Tag Archives: Challenges

2024 in Financial Fitness, Net worth, and Budgeting

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Finances Goals 2024

  • Apply to 365 usability studies
    • Applied to ~421 usability studies!
  • Make $2500 in side income including study gift cards and cash
    • I made more than this from side income including studies, receipt gift cards, Amazon credits from slow shipping, Rakuten, credit card rewards, selling things around the house, book review gift cards, dog/cat sitting, and working a part-time job for 216 hours over 7 months
  • Complete 4 mystery shops
    • I only completed 1 mystery shop
  • Spend less than I make
    • Technically from a dollars in to dollars out metric I spent more than I earned by 104%; however, this doesn’t take into account my tax refund I’m expecting as well as the money I invested throughout the year in my HSA and my Roth IRA.
  • Save for Japan trip 2025
    • I started out saving in the beginning of the year and started purchasing for the trip after that. We’ve already bought the Celebration tickets, flights from Austin – Tokyo, Hotel 1 for Celebration, Hotel 2 for Tokyo, and Hotel 4 for Kanazawa (using airline miles) out of 5 hotels. I also converted some dollars to Yen for initial cash to start. I estimate a third of the trip is already paid for.

Financial Accomplishments of 2024:

  • I completed 30 studies
  • I earned just over $2,000 from studies last year paid out in gift cards, credits, checks, and cash
  • I’ve saved $181.54 on Too Good To Go for the year with 15 bags (the app that lets you rescue unsold food at your favorite spots from an untimely fate and is typically 1/3 the cost of the retail value)
  • I earned $82.21 from browser extension Rakuten and $56 from receipt uploading (as gift cards)
  • I paid off 4 of the phones on my family plan
  • I earned over $500 in interest for my savings in my high-yield interest account with Capital One
  • I earned ~$900 in credit card rewards by utilizing my higher-earning card categories (I have a note on which cards are best for which spending categories) and with my newest Chase Sapphire Preferred card welcome bonus offer
  • I fully funded both my Roth IRA and my HSA for the year
  • My credit score, depending on where it is checked, ranged from 788 – 840
  • I sold stuff we no longer loved before moving to earn ~$500 towards our moving costs

Finances Goals 2025

  • Apply to 365 usability studies
  • Make $2500 in side income including study gift cards and cash
  • Complete 4 mystery shops
  • Spend less than I make

2023 Finances update

2022 Finances update

I like to take the month of January (my birth month) to update my net worth and financial information

I use a retirement calculator to see where I am on my retirement needs journey and fill out the following for the year:

Desired Retirement Age

Location

Annual Income before taxes

Social Security Age for Benefits

Yearly savings

Annual Retirement Expenses

IRA value

401k value

Shares ‘value’

Real estate (sale price – loan)

HSA investments

Precious Metals/Physical Assets Value

General Investing

Emergency Fund + cash

Credit Score

I take a look at my assets (and net worth) and how they’ve changed over time:

Asset 2024 % of value 2023 % of value 2022 % of value 2021 % of value 2020 % of value 2019 % of value
Stock Shares 18% 18% 13% 10% 11% 16%
Real Estate 32% 40% 49% 41% 0% 0%
Cash 4% 4% 4% 8% 24% 16%
General Stocks 4% 3% 3% 4% 21% 23%
Precious Metals 2% 2% 2% 2% 3% 4%
401k 5% 4% 4% 6% 7% 8%
Roth IRA 30% 23% 20% 25% 31% 32%
HSA 5% 5% 5% 4% 3% 0%
Total 2.6% increase 18.5% increase 16% increase  76% increase  53% increase

I like to check out where I am according to the government and possible future social security at SSA.gov

I look at how much I adhered to my monthly budgeting over the year and compare it to previous years’ spending:

