I know this is a little late, but I finally had time to sit down and think. I wanted my goals this year to be important to me. Weight loss, health, and money are great, but I really wanted to think of my core values. With that in mind, here are my goals for 2012:
1) Take at least 2 solid vacations with Mr. BFS with as little work as possible.
Our current plan is to go to Las Vegas again this summer and to take another 7 day cruise sometime this year as well. Now that we both work as needed to keep the online business running as smoothly as possible, I figure we will need some time to just connect as a couple and not as coworkers. The cruise will be internet-free and Las Vegas will be internet-minimal. 
2) Take at least one solid trip with our inner circle of friends.
A few of our close friends would like to take a trip together. I agree it would be a blast. Now we all have to make it happen. I don’t care where we go or what we do as long as we all get to hang out together. I would aim for more than one trip, but it is hard to coordinate a group trip so I will see what I can get out of them all. 
3) Visit blogging buddies at least 3 times in 2012.
I already visited Suba in L.A. and had a blast. I owe Jesse (co-owner of some of my other blogs) a visit and will need to go back to Suba’s so we can hang with Kay Lynn from Bucksome Boomer way more. I am sure more buddies and opportunities will present themselves, but at least 3 visits a year to my closest friends online should be doable.
4) Stay healthy – Exercise 150 times.
I want to stay healthy for as long as possible. With that in mind, I am aiming to exercise at least 3 times every week. I know I will not hit that goal every time, so my overall annual goal is to be able to honestly say that I exercised 150 times or more in 2012. Racquetball, walking, dancing, etc. Solid exercise at least 150 times this year.
Hopefully this will also lead me to weighing 135-140 pounds by the end of the year (currently at 154), but that is secondary to me at this point. It would just be the icing on the cake.
I will attempt to check in with you about these 2012 goals in April, July, October, and at the very end of the year or the beginning of 2013.
What core goal(s) do you have for 2012? Not just the normal resolutions…what’s important to you to actually achieve this year?
I confess: I love setting New Year’s Resolutions.
This year, I’m paying off $25,000 in credit card debt and running my 10th half marathon. (I’m secretly hoping to pay off all of the debt before December so my family and I can take a short trip here in Australia too.)
The cruise sounds wonderful, by the way!
I love the traveling goals that you have. I can’t wait to leave my day job and have more than 10 days off each year.
I’m absolutely in favor of those traveling goals – I’d love to travel all over the country and attend science fiction and fantasy conventions, just to get a taste of what’s going on around my personal world. As far as other goals, we’re intending on stepping up the income from projects that aren’t dependent on others – even though I love clients, I still love the idea of passive income from my endeavors.
My goal in 2012 is to live on less than half of my take home pay like I managed to do in 2011. That will require me to maintain a tight budget, control my spending and continue to work on increasing my income. I hope to be able to save and pay cash for a house within 4 years (closer to 3 if I’m lucky). The sooner the better so I have to keep pushing and pushing and pushing. This year is going to be a great year!
I also have the goal of two solid vacations this year, and to focus on the growth of my blog. My goal is $1500 per month in income by the end of 2012. Here’s to hoping it happens!
Hope you complete your goals!
I have two goals for 2012. One is to run (well, actually run/walk) at least one 5K a month. The second is to create a blog that brings in as much income as I would working part time. I started a blog this month and am excited about the possibilities! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom on this blog and your others. You’ve been a wealth of knowledge!
http://www.craftrunwag.blogspot.com
@craftrunwag
Goal #1 has been accomplished (thanks to your help Crystal!), creating a personal finance blog
I like that you put a number to the amount of workouts you want to do. That is such a better idea than just saying “I want to work out 3 times a week” and then only working out 1, then forgetting about the missed days.”
They all sound like doable goals. I think the workout one is going to be a challenge though. As long as you don’t let your busy schedule change your day you will be fine.
My goal for my 25th year (not 2012 but part of it) is to travel more. So far I’m doing pretty well. Good luck with your goals too!
You’re proof that we don’t have to set our goals (or at least publish them) by January 1st. You can make them (and stick to them) anytime.
P.S. You’re always welcome to come and hang out here in San Diego.
I live in Vegas, so I have to ask: WHY do you want to come hereIN THE SUMMER?
It’s usually 116º outside, cooling to 105º at 2 am.
These are great goals Crystal! You’ve made them specific, but achievable. I plan to contribute at least 2 more guest posts to BFS
, and lose 10-20 more pounds (down 1 so far!).
I think my wife would love the two solid vacations. Actually this year I promised that I would do at least for vacation/trips.
Other than that the only real “new” New Years resolution is to do a better job of commenting of other peoples sites and growing my online empire.
@Earn Save Live, wow – good luck on both goals!!! $25k in debt payoff would be awesome!
@Corey, I figure that one week away from the internet completely each year will be nice (cruise) – other than that, I never completely disconnect or too much builds up too fast.
@Emily, passive income would be nice…
@Kraig, good luck!!! Yay for a house in cash!
@MoneyforCollegePro, good luck!
@Michelle, thanks!
@Tya, thanks for tuning in!
@PFM, yay, one down.
@Kris, thanks. I did that mainly so I can catch up after procrastinating, lol.
@Jai, too late…my schedule is already eating up most of my time, BUT I am putting the workouts higher in priority just so I can accomplish 150 this year…
@Jenna, have fun!
@Kay Lynn, I’ll get there to San Diego this year!
@The Prudent Homemaker, we’ve been to Las Vegas 4 times so far and it’s always during July or August. We like that it is way less crowded and we stay inside most of the time anyway.
@Ellen, love that first goal!
Good luck on the weight loss!
@Thomas, make your wife happy.
And I need to start commenting more too…
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