When I was at university I started to make goals every quarter. I typed them up and printed them, so I could see them. Life has changed. It’s more hectic with family. I kept at the practice and even learned to make better goals.
These are know as SMART goals (S-specific, M- measurable, A- attainable, R- relevant, T- timely). Consider using this framework.
This is a dynamic page. It will change. I will add and cross off, new and completed Traveling Wallet goals.
The Perpetual Goal is that our family is working toward FIRE. Financial Independence, Early Retirement by age 40.
Current Year Goals
Below you can find my 2023 goals that overlap and target one or more of the following areas. Business, Speaking, Lifestyle, Financial and Relationships. I tend to be overzealous with goals We’ll see how I do. What are your goals this year?
2023 (14 Goals)
- Spring Break to Tennessee ( Travel, Relationships)
- 9 day trip (Lifestyle, Travel, Relationships)
- 1 local in-state trip (1-2 days)
- Max out 401K ( Financial)
- 4-10 speaking gigs paid
- Finish Shotcut course
- Finish Master Youtube course
- New speakers reel
- Yoga Headstand ( Health , Lifestyle)
- 8hrs of sleep a night
- 30 day minimalism challenge
- Complete 8 Duolingo lessons in Italian (Language, Lifestyle)
- read 1 book in Italian
- 1/wk Chinese practice
Previous Yearly Goals
2022 (5 Goals)
- 6 week Mini-Retirement (Lifestyle, Travel, Relationships)
- 3 weeks in Cali
- 1 week somewhere new
- Explore renting out our place
- Complete Unit 2 & 3 on Duolingo (Language, Lifestyle)
- Finish Integrated Chinese book (335 pgs)
- Create exercise sheets to sell on Etsy (Financial, Creative)
- Post video 1/week on Youtube
- Do a yoga headstand (Health)
- Get engineering job in July/ Aug (Career, Financial)
- Traveling Wallet website redesign (Business)
2021 (16 Goals )
- Complete 9 Toastmasters projects ( Finish Coaching Pathways) ( Speaking)
- Create and Give 2 webinars (Money & Minimalism convert to course) (Speaking)
- Appear on 12 podcasts ( Speaking)
- Pitch 100 schools & 100 libraries ( Speaking, Financial)
- Do all SPI pro monthly challenges ( Business)
- $10K of side income ( Business, Financial)
- Launch YouTube Channel ( Money, Minimalism, Toastmasters) (Speaking, Business)
- Read (1 parenting book & 1 couples book) ( Relationships, Lifestyle)
- Practice Ukulele Tues& Thurs ( Lifestyle)
- Floss Daily ( Lifestyle)
- Exercise 10min/day (S.A.V.E.R.S) ( Lifestyle)
- 30 day Minimalism Challenge ( Find home for everything) ( Lifestyle)
- Stay at Cabin for 1-3 weeks ( Lifestyle, Relationships)
- Attend EconoMe Conference ( Relationships, Business)
- 10 new hikes ( Lifestyle, Relationships)
- Get inbox to 500 or less 😂 ( Business)
2020 (11 Goals )
- Job 3-4 hr. /day ( preferably 12-4pm)
- Fun PT job.
Zumba Certification - Improve blog, Learn more about profitable blogging
- Continue sharpening my public speaking, send pitches
- Buy house June – August
- Adulting _dentist & optometrist
Pay to consult a nutritionistPay for a workout coachAttend World Domination Summit- Clean out Laptop
- Outline and record capsule wardrobe course
Read the Goals Review 2020 slogan: Results may vary, 2020 goals & year review
2019 (17 Goals)
Career
- Find Job work 3-4 hrs/day from 12-4pm ( pays more than $10/hr)
- Find 10 Speaking gigs
- Appear on 12 podcasts
- Record my own podcast/ youtube
- Re-launch blog with email list ( new design , new pillars) (earn $$)
Financial
- Earn 5K from passion projects
- Max out 401K and
cancellower IRAs - Save 40 K for a house
- Buy House June- Dec
Relationships
- Read 3 parenting books
- Email 3 people on email day
- Practice gratitude personally every morning
Lifestyle
- Visit Dentist and optometrist (✓) (Adulting!)