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Education na 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% <1%
Other – Misc 2% 0% 3% 1% 3%  2% <1%
Charity na 1% 1% 1% 0%  0% <1%
Insurance na na na na na na <1%
Health 27% 2% 4% 2% 1%  1% 1%
Entertainment 2% 1% 1% 1% 2%  3% 1%
Gift na 2% 4% 3% 0%  1% 2%
HSA contributions from paycheck 5% na na 4% 2%  2% 2%
Fitness 1% 1% 1% 4% 2%  2% 3%
Household and clothing 3% 1% 4% 2% 10%  4% 3%
Groceries 7% 10% 11% 10% 6%  5% 4%
Bills – other (Phone) 3% 1% 4% 3% 3%  4% 4%
Eating Out 4% 8% 3% 5% 4%  3% 5%
Bills – Transportation 7% 9% 7% 4% 3%  5% 5%
Roth IRA contributions 9% 12% 12% 9% 6%  7% 7%
Travel 2% 5% 5% 3% 11%  13% 8%
Bills – Housing+Utilities 9% 17% 17% 14% 16%  15% 17%
Taxes paid 19% 28% 25% 22% 18%  19% 18%
Real Estate Investment na na na 12% 13%  18% 24%

 

Each year I also update my Legacy Binder to make sure the information is correct and accessible:

  • Insurance
    • Personal Insurance (Disability – short term/long term, Life)
    • Renter’s/House Insurance
    • Health Insurance
    • Car Insurance and AAA if applicable
  • Location of Documents/Items
    • Lastpass login, iPhone login
    • Precious metals
    • credit cards/debit cards
    • Medical History
    • Birth Certificate
    • Social Security Card
    • Passport
    • Last Tax Returns
    • Last Will and Testament along with: Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, and Funeral Wishes
    • Driver’s License
  • Account Information
    • Personal email and calendar
    • All banks including HSA and investing brokerage accounts
    • Business account and banking if applicable
    • Phone plan and account access
    • TSA Known Traveler
    • P2P digital payment shortcuts
  • Previous Addresses including the following information
    • Dates lived there
    • Landlord and contact information
    • Reason for moving
    • Rental price
  • Emergency Contacts including
    • Relationship
    • Birthday
    • Contact phone number
    • Contact email
    • Contact address

Goals and Accomplishments from 2024 and Future Goals for 2025

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , ,

2025 Goals

  • 2025 Describe yourself in 3 words: Fatigued, Thankful, Driven
    • 2024 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Centered, Wise
    • Theme for 2024: Body
  • 2024 Describe yourself in 3 words: Maximal, Goal-Oriented, Partner
    • 2024 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Growth, Decluttering, Minimize
    • Theme for 2024: Organization
  • 2023 Describe yourself in 3 words: Impatient, Forgetful, Loving
    • 2023 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Saving, Friendship, Experiences
    • Theme for 2023: Settling in
    • Goals list of 2023
  • 2022 Describe yourself in 3 words: Self, Partner, New
    • 2022 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Success, Happy Moments, Learning
    • Theme for 2022: Realize
    • Goals list of 2022
  • 2021 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Busy, Challenged
    • 2021 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Vacation, Attentive, Patience
    • Theme for 2021: Plan
    • Goals list of 2021
  • 2020 Describe yourself in 3 words: Anxious, Quick, Analytic
    • 2020 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Patience, Deliberate, Calm
    • Theme for 202: Hygge
    • Goals list of 2020
  • 2019 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Efficient, Restless
    • 2019 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Accomplished, Considerate
    • Theme for 2019: Minimize
    • Goals list of 2019
  • Goals list of 2018
  • Goals list of 2017
  • Goals list of 2016
  • Goals list of 2015

 

2024’s vision board reflection goes like this…

The birthday of my dreams in three parts: I signed up to volunteer at SXSW, my partner surprised (actually surprised) me with a half-day spa day, and we went for dinner and drinks at a rooftop bar. A rooftop bar is my go-to when visiting new cities. I also managed to snag quite a few birthday freebies around town.

I somehow managed to get a nail in my tire biking a mile from my house. I say ‘somehow’ but Austin has some of the least swept streets and car detritus accumulates easily in the bike paths. It is not only safer to bike on the sidewalk, it is also cleaner.

I like to participate in studies, and I was able to participate in one that involved a live brain MRI! I also took a pole doubles class and a ropes class. So many firsts this year!

I volunteered for the After Dark Feburary showcase with Lache and later the Death and the Day Star showcase with Lache. I got to draw the sign for After Dark – can you tell? They also let me setup and handle lights and even work the front desk and cash donation basket!

I love to volunteer. My lifetime estimate is just under 800 hours. I’ve added 74.5 hours to my lifetime volunteer hours this year in large part due to SXSW. What an experience! Such a large event! I wrote all about my time as a volunteer with SXSW earlier on my blog.

