Your 2012 financial goals

[NetSkyBlue]

Make yourself accountable - Post your 2012 financial goals/resolutions here!

Mine:

1) Have between 17-22k in the bank by Jan 1, 2013 (the higher number depending on whether or not my third job wants to keep me once they find out I want to stay part-time rather than quit my day job and go to work full-time for them) <--this is a biggie for someone used to living paycheck to paycheck.

2) Categorize what I'm currently calling "grocery" in Quicken, so I know what I'm really spending on edibles vs everything else (cat food, shampoo, cleaner, etc).

3) Spend less than last year on all variable expenses (gas, food, entertainment, etc).

[GREENBACK]

At this point (subject to re-evaluation) I intend to do things exactly as I did them in 2011. I have no need to tweak anything at this point.

[JustBill]

Same as the last 29 years. Have my DW stop spending so much money on useless stuff.

[elessar78]

1.) Rebuild emergency fund. At least 10,000 by Dec 31,2012
2.) Bring lunch to work more often which would save a lot of money!

[bennyhoff]

1) Open a non-IRA brokerage account (was done on 1/3 )
2) Invest $10,000 in item #1 this year. (Or at least get value to that point by year end) Currently at $375.
3) Have dividends in item #2 be producing at a minimum rate of $350 / year at year end.
4) Fully fund 457 & Roth IRA accounts (almost done for last year - I still need to put in $2,500 for 2011)
5) Continue to make money by decluttering (selling) and by strategic yard sale buys. I estimate last year I made $500 combined. I hope I can match that this year.

[toysmall]

I want to go to earn a sum of money to travel, before the New Year I can pay off the money I borrowed before, to find a girlfriend, ha ha

[bjl584]

I plan on keeping doing what I have been doing. Save and invest each and every month while continuing to pay down my student loans.

[kork13]

The biggest change for me is that I'm moving back to the states this summer, though I don't know where yet. That answer may change things for me, but we'll see. But at the moment, I don't think I really have much in the way of financial goals besides holding the course -- I met most of my major financial goals (for the present) in 2011...

I finished saving enough for a home DP (if I choose to buy), I'm on track to have enough saved by this summer to buy a new car (in cash), my EF and Roth are fully funded, my TSP deposits are as high as I'm going to put them right now, and in general, I'm saving ALOT (over 40% of my pre-tax income).

So I think I'll just proceed, and see what happens this year....

[disneysteve]

I didn't reply initially because I didn't really have an answer to the question. Now I see that a few others have basically said the same thing: keep doing what we've been doing. I don't have any particular goals. Yes, I want to put 10K in the Roths, but we do that every year. Otherwise, just continue to save and invest, keep a handle on the spending and keep plugging away at work.

[rennigade]

keep signing up for credit cards that have nice offers attached. my skymiles have shrunk to 4 round trip flights, so im looking to get in on another deal to bump up my free flights by at least 2. also hoping to find more offers for free gift cards. scored $1675 in gift cards in 2011 for only $69(annual fee for 1 of the 3 cards.) keep spending other peoples money!! it never gets old.

as for investments, fully fund both the roth and 401k. would also like to put 5-10k in some different mutual funds.

[Cassius King]

I will have my student loan paid off this year.

Then I will increase my emergency fund and shore up some sinking funds.

[PetMom]

Keeping up with how we have been doing but with the
newer high prices.

Gasoline (will go higher), high price of cotton (cost of clothes), food prices are ridiculous, insurance costs (plus we were Fema-ed into a higher flood zone which means
higher home ins.), even tp cost has gotten ridiculous.

Just maintaining the status quo. Keep that ER at same level and a good cushion in bank.

Would love to get into some low key investing just for the fun of it and would make watching CNBC a lot more interesting.

Also, want to stop being the Bank of Loans and be cautious which groups I donate my money to - maybe donating more usable goods as opposed to money this year.

I also want to remember (getting close to tax time) that our taxes pay for helping a lot of programs that help people (which is great) but need to realize that by paying taxes we are helping out.

[moneybags]

Keep saving, even while paying for DDs first year of college

[sandrark]

- Max out my 403(b). (Doing)

- Max out both Roth IRAs. (Doing).

- Set up SEP-IRA for DH's business, and get company to contribute additional 8% of his gross salary.

- Set up car repair sinking fund. (Done, and doing).

- Set up taxes and insurance sinking fund, and xfer money each month, just like we still had an escrow account for the house. (Done, and doing).

- Set up 459 accounts for my brother's kids. Contribute $500 a month to them (total of $6K for all for the year).

- Continue to pre-pay additional 10% of the P&I payment against mortgage principal.

- Pay cash for house items (new couch, replace front steps, fridge and dishwasher).

Sandi

[97guns]

i'd like to see my net worth keep pace with the past 2 years and increase by 100K

[rj.phila]

keep on keepin on.

buy another house.

get over my reticence to buy some index funds.

explore alternatives- like microloans-as far as investments go.

[kork13]

Originally Posted by rj.phila

explore alternatives- like microloans-as far as investments go.

I like that one. I've considered doing that for a while, but my life has never been stable enough to get into it... I've been moving every year or two for the last 5 years, and moving overseas, I totally lost the opportunity (lending and investing laws prevent me from doing alot of stuff while I have a foreign address). I think once I move back to the states this summer (where I should finally stay in place for at least 3-4 years), I may look into starting small into micro-loans, and also do research into other various investment options.

[flippinterp]

My goals for 2012 are similar to previous years.

1) Save 15% of pre-tax income (to put in savings or IRA). Since my income is slightly variable, a percentage works better for me than a set amount.

2) Finish building 8 month EF. This one continues from previous years, but right now I've got about 5.5 months in case of emergencies.

3) Max out Roth IRA.

My one goal that's completely new is to get through my wedding without taking on debt. I'm not sure if my fiancee is on board with this one yet, but we have already made some cost-conscious decisions about the catering and reception site.

I realize that I probably won't be able to accomplish ALL of these goals, but I'll come out ahead just by trying for them.

[ecoadapt]

2.) Bring lunch to work more often which would save a lot of money!

I intend to make this step too! I find it more expensive buying food or delivering food in the office! My main goal this year is to save and save!

[Fizgig]

Most of it is "Keep on keepin on" type of stuff.

1. Keep investing ~30% of gross for retirement. (403(b), Roth, employer match)
2. Maintain one year EF.
3. Start saving for a replacement car. (Current car is 4 years old, goal is to save $30k in 6 years, or $400/mo. Opened the account a few days ago.)
4. Save 10% of net in a "fun money" account for splurges and vacations.
5. Accelerate payments on my rental property. (I rent cheaply in the HCOL area where I live, and have a cash flow positive rental in Houston, TX. It's my only debt.)