There are so many questions coming into 2018.
Will I finally buy a new house?
Will my car finally break down and require me to buy a new one?
Will my hairline recede more?
Will the fatness of youth return?
Will I have a child?
FYI: I'm not having a child.
But this year is going to be fun...and difficult.
Why difficult? It's going to be a difficult because I do have these and many more questions but there are no definite answers. That's also fun, right?
Now, I do have goals with reasonable answers worked out and with progress made. For instance, I have progress made on my goal to finish my short film Will, as I'm working with my editor currently. And my goal to go to Mexico and Tokyo? Plane tickets are already booked for both destinations and Mexico is happening in less than a month (with lodging and food tours booked).
Yet, these are goals I've tackled before. I've traveled. I've written and directed short films that I've overseen in post-production. I have scripts I need to polish and complete, but I've done that before. These are goals that I plan and scratch off every year.
Now, there are new goals I am unfamiliar on how to tackle like starting a tax deferred retirement plan or buying a house.
Wait.
Let's take a beat. Did I just say buying a house?
I said I'm buying a house
I said that. I haven't taken any action beyond contacting a friend/real estate broker who has let me in on the properties accessible. Thus I've been browsing, determining what location suits my desires and wants but also serves as a meaningful investment.
Last year I talked about looking into different areas and locations to determine where I should live. I've been talking about this step. I don't like just talking and not doing. So this is the year I'm doing it.
The Long Term
This is the year I do more in regards to long term investment. Once I graduated with my MLIS and moved out to a new job, it was only a matter of time before the goals I set forth in the 30 List were completed and new goals would arise.
This coming year is the transition. It's my last year of my twenties. I'll be turning 30 soon. I enjoy my day job, I have the opportunity to write and direct movies, and I've developed a lifestyle that I enjoy. It's time for a new curveball and solidifying the work I've completed into long-term aspirations.
This means a financial future. This means having money withdrawn from a tax deferred retirement plan now so when I am able to retire I will in good financial health. This means starting home ownership now so I can take advantage of the good credit I've developed over the past few years and build an asset (and pay less on mortgage than I do on rent).
While I haven't written about them in my blog -- they're less sexy than my writings about travel and filmmaking -- my financial future has all percolated with me for a while now. I've written in other posts about how I work to live up to the experiences I've dreamed of having when I was middle school and high school -- experiences like travel and filmmaking. Now I need to work towards living up to the experiences I imagine now: having a home, traveling to a new country every year, having a car that doesn't have a warning light on, helping people in my day job, more film festivals under my belt, and more.
This coming year will involve me setting up those roots for the long term.
Looking Forward
Every year I start off by contemplating "where do I want to be at the end of the year?" What do I want to look back and be happy I accomplished over the year?
There are so many questions to 2018 I can't answer, including that one. I have to embrace this uncertainty.
Note: I generally prefer certainty.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
The End of 2017
Politically speaking, I don't know how we survived 2017.
I'm reticent to say "We survived." My reticence is not due to sentiment but in superstition. I don't want to say "We survived" before the year ends only to have incompetent leaders do incompetent things that will lead to calamity.
Politically speaking (for the U.S. at least) this has been at best an anxious year and at worst the beginnings of the end of the world as we know it (in regards to our social and political stability). Make no mistake: while I mostly discuss my personal goals in my blog posts, I've had the same experiences as many of you. It's hard for me to not check Reuters every hour thinking if not anticipating a new catastrophic decision.
Last year I wrote about my 50 List and said the following: "no man is powerful enough to curb my ambition and the path I've worked hard to forge." I've aimed to live by that statement this year, that no matter how toxic our political atmosphere may be, I will continue to work towards my personal future.
Well, how did I do?
As I've written about earlier this year, it's impossible to complete 100% of one's goals. It's just not going to happen. In that post, I've asked "what were my goals really about." Now I ask: what was my year really about?
I've completed a substantial portion of my goals, both in 2017 and in my seasonal to-do lists.
Some of the things I've done this year include:
This was a year that I could stand at the edge of my 30 List and see the 50 List on the horizon. If the 30 List was about getting myself to finally work toward the person my high school and middle school self dreamed of being, the 50 List is about make this pursuit a lifestyle. While the 30 List was more specific ("Hike Machu Picchu") and about check marks, I've purposely tried to make the 50 List less specific. It's no longer about writing check marks on a list as much as it's about having a lifestyle I've nurtured and worked towards.
The road towards the life I want isn't as curvy and unpaved as it was when I was 22. Now, the road is paved. It has some curves (because life and the unexpected happens). But this was the year I was able to finally complete goals as part of a general, routine lifestyle. Filmmaking, writing and traveling are no longer dreams and bullet points on a list but a part of how I live, as part of my work/life balance.
That being said, there remain challenges and I will never not have goals. Now my ambitions towards a longer future -- owning a home, getting a new car eventually -- will post interesting bumps towards this lifestyle. After I buy a house, how long before I travel again? I will deal with that as it comes.
Relationships
This year was also about my relationships. It was about the work in holding positive relationships. It was about spending more time with friends and family (which includes my pup). It was about the continued work in holding a positive relationship with myself.