On Sundays, I worked part-time as a front desk associate at The Jungle Movement Academy in Round Rock from March through October. This family-friendly gym has all sorts of cool things, including a unique space and many coaches from various movement arts. Bonus points if you can spot me in a picture on their website! I had an employee membership for that time where I could take unlimited classes and they trained me to be a Lyra level 1 coach.

Jon took me to my first live basketball game on a trip to Houston where we went on the Houston Space Center NASA VIP tour. I also wrote about it on my blog earlier this year.

Jon and I ate the most expensive meal of my life as part of our anniversary celebration. It was an Omakase meal at Endo Sushi.

Jon’s mom joined us in the spring and we camped out for some of the best BBQ in Texas – Goldee’s BBQ in Fort Worth. We also camped out later in the year for what turned out to be the worst BBQ in Texas – Snow’s BBQ in Lexington.

I took a really cool Pentagram workshop where the aerial apparatus was taller than me! It was soooooo heavy. I also took a roller pole class while on a work trip in Littleton, CO. I made sure to wear my special matching donut outfit for both.

Austin was in the path of totality of a total solar eclipse. We were able to experience the event from our backyard. We also experienced hail the size of golf balls in Austin that same month! The size of the ones in our backyard was closer to the size of a quarter.

I fell off my bike… I was also bumped into by a truck later in the year and fell again. Always wear your helmet kids! And replace it when needed (ie when it saves your noggin).

I continue to level up in Pokemon Go and managed to get to level 48 on 5/15 (caught 6765; won 96 raids; visited 2667 pokestops). Jon and I typically participate in Raid Day on Wednesdays and Community Days throughout the year.

Jon and I managed to spend 4 days at Six Flags (6/8, 6/9 in Arlington, 11/2 in Arlington, 11/23 in San Antonio to get good value out of our yearly membership.

I went on 2 work trips to Littleton, CO and one trip for work to Covington, GA. The trip to GA resulted in an issue with VRBO we had to work through where our reservation was double booked and we were “stranded.” After early morning flights and a full work day we get to the VRBO and see a driveway full of cars! I always to try get some waffles when I’m staying at hotels and one of them had a mini (4 in one pan) waffle maker!

After some thought that I should try to ‘specialize’ in some way with my aerial hobby, I decided to get a mini lyra! I signed up for my first mini lyra performance at the upcoming Jungle Movement February showcase.

Austin might not have had Taylor Swift coming to town but there were some awesome live events we got tickets for, including Cirque du Soleil Crystal, an  Austin FC game, Sarah Sherman & Chloe Fineman at the Paramount, Lindsay Stirling with opener Walk Off the Earth, Hans Zimmer Candelilight quartet, Galactic Empire Come and Take it Live, Ice & Field at the Crossover (ice skating show), the Gold Over America Tour, and Peter Pan the Musical. Other live shows I saw were Hans Zimmer (Dallas), Christmas with the Crawfods (my sister’s show in Fort Myers!), and Piccadilly (Fort Myers).

Jon and I found a house sit in DC with Ragdolls! Though our plane was 4 hours delayed and we didn’t get in until 2AM we had a blast in DC. We took a day trip to Philly. That was my first trip to DC and Philly and you can read my standalone blog about the trip. We essentially ate our way around town and lazed about with the cats.

Jon traded in his GTI for a BMW so now we’re known as the people who don’t use their blinker (we do in fact use the blinker but that’s the BMW stereotype).

My brother won 2nd place in the New Yorker cartoon caption contest. I think that’s cooler than my coolest win (a boot toss).

I met Lenore Zann (the voice of Rogue in X-Men) when I was volunteering for the Greater Austin Comic Con. She shook my hand. Weird Al was there but I didn’t meet him. I got to do line control for him though which was cool because they only let trusted volunteers work anywhere near the Celebrities. And by trusted I mean people who are actually doing things while volunteering and not just standing around (a lot of volunteering is actually standing around but being observant while doing so).

I forgot to send in the form to vote via mail so we voted – early – and in person! They only had Spanish “I voted” stickers.

I reprised my Waldo outfit for Halloween and got my hair colored as part of my future cosplay efforts.

We went to the Video Game Museum in Dallas and Cosm – a unique film screening experience where they screen live sports events but we watched a taped version of “O” by Cirque du Soleil. I was very excited to watch this one because of the documentary Without a Net. We also tried out yet another highly rated BBQ place nearby – Panther City BBQ which has the best burger and a very good BBQ selection (and almost no line both times we went).

