I'm not a 'fly by the seat of your pants' person. I like order and structure. I don't like surprises, I like a plan. It's a shame that it took me over twenty years to realise this.
I spent my late teens and all of my twenties reacting to the things around me, instead of thinking about what I really wanted in life. This is not unusual, I think that's what a lot of people do. For most of my thirties I just did what I could to raise my children. Move to 2005 and the year that I turned 40. This was the year that I realised I needed a plan. This was the year that I finally decided to get debt free. This was the major turning point in all that follows.
The Grand Plan
2009:
-Become debt free
-Save one year of joint living expenses (a freedom fund)
-Lose 50lbs
-Buy no new clothes
-Start a herb garden
-Make work doable - change my area/department infrastructure
2010:
-Save travel fund
-Complete house renovation (£2k)
2011:
-Learn Portuguese
-Take a cookery courses
-Experience/meet B&B owners
2012:
-Sell house
-Buy/rent in Portugal
-Go on our big trip
-Quit jobs in UK
2013:
Running a B&B in Portugal
Ongoing throughout:
Reducing/Simplifying needs
Working on house
Pension contributions
Overpaying mortgage
Streamlining
Dh Language lessons
Some of these things, like starting a herb garden, are just little things that move me towards a greener lifestyle.
Now you tell me, do you have a Grand Plan for your life?
Get updates by email or RSS feed here
I had a grand plan. I've always had a grand plan. It consisted of things like "Graduate from high school!" "Get into a good college!" "Graduate from college!" "Get a great job!" "Buy real estate!"
ReplyDeleteNow I don't have a Grand Plan. I have plans. But they don't really matter - they are totally flexible. Keep job? Get CFP? Buy more real estate? Travel the globe? Save more money? Buy more stuff?
My next 5 years are pretty fuzzy when I look ahead. Anything could happen. I always thought I'd be getting engaged, planning a wedding, getting married, maybe even having kids over the course of my next 5 years. But so far, I'm not. So I guess I'll just continue to try to achieve in my career, invest more, buy more...it's all pretty pointless though, in a way.
Hi there-I don't have a grand plan as such, but your post is very motivational and inspiring and gives food for thought!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so sensible and realistic which is how goals should be! I have no doubt that you will get there! I'm so pleased for you!
ReplyDeleteYours is a wonderful Grand Plan!
ReplyDeleteI have tried to discuss ideas for the future with my husband but he isn't much of a planner. More of a day to day type of person.
I am a planner. I like to make plans because they make me feel safe and secure - like I have an idea of what my future will look like.
Our immediate plans are to pay off our last debt and save a 6 month emergency fund.
A lot of my plans revolve around my children right now. Pay for their college and their weddings.
For myself, I would like to pay of our current house and live here forever. Travel and vacation - yes, but this is where I want to call home.
I also aspire to simplifying my life, reducing the stuff in my life so I can focus on the people and expereinces in my life.
Thanks for an inspiring post!
wow - that sounds fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit though - I am a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl ;) lol Just until I get my debt down to where it is in my near future to have it all paid off, you know?
Thank you all for commenting. I think there's a natural progression when your kids finally start to grow up and then start leaving home...it's almost like..right what shall I do then?
ReplyDeleteThank you all for commenting. I think there's a natural progression when your kids finally start to grow up and then start leaving home...it's almost like..right what shall I do then?
ReplyDelete