Goals for 2017

[Jluke]

I've already been planning for 2017... pretty much the same old now at this point.

Max 401k: Jan to Dec to ensure employer match (no true-up). Start out at 25% and then cut back around August to level off on the way to 18k. And bring in more net income later in the year at the lower contribution amount.

Max Roth in January - $5500 and invest right away in existing funds.

Maintain EF in cash at 30k.

Invest in my taxable account - I did not do this in 2016, but still time.

Add $1,000 in my kid's investment account

Vacation for a few days.

Update laundry appliances - approaching 11 years.

New car battery (2 vehicles), perhaps new tires (1 vehicle).

what are your goals?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Buy a house - pray this happens
stay employed - DH who knows right?
find a new career - LAL

[Goldy]

We plan on maxing the 401k, Roth, hsa, and contributing to taxable but my real goal is to cut spending that has gotten a little out of hand with a new house. I'm also hoping my 2002 car makes it a few more years.

I'd like to get our spending below 50-60k for the year.

[HundredK]

My only goal is to continue digging out of this hole. I think this is a great thread though and look forward to seeing everyone answer.

[sv2007]

I don't think I've set any financial goals for the last 10+ years. It is just natural to max out on the 401k/IRA/ESPP that it isn't really a goal that I set. We run projections on our finances out to 10+ years, but there's no specific goals any more. I think the crossover was when our investments generated more income than our jobs.

[sv2007]

You probably already know, but just as an FYI..

Everybody who's set goals should also have set steps to accomplish said goals. Steps to measure the progress; small enough steps to check off regularly.

[rennigade]

Goals for 2017....move to the house we purchased in another state. Find job in that state. Remodel bathrooms and bedrooms in new house. Maybe make a baby sometime in 2017. Thats about it....the plate is pretty full.

[MonkeyMama]

Our goal is to invest $30k and to increase net worth by $50k.

Retirement is *the* goal; on our final stretch for early retirement.

[scfr]

2017 and perhaps the next few years will be a period of uncertainty because DH's father is seriously ill, and my mother is starting to show some signs of decline. None of this is premature. It's just the age we are at. None of our parents are in financially great shape, and we've already provided a little assistance and expect to provide more. Neither of our parents live near us so some extra travel may be necessary.

We will continue to contribute as much as we are allowed to our tax-deferred savings (IRAs and 401Ks).

But as far as net worth, I will be happy to see a flat year in 2017. We're pretty far ahead of schedule as far as retirement savings go and depending on how things go with the parents this may be the year to be content to just tread water.

As far as career, I will apply for a full-time position at my part-time job if one opens up. (I have 2 jobs right now, one regular part-time and one irregular contract-based.)

The budget category I want to work on is grocery spending. I already have a plan in mind and need to discuss it with DH. He has been warned that a "grocery budget talk" is in the works . . . lol.

Irregular spending related:

• Purchase new vehicle only if 1999 ride "dies."
• Possibly replace carpet in main living area with tile (may delay until 2018).
• Have a fantastic time on my solo 2017 vacation, at or under $225 budget.
• "Let it go" as needed and spend for last-minute travel related to parental issues.

[cashisking500]

Great thread idea. As for my financial goals, I would say the following....

- Pay off one of our cars (12k to go)

- Reach and maintain 20k emergency fund (we are almost there now...currently at 17k)

- Max out Roth IRA (currently putting $300/mo in)

[disneysteve]

No big "goals" per se. As sv2007 said, some stuff is just part of the daily routine - Roths, 401k, etc.

The new thing in 2016 was a Parent PLUS loan. My plan is to pay $1,000/month on that. I've already made the first 2 payments in September and October. At 1K/month, it will be repaid in November 2017. Not too shabby if we can repay 15K in 15 months. I'm okay with that.

The other piece of that is that we will need additional funds for next school year. That will probably involve one more loan but we may be able to borrow less than 15K if the money from the urgent care job keeps coming in pretty steadily.

[97guns]

Making plans to build a house in Thailand, we can get a custom 1800sq. ft. House built for $60-70K

[frugal saver]

My original goal for 2017 was to start replacing the electric in my house. But early in 2016 I signed up for the electric program through my utility provider and for an extra $5 a month on my bill they're picking up most of the cost of the repairs. So the thousands I was expecting is turning out to be $100 or so a month as I fix stuff piece by piece.

So for right now, my 2017 goals are:

* Put as much as possible every month (at least $1000) into savings for home repairs/car replacement
* Pay an extra amount every month to get Visa paid off.
* Set monthly earning goals for eBay (or wherever). Totally lazy and too many hobbies to get serious about it, though.

As it gets closer, I'll be setting small goals that I can track to help me stay focused.

[msomnipotent]

I have goals every year, but something seems to happen or "someone" decides that he doesn't agree with the goals but won't say anything, and just does what he wants anyway. I have decided to set very realistic monthly goals so I can adjust if I need to and not have to tear my hair out.

First, I plan to go through all of our medical bills and have a realistic amount taken out for our FSA. We blew through the amount my husband decided on in the first 3 months last year. I'm pretty sure we will have to figure this out by the end of this month.

I would also like to hire a tax advisor and perhaps contribute to my IRA if we are able to.

Those are all I'm willing to set my mind to right now. I have to figure out how much we can contribute to the emergency fund and the college savings later.

[corn18]

2017 is a steady as she goes year. Continue saving 40% of net income. This allows me the option to retire or semi-retire in 5 years.

Could be some big changes at work. I have been looking at a path to increasing my income significantly and that may happen next year. Taking the risk by moving out of my safe job to a high risk job in 2015 is paying off. Has opened up significant opportunities to take on additional responsibility with more pay. Big risk that I took, but well played on my part.