Jon took me to a cool nighttime woodland trail experience filled with magical creatures and wizarding wonders from the Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™ films.

We moved to a new house 15 minutes away from our previous house – in Austin proper now! I promptly stubbed my toe so hard on the fireplace feature that I think I bruised the bone. This was my final and fifth minor injury of the year. 1. February – tendonitis in my left wrist from too much handstand conditioning 2. April – right hamstrung overextended during a silks split 3. July – excessive flexion of left ankle after jumping onto a soft mat at the gym 4. October – knocked off my bike by a truck on my way home from a dance class and twisted my right knee 5. November – jammed my right pinky toe. Guess how much I paid for doctor visits in 2024? Almost nothing because I used my Zoom doc each time… and followed RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and they all got better over time.

We did another house sit with two Frenchies. And we were able to cuddle goats!

We went to see Skeleton Crew at a pre-screening event and I dressed up in my Sabine Wren cosplay that I’m putting together for next year.

I took a Choux baking class with Sur La Table. It actually rose! The trick is a stand mixer go figure. I wore my custom Donut Rachel apron and everyone loved it!

For my final trick of the year I visited family in Florida for the Holidays! I even got to see my Cousins, Aunt, and Uncle. We met up at Disney because my older cousin works there. How cool is that! I wore my casual Sabine outfit to Hollywood Studios. My younger cousin also Disney bounded – can you guess who she is dressed as? My sister found us a Wicked sing-along to go to during the week. We tried out some new foods. My mom and I went to a salt therapy session. My sister and some of her partner’s family took us to a fancy and totally awesome tea party. I got to cuddle with my mom’s and sister’s cats. We played Jenga (I lost). We played Scrabble (I lost). We played Jeopardy (I lost). We played Heads Up (we all won playing this game). We opened presents. We made dip cakes (I critiqued and ate but didn’t help cook other than to help misplace the yeast). We took walks. We saw an alligator. I didn’t wear my sweater everywhere. We drove around St. Armands. We drove around Sarasota. We drove from Fort Myers to Orlando and back.

2024 specific goals:

  • Take Japanese language classes all year
    • I mean…. We did take an actual language class with JASGA here in Austin (online weekly sessions) for the first part of the year. Then I did some Duolingo. Then I kind of stopped.
  • Learn the Japanese alphabet
    • The Japanese language has several alphabets and I started learning one of them. I should get back into that one this year.
  • Make a Japan trip plan and start prep
    • I love trip planning and am trying out a new travel planning site along with my Notes and spreadsheets. Wanderlog already saved me a couple hundred when it flagged one of the hotels that had dropped in price!
  • House sit for either a pig, Ragdoll, Frenchie, or Shiba Inu
    • Nailed this one! We sat for both Ragdolls and Frenchies!
  • Create the best and most fitting Star Wars costume
    • I’m still working on my Sabine Wren outfit with two versions – the more casual and easier to walk around in and the one with more accessories.
  • Take a choux pastry-making class
    • Done! I hemmed and hawed over the price but when it dropped with a discount for end-of-year savings I booked it.
  • clean out/organize: Phone, Watch, Photos, Videos, OneNote, Gmails, Outlook, LastPass, Egnyte folders, Death Binder, Maps, Google Drive, Closets
    • Every year digitally I need to clean out and re-organize but I did make significant improvements with my Photos, Videos, OneNote, Gmails, Lastpass, Egnyte, Maps, and Closets. It’s not finished but it’s an ongoing effort.
  • Get to 365 Yelp reviews
    • I wrote 205 reviews in 2024 and had 67 prior so am a little shy of this number

2025 specific goals:

  • Review every new restaurant/business that I go to on Yelp
  • Practice cake baking and decorating – learn one new related skill
  • Maximize the use of my 2025 health benefits
  • Go to at least 5 classes/month at Orange Theory Fitness while I have the membership
  • Have an epic Japan trip and do not panic while using public transit or when trying to find things in the train stations
  • Get to level 49 in Pokemon Go

2023 in Financial Fitness, Net worth, and Budgeting

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Finances Goals 2023:

  • Keep $10,000 in my emergency fund
    • I was able to keep my emergency cash above $10,000 all year.
  • $250,000 in assets
    • According to my potential real estate sale value and all my retirement accounts and cash combined, I have met this goal!

