by Ashley
We’re formally midway by 2025, so I believed it was a great time to examine in on my objectives for the 12 months. This can be a nice alternative to mirror on what’s going nicely – and the place I nonetheless have some work to do.
Purpose #1: Journey Much less.
Grade: C+
I traveled a lot in 2024 that I’d hoped to cut back this 12 months. I’ve pre-written and scheduled this publish, however as that is revealed I’ll simply be wrapping up every week lengthy journey in Hawaii! Whereas I initially thought this may be my solely journey of the 12 months, that has not turned out to be the case.
To date, 2025 has included fairly just a few mini-trips:
- January – Journey to Austin with the youngsters after my Dad was placed on hospice
- February – Weekend road-trip with the youngsters to go to household in El Paso (so glad we went as a result of…)
- April – Household journey again to El Paso for my husband’s grandfather’s funeral (we had been capable of see grandpa earlier than his well being all of a sudden declined!)
- Might – Journey with my sister to unfold my Dad’s ashes in Utah
- June – Work journey to DC
- June – Household trip in Hawaii
Truthfully, I’d’ve given myself a decrease score (touring each single month seems like an “F” when the objective was to journey much less). However I’ll by no means remorse touring to see household when their well being is ailing (like our January and February journeys), or touring for household funeral and memorial-related visits (like our April and Might journeys). These journeys had been rooted in love and household, and I’d make them once more in a heartbeat.
That stated, I’m hoping issues relax a bit and we will stick nearer to dwelling for the rest of the 12 months. Fingers crossed!
Purpose #2: Investments.
Grade: A+
We’re going sturdy with our investments! We have now a various mixture of accounts – from high-yield financial savings and CDs to mutual funds, retirement, and single shares. We’ve began monitoring our web price with the intention of working towards our objective of buying a rental property within the subsequent 12 months. I really feel actually good about our progress right here.
Purpose #3: Open an LLC.
Grade: A+
Simply final month, I formally opened an LLC! I’m so excited to make use of it as a basis to develop our enterprise portfolio. We plan to make use of the LLC after we buy our rental property. And though I haven’t talked about this right here earlier than, I’ve been working behind-the-scenes on a guide proposal with a objective to complete it by the tip of summer time. If (when!) it sells, I’ll do this by the LLC, too.
One other profit? I hope to finally make use of the ladies as they develop – serving to with clerical duties, social media content material, and extra. I’m desirous to get them began with Roth IRAs as soon as they’re capable of contribute to the enterprise.
Purpose #4: Interview (& rent?) a monetary planner/wealth supervisor.
Grade: A+
At first of the 12 months, we began the method of interviewing a number of monetary planners. I likened the expertise to courting. We had “first dates” with 5 completely different corporations, and went on “second dates” (the place we offered all our monetary particulars and acquired pattern plans) with 2 completely different corporations.
In the long run, we didn’t rent anybody. One firm we favored extra by way of character match, however their returns averaged solely 5% – which I can get from a high-yield financial savings account! The opposite appeared stronger on the monetary aspect, however I didn’t love the advisor’s character and there have been some obtrusive holes within the plan (no allowance for new-to-us vehicles, school financial savings, and so forth.). Certain, this stuff can simply be up to date and altered, however it simply felt like he was possibly just a little bit flustered and over his head – not an awesome match.
Though we didn’t find yourself hiring anybody, I nonetheless give myself an A+ for having gone by the total course of and making an knowledgeable resolution (although the choice was to not enter into an settlement with anybody presently).
Purpose #5: Spend money on what issues.
Grade: B
I’d already began shopping for extra high-quality meats and produce, however I’ve not made an enormous quantity of progress on switching to different “clear” merchandise like sunscreen, make-up/moisturizer, and so forth. I’m just a little embarrassed to confess this now, provided that we’ve been on a seaside trip slathered in chemical sunscreen. Most likely ought to’ve thought that by.
Nonetheless, it’s not a failing grade. I have switched to aluminum-free deodorant, and changed our previous poisonous (i.e., non-stick with scratches) bakeware for larger high quality ceramic-based merchandise. This may proceed to be a piece in progress
Total Ideas
I’m proud of the place we’re at general. For the rest of 2025, I hope to journey much less (for actual, this time!), proceed our saving and investing, and make extra considerate purchases in relation to what we put in and on our our bodies.
How are you doing along with your 2025 objectives? Are there any adjustments you wish to make within the second half of the 12 months?
Hello, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at coronary heart. Lover of operating, running a blog, and all issues cheeeeese. Early 40s, married mom of two, working in academia. Attempting to lastly (lastly!) repay that ridiculous 6-digit pupil mortgage debt!
