Reflecting on 2014 Aspirations

Well a year has passed since I created this list....a year ago when I was wide eyed with anticipation, hope and promise. A year where there was the possibility of everything going smoothly :-)

 

Here are my thoughts on 2014's goals.

 

2014 Aspirations - Planned Savings

 

1) TFSA - $2000. This was a success. This was the first time I had moved my goal from $1000 to $2000. I was a bit worried I was setting myself up for failure, but it was one of the first goals I tackled, and I was full of motivation and purpose.  My TFSA is sitting at $5100ish. The $100 being the sad tiny amount of interest that has accumulated over the years. 

 

2) RRSP - $2000. This was not a success. The expenses from over the year slowed this down considerably. Something had to give and it looks like this was what ...gave.  I managed to get to the bank just this week and put down $1200 in my RRSP. So not only did I not make my goal for 2014, I also put in less than I have the last two years.

 

3) RESP - $2400. Based on my numbers from Dec 1 to Dec 1.... I went from $15 800 to        $20 400. I put in $200 a month...hence my $2400 goal amount. This is a total difference of $4 600. So.....success.

 

 3) DS2's Trip - $2000. Success. I actually put in just over $2700 and paid off the last bit of the trip a couple weeks ago. I am so happy I can give DS2 his trip.

 

4) Summer 2014 - $1000. Success. I know I used a chunk of the money for our camping trip and the rest went towards our trip to the US to get DS settled.

 

5) Back to School - $1000. Success. I know I used some for DS2's back to school clothes, and a bit of it for my staff fees that are always due when we start the school year.

 

6) Christmas 2014 - $1400. Success. and spent. grateful I had it saved.

 

7) Vehicle Plates - $1200. Success. This was for DS2's plates which were due in October. I actually only needed $960 of it as his new vehicle was cheaper for insurance than his old one.

 

2014 Aspirations - Experiences

1) embrace the past at ancestry.ca. Semi success. I did bursts of exploration and found some new things. I realized I have little time to do it during the school year though.

 

2) feed your love of reading. total fail. I read less this year than I ever have. This bothers me.

 

3) move move move more to feel great. Sporadic success. I definitely move more in the summer and early fall months than I do in the winter. I need to figure out a plan to keep walking during our long snowy months.

 

4) get more weight off your body. Fail. I never seem to be successful at this. Will I ever value my health?

 

5) take a road trip to rediscover the past or explore the future. Success. We did the 17 hour drive to DS's new hometown. While my derriere did not appreciate sitting that long, I was pleased that DS2 and I navigated so well together. It was amazing to see a new place. I felt an instant kinship with DS1's new city.

 

6) work smarter, not harder. Semi success. I am more aware of how much time I do not use well, and I know that I can tap that resource to I don't feel so much pressure during high stress seasons.

 

7) make conscious efforts to focus on the positive. Despite my sadness with DS leaving, I honestly think I have done a better job of this, especially at work. Amazing how a change in your mood affects your day and the day of those around you.

 

8) notice the beauty of simple, small moments. Success. I find myself tearful at so many tiny moments. So appreciative of them. maybe almost too teary :-)

 

9) shut off the tv more and turn on the music. At home? fail. At school when I am working on weekends or evenings? Success.  Technically it is not so much actual TV but Netflix. Same things though :-)

 

 

2014 was a heck of a ride. 2015 will be even busier with  more new experiences. I need to practice patience and planning to cope with these changes.