Financial Accomplishments of 2023:

  • I applied for a total of 622 usability studies and completed 43
  • I earned nearly $3,000 from studies last year paid out in gift cards, credits, checks, and cash
  • I was able to use $293 reimbursed mystery shopping dining out this year (and got to try some cool new restaurants in the process)
  • I’ve saved $618 on Too Good To Go since March of 2022 (the app that lets you rescue unsold food at your favorite spots from an untimely fate)
  • I earned $115.50 from browser extensions and $75 from receipt uploading (as gift cards)
  • Capital One Savings account increased their interest to 4.35% APY on all balances, letting my emergency fund earn me over the 2023 3.2% inflation rate
  • I opted for Gift Cards to Amazon for many of my usability study payouts and combined those purchases with slow shipping to earn $68 in digital credits
  • I earned over $500 in credit card rewards by utilizing my higher-earning card categories (I have a note on which cards are best for which spending categories)
  • I fully funded both my Roth IRA and my HSA for the year
  • My credit score increased to 800+

Finances Goals 2024

  • Apply to 365 usability studies
  • Make $2500 in side income including study gift cards and cash
  • Complete 4 mystery shops
  • Spend less than I make
  • Save for Japan trip 2025

2022 Finances update

 

I like to take the month of January (my birth month) to update my net worth and financial information

I use a retirement calculator to see where I am on my retirement needs journey and fill out the following for the year:

Desired Retirement Age

Location

Annual Income before taxes

Social Security Age for Benefits

Yearly savings

Annual Retirement Expenses

IRA value

401k value

Shares ‘value’

Real estate (sale price – loan)

HSA investments

Precious Metals/Physical Assets Value

General Investing

Emergency Fund + cash

Credit Score

I take a look at my assets (and net worth) and how they’ve changed over time:

Asset

2023 % of value

2022 % of value

2021 % of value

2020 % of value

2019 % of value

Stock Shares

18%

13%

10%

11%

16%

Real Estate

40%

49%

41%

0%

0%

Cash

4%

4%

8%

24%

16%

General Stocks

3%

3%

4%

21%

23%

Physical Assets

2%

2%

2%

3%

4%

401k

4%

4%

6%

7%

8%

IRA

23%

20%

25%

31%

32%

HSA

5%

5%

4%

3%

0%

Total

18.5% increase

16% increase

 76% increase

 53% increase

I like to check out where I am according to the government and possible future social security at SSA.gov

I look at how much I adhered to my monthly budgeting over the year and compare it to previous years’ spending:

 2018

 2019

 2020

 2021

 2022

 2023

Health

27%

2%

4%

2%

1%

 1%

Fitness

1%

1%

1%

4%

2%

 2%

Education

 0%

2%

0%

0%

0%

0%

Eating Out

4%

8%

3%

5%

4%

 3%

Gift

 0%

2%

4%

3%

0%

 1%

Groceries

7%

10%

11%

10%

6%

 5%

Household and clothing

3%

1%

4%

2%

10%

 4%

Travel

2%

5%

5%

3%

11%

 13%

Entertainment

2%

1%

1%

1%

2%

 3%

Bills – Transportation

7%

9%

7%

4%

3%

 5%

Bills – Housing+Utilities

9%

17%

17%

14%

16%

 15%

Bills – other (Phone)

3%

1%

4%

3%

3%

 4%

Other – Misc

2%

0%

3%

1%

3%

 2%

Charity

 0%

1%

1%

1%

0%

 0%

IRA contributions

9%

12%

12%

9%

6%

 7%

HSA contributions from paycheck

5%

 0%

 0%

4%

2%

 2%

Taxes paid

19%

28%

25%

22%

18%

 19%

Real Estate Investment

 NA

NA

NA

12%

13%

 18%

Each year I also update my Legacy Binder to make sure the information is correct and accessible:

  • Insurance
    • Personal Insurance (Disability – short term/long term, Life)
    • Renter’s/House Insurance
    • Health Insurance
    • Car Insurance and AAA if applicable
  • Location of Documents/Items
    • Lastpass login, iPhone login
    • Precious metals
    • credit cards/debit cards
    • Medical History
    • Birth Certificate
    • Social Security Card
    • Passport
    • Last Tax Returns
    • Last Will and Testament along with: Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, and Funeral Wishes
    • Driver’s License
  • Account Information
    • Personal email and calendar
    • All banks including HSA and investing brokerage accounts
    • Business account and banking if applicable
    • Phone plan and account access
    • TSA Known Traveler
    • P2P digital payment shortcuts
  • Previous Addresses including the following information
    • Dates lived there
    • Landlord and contact information
    • Reason for moving
    • Rental price
  • Emergency Contacts including
    • Relationship
    • Birthday
    • Contact phone number
    • Contact email
    • Contact address