- Pay to consult with a nutritionist
- Pay for a work out coach ( butt and belly goals)
- 3 week Michigan road trip
- Yoga everyday that ends with Y
Read the 2019 goals review here for more details.
2018 ( 11 Goals) (2018 goal review)
Career
- Get a fulfilling job by September (Part-time? For family flexibility)(✓)
- Re-launch blog with email list ( new design, new pillars) (earn income)
Relationships
- Read more parenting books
- Practice gratitude with kids at night(✓)
- Practice gratitude personally in the morning
Financial
- Max out 401K and IRAs (29K-47 K)(✓)
- Have 40K for House
Lifestyle
- Have yearly check up (OBGYN ) (✓)
- Pay to consult with a nutritionist
- Pay for a work out coach ( butt and belly goals)
- Go camping at least 4 days (travel) (✓)
2017 (1 goal)
Take a 4 month long Mini Retirement starting Oct 1st (Complete)
Including:
- 3 week cross country road trip
- 1 month in Ecuador
- 1 month in El Salvador
- Move to Michigan from California
2016 Goals
This year I am doing something different. I am going to focus monthly on one goal.
- Save 40% of earnings
- Travel to 1 new place 4+ days
- Earn $1000 in writing
- Read 1 parenting post / day
- 700 words/day for 1 month
- Write 4 guest posts
2015 Goals
Financial, Blog, Work
- Earn side hustle $500( Complete)
- Save 30K for house($2500/month) ( Failed)
- Max out 401K 18K/person ( Complete & 95%)
- Attend Fincon ( Complete)
- Add AdSense (Complete),
have blog pay for itself Hunt for new job, interview 3 times(Cancelled)- Get pay increase of 5%+ (Complete)
Relationships, Travel
- 1 date/month with Mr. Roamer ( Complete)
- 1 play date/ month with each kid individually (Failed)
- 1 family trip 5+ days (Complete)
Looking for some more info to track progress check out my status posts
2014 Goals
The Roamer Goals at the Traveling Wallet 2014 Original
- Pay off student loans by July (COMPLETED in APRIL)
- Open Barclay account (Completed in March)
- Go on one date a month with spouse (Complete in Dec)
- Run one 5 k race (Jan-June)Completed, one 5k race (Jul- Dec)Fail
- 1 trip 5 days+ (completed July 2014)
After starting to read MMM I realized I could accomplish more this year financially so I have added these goals as well.
- Pay off both cars (Completed July 2014)
- Save 50% of income
- Open peer to peer lending account (Fail)
- Increase 401k to 20% of family income. (Completed July 2014)
- Earn Side hustle $ 250
To get more details on all these goals check out my end of year summaries for 2014.
I love seeing your goals written and checked off as it is such a great idea to see where you are going and then to see your accomplishments regularly. It’s so motivating.
Yes Deb ,
It is a great snapshot to keep you heading in the right direction when things get chaotic.
It’s also a great reminder of things you have accomplished. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is the future we want. It’s built by taking purposeful action, and all the wins and grows start to pile up.
Just discovered you via Forbes when searching for FIRE community. Loved reading all about you and your goals over the years. I’ve been on my own FI path in recent years with little community support or knowledge of who’s out there doing what. So it’s refreshing to come across yours. Your story is encouraging and down to earth. Thank you!
Hey Sam
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, community is super helpful on this journey. If you see this definitely check out a conference to meet people face to face. I have attended the ECONOME conference and FinCON. We are still on our journey and seeing movement forward every year. We are being successful at living it. I am just not so constant about writing about it, but I am working on it again this year.