The truth is, I've never had a tremendous amount of self-worth. As I've written about in this post I'm not neurotypical. Before I had the words for who I am I was made aware of what I'm not for most of my whole life. While I feel better if not more positive about myself I still let my insecurities get the best of me. I've always felt like a burden -- that I'm high maintenance, that people want to spend time without me because they feel wired being around my wired self.
This year has seen me still deal with this insecurity. I'll never not deal with this. I'll never not feel like a burden. I'll never not feel self-conscious when someone says they were joking and I didn't realize it. But I've dealt with what I have and my insecurities in a way that's reasonably healthy. I've also improved at discussing who I am with close friends and others who have provided continued support and validation of my worth.
The continued development of my relationship to self in 2017 has been complemented in my relationships with others. A highlight of my year has certainly been my friends' wedding. I was quite humbled to see their happiness, to be an active part of their special day as a best man, and to play a part in an unforgettable weekend.
Likewise, I was able to have two successful day trips with my Habersham/lifer friends: one to Asheville and one to Charleston. This will become a priority in my future: having at least 1 day trip with my best friends.
I also entered this year determined to spend more time with Rory not just at home but out and about in town. Each weekend I visit my folks I take Rory out somewhere -- to hike, to eat, or to have coffee with. She's been on a couple of longer trips to restaurants in North GA and I've been successful in having our family join us. For her 10th birthday we took her to a coffeeshop and gave her a homemade birthday dog cookie. Now that she's 10 and now that I no longer live with her I want to continue spending as much time with her as possible.
In Short
I look back at my 2017 with an reasonable amount of satisfaction. There are threads still loose: Will, my short film, needs completion, and I still have more moments this year to experience with friends and family. Yet, the narrative of 2017 is stronger than 2007 because I'm more resolute and more confident in my capacity to accomplish my goals. A narrative needs determination and pursuit and as I work on my 2018 goals I will figure out my tactics, because I will not be stopped.
I'm reticent to say "We survived." My reticence is not due to sentiment but in superstition. I don't want to say "We survived" before the year ends only to have incompetent leaders do incompetent things that will lead to calamity.
Politically speaking (for the U.S. at least) this has been at best an anxious year and at worst the beginnings of the end of the world as we know it (in regards to our social and political stability). Make no mistake: while I mostly discuss my personal goals in my blog posts, I've had the same experiences as many of you. It's hard for me to not check Reuters every hour thinking if not anticipating a new catastrophic decision.
Last year I wrote about my 50 List and said the following: "no man is powerful enough to curb my ambition and the path I've worked hard to forge." I've aimed to live by that statement this year, that no matter how toxic our political atmosphere may be, I will continue to work towards my personal future.
Well, how did I do?
As I've written about earlier this year, it's impossible to complete 100% of one's goals. It's just not going to happen. In that post, I've asked "what were my goals really about." Now I ask: what was my year really about?
I've completed a substantial portion of my goals, both in 2017 and in my seasonal to-do lists.
Some of the things I've done this year include:
- Having croissants in a small Parisian boulangerie
- Seeing the Eiffel Tower
- Standing in a Roman theatre
- Having real dim sum and char siu in Hong Kong
- Standing (in awe) at the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul
- Feeling how cold the wind in the Grand Canyon feels
- Nearly passing out hiking in Cathedral Rock near Sedona
- Completing principal photography on a new short film
- Writing countless scripts
- Having my short film was shown at two film festivals (Chattanooga and Skyline Film Festivals)
- Tasting shrimp and grits in Charleston
- (Proudly) serving as the best man to my best friend's wedding while another best friend officiated.
This was a year that I could stand at the edge of my 30 List and see the 50 List on the horizon. If the 30 List was about getting myself to finally work toward the person my high school and middle school self dreamed of being, the 50 List is about make this pursuit a lifestyle. While the 30 List was more specific ("Hike Machu Picchu") and about check marks, I've purposely tried to make the 50 List less specific. It's no longer about writing check marks on a list as much as it's about having a lifestyle I've nurtured and worked towards.
The road towards the life I want isn't as curvy and unpaved as it was when I was 22. Now, the road is paved. It has some curves (because life and the unexpected happens). But this was the year I was able to finally complete goals as part of a general, routine lifestyle. Filmmaking, writing and traveling are no longer dreams and bullet points on a list but a part of how I live, as part of my work/life balance.
That being said, there remain challenges and I will never not have goals. Now my ambitions towards a longer future -- owning a home, getting a new car eventually -- will post interesting bumps towards this lifestyle. After I buy a house, how long before I travel again? I will deal with that as it comes.
Relationships
This year was also about my relationships. It was about the work in holding positive relationships. It was about spending more time with friends and family (which includes my pup). It was about the continued work in holding a positive relationship with myself.
The truth is, I've never had a tremendous amount of self-worth. As I've written about in this post I'm not neurotypical. Before I had the words for who I am I was made aware of what I'm not for most of my whole life. While I feel better if not more positive about myself I still let my insecurities get the best of me. I've always felt like a burden -- that I'm high maintenance, that people want to spend time without me because they feel wired being around my wired self.