Goals and Accomplishments from 2023 and Future Goals for 2024

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , ,

2024 Goals

  • 2024 Describe yourself in 3 words: Maximal, Goal-Oriented, Partner
    • 2024 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Growth, Decluttering, Minimize
    • Theme for 2024: Organization
  • 2023 Describe yourself in 3 words: Impatient, Forgetful, Loving
    • 2023 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Saving, Friendship, Experiences
    • Theme for 2023: Settling in
    • Goals list of 2023
  • 2022 Describe yourself in 3 words: Self, Partner, New
    • 2022 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Success, Happy Moments, Learning
    • Theme for 2022: Realize
    • Goals list of 2022
  • 2021 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Busy, Challenged
    • 2021 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Vacation, Attentive, Patience
    • Theme for 2021: Plan
    • Goals list of 2021
  • 2020 Describe yourself in 3 words: Anxious, Quick, Analytic
    • 2020 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Patience, Deliberate, Calm
    • Theme for 202: Hygge
    • Goals list of 2020
  • 2019 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Efficient, Restless
    • 2019 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Accomplished, Considerate
    • Theme for 2019: Minimize
    • Goals list of 2019
  • Goals list of 2018
  • Goals list of 2017
  • Goals list of 2016
  • Goals list of 2015

 

Instead of the usual “What were my goals” and “Did I accomplish them” bullet list, I will look back at what I’ve done since the beginning of 2023…

One of the funniest things I saw all year goes to Jon and his impromptu acting when he was chosen out of the crowd to be in the Paranormal Cirque show at the pop-up in Barton.

It was a blast spending my birthday in Florida, spending a night in my house, getting to see my sister perform in the play “Proof” and going to Busch Gardens with our matchy-matchy shirts.

I continued to keep up a new friendship with yoga get-togethers but first invited her to a baby goat cuddling event. I still haven’t gotten to a goat yoga event yet but will keep my eye out for that opportunity in the future

Our rental survived a week of icy weather and several hail storms!

I continue to prove our realtor wrong when I bike places. She said we wouldn’t find a house where I could walk to the grocery store and that it would be tough to bike places. We live a 5-minute walk to a grocery store and I bike whenever it works out (to our Hotworx and to Revolt mainly) instead of driving.

I volunteered at both the After Dark showcase and the Dreams and Monsters showcase at Lache. I even did something new by running the lights for one show and climbing into the ceiling rafters to release the backdrop curtains. Pictured below is when I was a pole kitten with my sticky pants and they didn’t protect my skin from pole burns 😦

I went to puppy yoga twice and kitten yoga once!

Jon camped out for hours so we could have the Franklin’s BBQ experience with our family in town.

Even more family visited this past year  – dad, brother, mom, and sister! Took the family to the Capital building, the LBJ library, Waco, San Antonio, and Bucc’ees!

My brother and I took a sushi-making class

Had a special 5th-anniversary dinner at The Oasis (thanks to Lorri’s gift card).

Was the very first customer ever for my favorite bubble tea brand: Happy Lemon (and 33rd to the grand opening of Teaspoon)

Went strawberry picking and visited the Alamo in San Antonio

Dog walked and did 6 house sits through Trusted House Sitters with stellar reviews in Austin, Pflugerville, and San Antonio with 11 different animals including a rabbit, chickens, a corgi, and a Great Pyrenees.

Friends also visited Austin and I got to spend time with them. I also created a one-day Austin itinerary.

Finally got my hands on one of the Texas donuts from Round Rock Donuts.

Went to the Rodeo even though it was outdoors in the summer!

Made the best cheesecake I’ve ever eaten (Courtesy of the best cheesecake recipe ever from LeRoy and Lewis)

Jon and I were trivia winners for Star Wars Trivia at Spare Time (and still had fun without winning at Marvel Trivia, Disney Trivia, and Harry Potter Trivia)

I did one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done with a Discover Scuba class and getting Open Water certification

Over the year I leveled up twice in Pokemon Go and had a Pokemon last a long time in a gym.

