, and to pay down total debt to 60k by January 2025.
3. Systems, habits, and routines: Improve workflow to get tasks completed earlier. At home, add some time weekly and monthly to maintain my filing system, and bring in some professional help to declutter the guest room.
Home Improvement Projects for the next several years..not sure about order
2018: landscaping (some)
2019: decluttering (some); main roof coated (10-year warrenty)
2020: replaced front & rear porch roofs
2021: replaced water heater; washing machine, A/C, bed; plumbing upgrades; decluttering;
2022: nada
2023: replaced refrigerator
2024: decluttering; possibly replace oven and dryer, but first take care of hopefully minor electrical and plumbing issues.
2024-28: replace dryer & oven (last of the original appliances that came with the house in 2005); external painting; front steps; door/window updates; update kitchen & bath; replace current car
2029-2031: consider selling & moving to a home more suitable for retirement.