This year has seen me still deal with this insecurity. I'll never not deal with this. I'll never not feel like a burden. I'll never not feel self-conscious when someone says they were joking and I didn't realize it. But I've dealt with what I have and my insecurities in a way that's reasonably healthy. I've also improved at discussing who I am with close friends and others who have provided continued support and validation of my worth.
The continued development of my relationship to self in 2017 has been complemented in my relationships with others. A highlight of my year has certainly been my friends' wedding. I was quite humbled to see their happiness, to be an active part of their special day as a best man, and to play a part in an unforgettable weekend.
Likewise, I was able to have two successful day trips with my Habersham/lifer friends: one to Asheville and one to Charleston. This will become a priority in my future: having at least 1 day trip with my best friends.
I also entered this year determined to spend more time with Rory not just at home but out and about in town. Each weekend I visit my folks I take Rory out somewhere -- to hike, to eat, or to have coffee with. She's been on a couple of longer trips to restaurants in North GA and I've been successful in having our family join us. For her 10th birthday we took her to a coffeeshop and gave her a homemade birthday dog cookie. Now that she's 10 and now that I no longer live with her I want to continue spending as much time with her as possible.
In Short
I look back at my 2017 with an reasonable amount of satisfaction. There are threads still loose: Will, my short film, needs completion, and I still have more moments this year to experience with friends and family. Yet, the narrative of 2017 is stronger than 2007 because I'm more resolute and more confident in my capacity to accomplish my goals. A narrative needs determination and pursuit and as I work on my 2018 goals I will figure out my tactics, because I will not be stopped.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Financial Goals
I think a lot about money.
Now, I don't think of money in terms of "I need to have a Mercedes Benz." I'm a public librarian. That ain't happening.
But I do think about financial scenarios. "What would happen if my car went kaput?" Or I think "if I retire will I still be able to travel?" While it's not something that stops me in my tracks or leaves me numb in anxiousness, I do think like this. I'm a long term thinker. I'm a goal-driven person. I'm a planner and financially planning is a part of my long term goals and my route towards personal happiness.
I'm reaching a point where as I cross from my 30 List to my 50 List certain new goals and challenges will become clear. These new goals include: owning a house, having a tax-deferred retirement plan, having a new-ish car, all while traveling to a foreign country and national park each year. Therefore, I think and plan ahead enough to know that my goals and actions are possible.
So, what am I thinking and planning? What are my financial goals?
Everyone has their financial priorities. Through my 20s my priorities were about personal development and dreams (my travels) as well career or professional development aspirations (getting a Master's, writing and directing festival-quality films). These remain priorities but now that I have a Master's and (thankfully) a stable job, I can think about new long-term stability priorities.
Those new financial or stability priorities:
Now, I don't think of money in terms of "I need to have a Mercedes Benz." I'm a public librarian. That ain't happening.
But I do think about financial scenarios. "What would happen if my car went kaput?" Or I think "if I retire will I still be able to travel?" While it's not something that stops me in my tracks or leaves me numb in anxiousness, I do think like this. I'm a long term thinker. I'm a goal-driven person. I'm a planner and financially planning is a part of my long term goals and my route towards personal happiness.
I'm reaching a point where as I cross from my 30 List to my 50 List certain new goals and challenges will become clear. These new goals include: owning a house, having a tax-deferred retirement plan, having a new-ish car, all while traveling to a foreign country and national park each year. Therefore, I think and plan ahead enough to know that my goals and actions are possible.
So, what am I thinking and planning? What are my financial goals?
Everyone has their financial priorities. Through my 20s my priorities were about personal development and dreams (my travels) as well career or professional development aspirations (getting a Master's, writing and directing festival-quality films). These remain priorities but now that I have a Master's and (thankfully) a stable job, I can think about new long-term stability priorities.
Those new financial or stability priorities:
- Owning a new house or townhouse/condo
- Having a retirement plan and savings
- Getting a new-ish car
- Start a rainy day savings account and maintain it by paying $100 in every month. Why is this a tactic: part of owning a house or a car is preparing for issues that may arise. An issue could be a freak accident or repair need. An issue could be that I'm furloughed but need to make a payment. So this is the first tactic towards my goal: set up a rainy day or as I call it a "furlough" savings account. I've completed this by setting up an account with a high-yield savings provider.
- Moving to a new checking account. My current bank was the primary bank in my home community. I no longer live in that community. I also don't trust the bank's standards, service, or rates for large-scale loans. Therefore by the end of December I aim to move my checking with a new bank (or credit union, very tempted to do a credit union) in order to establish a relationship with a bank that I can trust for mortgages or auto loans.
- Starting a 457 plan. My job allows for a tax-deferred retirement plan that county employees can get. This is a plan that allows pre-tax investments out of each paycheck towards a retirement account managed in a 457 plan. These plans are designed for county employees. My employer doesn't match the investment (like a 401K) and I can withdraw from any time before I'm a 59.5 (which I would like to not do).
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