2011 The Year in Review

As another year draws to a close, it is the opportunity to look back on the progress of the yearly goals, and to look forwards to what is on the list for achievements for the next year.



Business and Career goals were dominated with an industry council representation.  All of the sessions were interstate with parental juggling responsibilities somehow managed.  This also provided the opportunity to meet the goal of getting published.



Financial goals were interesting this year due to the new job.  The prior tax write off opportunity of vehicle costs did not transfer to the new organisation, so I set about reducing a four year personal loan into one.  This then eliminated all non mortgage debt, and ticked of Step 2 on the road to financial independence. 

• Step 3 is to have a 6 month emergency account, and this is on track for completion next year.
• Step 4 is to max all super contributions, of which I have been working to a super savings plan for around 10 years, and ahead on plan.
• Step 5 is to set up a education fund for your children, already done at birth and regular contributions made each month.
• Step 6 is to pay off the mortgage.
• Step 7 invest like crazy.
• Step 8 is achieve financial independence.

With interest rates dropping Step 6 and 7 will be the focus for next year.  This year I managed to shave 3 years off my financial independence goal, and very thankful that I had read 'The Millionaire Next Door' and not leased the vehicle.



Family goals were centred around the transition into big school, along with an academic improvement program.  We managed to ace the year with good grades, and Japanese the only B level grade.  Family dinners continued on Sunday nights, with many culinary dishes served up.  We didn't manage to achieve our weekend trips away goal, but we did exceed our Kid Sessions goals.  And of course we had an amazing time at Vanuatu.



Health and Fitness remained a source of annoyance again this year.  Despite a good year of zero surgery the energy levels remained low, and I only manage to achieve 2/3 of the fitness sessions planned.  Fitness remains a cornerstone to my life, and will continue into 2012.



Lifestyle and Personal Enjoyment goals 4/5 with a replacement stainless steel fridge, construction of the new Chicken Taj Mahal and replacement chickens after the dog incident.  We also replaced our dining table and built an awesome fort.  Thanks to the suicidal gecko we also had to replace the air conditioner in the living area.  The last goal was to have a retaining wall constructed behind the pool.  Getting a tradie to quote after the floods earlier this year was almost impossible, and we are still nagging the last tradie to come visit.



All social event goals completed, visioning collage for the year done.  Movies completed, went to an international soccer match and the international tennis.  Watched Katie Perry and had 4th row seats to Enrique.  Cultural events consisted of a Flood Victim Lunch and a trip to Cirque Du Soleil.

Landscaping went along with the fitness goals, and I seem to have a stack of unfinished projects underway.  So that's what we are doing over the holidays, a few more kid sessions close to home and a stack of jobs around the house.  The vegie patch is semi moved, so yesterday we set our new seedlings in preparation for me actually finishing the construction of the new one in the next couple of weeks.



Contributing to the community and others the gratitude journal continued daily throughout the year, and we spent time getting rid of our 100 things.  We have also made a head start on the 2012 list with 34% completed all ready.  Along with the eco friendly air conditioner, we also replaced our outside lights with eco friendly options.  We reduced our commercial consumption of food continuing our $100 grocery challenge, and managed to come in at $83 per week again this year.  We also managed to complete our 12 random instances of kindness.



Personal growth and development was a tad behind so I will have to try harder in this area in 2012.  Adventure goals, well we went to our first drive in movie, got published and I watched my first soccer match.  Phew 2011 was a busy year!