Last goal update for 2008

This is the update I like — the one where I get to cross stuff off for the entire year. (I’m big on crossing stuff off.) I managed to complete the majority of my goals for 2008 (eleven out of fourteen), which is a trend that I hope to continue. I’m not sure if that means that I didn’t set high enough goals, or if it’s just that I’ve become more focused and better at completing the goals I do set. Let’s hope it’s the latter.

Here is the update:

• Open a new IRA for 2008 (probably a Roth) – DONE
• Fully fund the new IRA – DONE
• Increase savings by $4000 in 2008 – DONE
• Purchase 1-4 tax liens – DONE
• Purchase at least one share of stock – DONE. (I kind of went crazy with this one, purchasing a LOT more than just one share.)
• Purchase at least $8000 worth of treasury bonds – Not done. I only bought an additional $1000 worth of treasury bonds this year, mainly due to indecisiveness, but also because they just aren’t earning what they were.
• Pay $35 extra per month toward mortgage, and send additional to savings each month – DONE
• Continue tracking & evaluating expenditures each month – essentially DONE. I have an entire year’s worth of tracking — or will as soon as the 1st rolls around, but I’m not waiting til then to update.
• Continue saving each month for vacations & irregular expenses – DONE, and boy did we have to use the irregular expenses fund.
• Continue paying for all bills and expenses in full and on time – DONE. I also set up our water bill to be auto-paid from our checking account, because I have a tendency to overlook that one.
• Reduce expenses to $1500 per month or less (excluding vacations.) – Not done. I’m still at $1634.20 in regular expenses now. I’ll probably be modifying this goal for next year, because I think I’m happy where I’m at.
• Increase income significantly – I’m not going to call this one done. I’ve increased my income by about 24%, but by “significantly” I really meant more than tripled. Guess I need to more clearly define the goal for next year.
• Continue matching contributions to my son’s college & car funds – DONE
• Increase my 401(k) contribution amount – DONE