Mustard Seed Money

Mustard Seed Money

My 2017 Goals- Final Recap

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

 

Since we have officially reached the last blogging day of the year for me, I thought now would be a great time to review the progress I made on my 2017 goals.  Looking back, I wonder about some of the goals that I set.  However since 2017 was the first year that I actually set definitive goals, I am pretty satisfied with my accomplishments.  I’m looking forward to setting new goals for 2018.  This next year, I am definitely going to stretch myself a bit more and see where that takes me.

 

Without further ado-– the results of my 2017 goals.  

 

FINANCIAL

  • GROW NET-WORTH (EXCLUDING MY HOME AND 529 PLANS) BY 25%.

PASS

For the year, our net-worth is up 29.7%.  I am ecstatic that our net-worth climbed above my goal.  When I created this goal, it felt like a stretch, especially since President Trump had just come into office.  I was sure that the market was going to tank.  Good thing I don’t time the market.  Otherwise, I would have egg all over my face.

 

The market is up 19.85% for the year.  At 22.23% with dividends, my net-worth outpaced the market.  I still have no idea how the market did so well with all the negative news.  I guess the stock market really liked the tax cuts that Congress passed.  While the Bull market may not last another year, who would have thought that we would be entering the 9th year of a Bull market in 2018?  Certainly not me.  

 

  • SAVE 70% OF TAKE-HOME PAY.  

FAIL

We saved 63% of our take-home pay for the year.  My wife and I did a great job in the 1st quarter, achieving 71%.  

 

However, in the 2nd quarter of the year, our savings dropped to 62%, due to our property tax bills and prepaying for a vacation.  

 

In the 3rd quarter, we were able to save 67%.  Although, if we didn’t have to replace our water heater, we would have been able to save 70% in that quarter.  Oh, the joys of home maintenance.  

 

During the 4th quarter, our savings rate dropped down to 52%.  Before you assume that we went crazy with Christmas presents, we actually went ahead and pre-paid our property taxes for 2018 to receive the tax benefit, since the tax bill caps property along with state and local taxes at $10,000.  While the law says that you can’t pre-pay for state and local income taxes, it was silent on property taxes.  Hopefully the IRS doesn’t disallow the deduction.

 

BLOG

  • INCREASE VIEWERSHIP.  

PASS

I passed 100,000 page views during the year and have had continued growth of the blog throughout the year.  Although, viewership has fluctuating at times, not unlike the behavior of the stock market at times.

 

On top of that, I was nominated as a Plutus finalist for the Best New Personal Finance Blog, which was incredibly cool.  I didn’t win, but to even be nominated was a huge honor.

 

  • MAKE ENOUGH MONEY THROUGH THE BLOG TO SUSTAIN THE COSTS ASSOCIATED.  

PASS

Over the last year, I’ve made over $3,000.  While some bloggers make $3,000 in a day, I am incredibly happy that I’ve turned a profit.  Each month when I make a little bit, I try to pour it back into the website.  As some of you have noticed, the site has been redesigned, as I recently spent some money trying to improve aesthetics.  Hopefully with the blog’s continued growth, it will continue to generate money.  If you have any tips on how you have increased revenue, feel free to share!

 

PERSONAL

  • WORK OUT 4X A WEEK AND WEIGH 175 POUNDS.

PASS

I’ve been attending a boot camp 3-4 times a week fairly consistently since December of 2016.  I can’t say that it has always been easy though.  There were many days when I felt too tired to go.  But I always tried to remind myself that sometimes just showing up is the hardest part.  

 

On the weight front, I am down to 175.  I thought I would be in much better shape at 175 though.  Unfortunately, my affinity towards sweets has been my downfall.  If only I derived as much pleasure from eating vegetables as I do cookies, I might be where I want to be.  Unfortunately, I’m not.  But, I guess that gives me some motivation for 2018.  

 

  • EAT HEALTHIER.

FAIL

My wife says that I’m doing better, but I’m not sure I believe her.  As I shared above, I really need to eat more leafy vegetables and more lean protein.  I love fried chicken way too much.  They just opened a Krispy Krunchy Chicken close by.  If you’ve never had it, you don’t know what you’re missing.

 

For 2018, I know that I am going to need to do a much better job if I want to reach my six-pack abs goal.

 

  • FIND A NEW JOB.  

PASS

In March, I started a new job.  I really love showing up to work now, and I really respect my boss.  It’s been a really great fit, and I’m hoping that it will eventually lead to an assignment overseas.  Whether that happens or not, I’m not sure.  But, I plan to have that be one of my 2018 goals.

   

  • GO SOMEWHERE MEMORABLE FOR OUR FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY.  

PASS

My wife had baby #2 a couple of days after we had our five year anniversary.  While I’m bummed that we didn’t get to go anywhere, I am incredibly thankful to have a happy, healthy baby boy.  That’s the best gift that we could have received.  Besides, what is more memorable than a hospital stay?

 

  • READ THE BIBLE AND PRAY WITH MY WIFE EVERYDAY.  

PASS AND FAIL

Since baby #2 has come along, we’ve done a really good job praying with our oldest son every night.  However, we pass out shortly after we get the boys to bed, often times before we get a chance to read or pray together.  I know that we need to do a better job in this area.  Hopefully in 2018, we will make some strides once we get some additional sleep.

 

PASS

I can’t say that I perfectly empathized with others in 2017, but I was much more cognizant of it and tried to exhibit empathy when opportunities arose.  While there is still room for me to grow in this area, I am happy with the progress that I made in 2017.  I look forward to my continued growth in 2018.

 

So readers, there you have it– the final recap of my 2017 goals.  How did you do with your 2017 goals?  Do you have any good ideas for 2018 goals?  Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  4. Great job overall. Quick (and dumb since I am a fellow blogger and should know) question: do you get page views for readers opening your email post? If not, I might consider changing to a teaser email format. There are times I don’t click to the post after reading full text in the email. I assume others are like me. If you tell me you don’t, I’ll switch to clicking through to the blog. Alternatively, you could do the teaser I mentioned. Good luck in 2018!

    Reply

  11. Congrats on the accomplishments in 2017 and best of luck with 2018. I look forward to reading about your continued progress. Your site stats were impressive, too. Nice work!

    Reply

  15. Yay for some great successes! I love the new site design, super professional and easily navigated!

    I have similar health goals for the new year; sweets are my main weakness as well. I need to get a knee fixed up so I can run and work out again, though.

    Enjoy your little ones as 2018 kicks off!
    Mrs. COD recently posted…Mrs. COD’s Freelance UpdateMy Profile

    Reply

  16. Hi MSM,

    Happy 2018!

    The growth in your networth is truly fantastic – shows the difference not having to pay a mortgage can make to your wealth! Overall looks like a really solid year – if you hit every goal then that just means you made them too easy 😉
    Cheers,
    FiL

    Reply

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