HAPPY NEW YEAR PEEPS!
Here are my goals for 2018. See my past January goals posts here:
2013 Goals | 2014 Goals | 2015 Goals | 2016 Goals | 2017 Goals
DOUBLE DEBT SINGLE WOMAN GOALS FOR 2018
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ONE. Pay down my student loan debt from $60,300 to $39,900 or less.
I want to end 2018 in the 30’s! This should be achievable in theory, given that my minimum payments (including interest) should get me to the lower 40’s by December. However, my extra payments this year will be substantially smaller than they were last year, so this meeting goal will take effort.
TWO. Increase my Net Worth to $100,000+
In my age group (40-44), most Americans have had time to accumulate some wealth. I’ve had the time, but don’t have the wealth. When I started this blog I had a net worth of over -$142k. This put me, for my age group in the U.S., in the bottom 1% according to this data. With a current net worth of $50k, I am now in the 46th percentile. I plan and hope to end 2018 with a net worth of over $100k, which will put me in at least the 59th percentile. As you can see, I have a long way to go in the coming years to get to where I need to be. Mosey on over to FourPillarFreedom (Thanks, Zach!) to see what this interactive visualization looks like for your age group.
THREE. Max out my 401k, Roth IRA and HSA
Given my age and repeated flirtation with career burnout, maxing out all appropriate tax-advantaged savings vehicles now is mandatory. Putting money aside every pay period to max my Roth will cut into the extra money I can put towards my loans. I’m prioritizing saving money in these accounts because they are ‘Use it or lose it’ every year. Any money leftover from maxing these accounts will go toward my student loan extra payments.
FOUR. End 2018 with no credit card debt
This credit card debt has been dogging me ever since I paid it off the first time…and the second time. I want to end 2018 with no credit card debt.
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That’s it for this year.
I have no non-financial goals this year. I think we all know why…
I have an international trip planned for this year that I’m totally living for right now. Woot!
2017 had plenty ups and more than it’s share of downs for many of us. Here’s to 2018 being a year of power!
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“Debtor’s prison is real, and opportunity cost is a bitch.” (DDSW Archives)
Double Debt Single Woman 
Awesome financial goals! Seeing how well you have done so far in your journey, I’m sure you will be able to meet your 2018 goals. Good luck, and don’t let debt fatigue get you down. You are on your way.
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Thanks. I keep in mind that I only have ~2.5 years or so to go. Sometimes that helps; other times it feels like an eternity. I’m definitely going to keep going.
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This post is very refreshing as I revise my money game plan for this year. Great work!!!
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Thanks! Post your money game plan 🙂
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These are great goals!! Best of luck in 2018. I plan to focus a lot on increasing my retirement savings this year.
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Yeah, I’m so far behind for my age. If I want to ever retire, my investments need to increase by a lot.
I’m glad to hear that you’ll be beefing up your retirement funds. You won’t regret a penny of it when you’re older.
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Wow your goal looks awesome. Just gliding past the 50s and then the 40s to reach 30s will be incredible! Sounds so exciting! I think in the 40s age bracket we go back and forth on the options of investing and paying down debt. I swear, one day I am all in on the one. The next day I am all in on the other. But I see we do not get that time back.
I am excited you will be going on a trip too. You so deserve it!
I hope to contribute to the match at my job then max out Roth which I just opened last month. Hopefully then I can tackle more of the mortgage. I will be starting in the 70s. If I can reach very low 50s that will be great. If I eat only beans and cornbread maybe I can reach high 40s! : )
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Yes! I go back and forth about investing vs paying down debt multiple times each day. lol
Good! Getting that employer match (if one is available) is mandatory these days.
Hmm. I’ve never heard of ‘beans and cornbread’, but won’t contest it because everyone knows that cornbread>rice. 🙂
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You can do it! I love how big the goals are while still feeling attainable.
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Yeah, trying to strike a balance between being possible and ambitious.
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Both important factors!
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I should start eating beans and cornbread. That sounds fabulous.
Your progress is inspiring! I look forward to continuing to watch your debt go down and your net worth go up.
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Lol, it’s a Southern staple!
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So am I! Ha! Thanks. 🙂
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