I got Pet CPR certified and worked on my house sit/pet sit go bag to take to sits and visits.

I committed to every challenge at my local Hotworx and even won a free month!

I sought out volunteer opportunities like POP cats, the Coffee Festival, and the Texas Book Festival.

I was finally able to live my dream surrounded by a thousand corgis at the Texas Corgi Roundup.

Jon and I planned and executed an amazing trip to Hawaii

 

I passed my 9th year doing pole and wrote up my thoughts (though I mostly am doing aerials now)

Went to my a Jack Black concert (The Spicy Meatball tour) and to the AMC screening of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour as well as Metallica’s 2-night concert at AMC.

Finally went to the Museum of Illusions and the Cat Cafe in Austin.

Checked out several fun events like the NASA Lights and Peppermint Parkway.

Spent Christmas in Mexico doing amazing things that were easy like swimming with dolphins and things that were difficult like jumping into a cenote

I lost my Wordle streak, got it in one try, and kept up the longest streak (still going) this year.

I finished a few videogames and didn’t finish a few videogames with Jon this year: Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Disney Illusion Island, and Stardew Valley

I was invited to become a Yelp Elite Member! Several of my Yelp reviews were featured.

My blog rachelauthorbarnard.com received 2,668 page views, I made 15 posts, I got 77 likes and 8 comments. I made 68 Facebook posts (most are posted from Instagram). I made 94 posts on Instagram.

Next year I have several specific goals as well as life organization tasks:

  • Take Japanese language classes all year
  • Learn the Japanese alphabet
  • Make a Japan trip plan and start prep
  • House sit for either a pig, Ragdoll, Frenchie, or Shiba Inu
  • Create the best and most fitting Star Wars costume
  • Take a choux pastry-making class
  • clean out/organize
    • Phone
    • Watch
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • OneNote
    • Gmails
    • Outlook
    • Lastpass
    • Egnyte folders
    • Death Binder
    • Maps
    • Google Drive
    • Closets

Goals and Accomplishments from 2022 and Future Goals for 2023

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , ,

2023 Goals!!!

  • 2023 Describe yourself in 3 words: Impatient, Forgetful, Loving
    • 2022 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Saving, Friendship, Experiences
    • Theme for 2023: Settling in
  • 2022 Describe yourself in 3 words: Self, Partner, New
    • 2022 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Success, Happy Moments, Learning
    • Theme for 2022: Realize
    • Goals list of 2022
  • 2021 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Busy, Challenged
    • 2021 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Vacation, Attentive, Patience
    • Theme for 2021: Plan
    • Goals list of 2021
  • 2020 Describe yourself in 3 words: Anxious, Quick, Analytic
    • 2020 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Patience, Deliberate, Calm
    • Theme for 202: Hygge
    • Goals list of 2020
  • 2019 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Efficient, Restless
    • 2019 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Accomplished, Considerate
    • Theme for 2019: Minimize
    • Goals list of 2019
  • Goals list of 2018
  • Goals list of 2017
  • Goals list of 2016
  • Goals list of 2015

 

Fitness goals 2022:

  • Take 4 handstand classes – I worked on handstand prep in some classes but never actually took a handstand class. I would like to take at least one next year!
  • Take floorwork advanced series – Unfortunately, I never got a chance to take this class due to scheduling conflicts 😦
  • Pass intermediate inversions into advanced inversions at Divine Movement Dance – I switched to mainly taking Lyra classes this year and didn’t attend enough pole classes consistently to finesse the two transitions that were holding me back (pike to superman and Allegra to pike)
  • 10 chin-ups/pull-ups – Accomplished 07/27/2022!
  • 1-handed pull-up – Accomplished and I put this move into my September Lyra performance
  • Handspring Ayesha – Still working on this move and will continue to try in 2023 whenever I take pole classes
  • 1000 miles total on my ebike – Seattle weather and a move kept me somewhat shy of this goal. As soon as my bike is fixed from moving damage, I’ll be able to hit this goal and then some! 267.5 miles total in 2022; 260 miles total in 2021; 390 miles total in 2020 for a grand total of 917.5 miles!
  • Floor limbo just because – After seeing someone do this on the grass at a party and on roller skates at a party, it piqued my interest but I never actually attempted to learn how to do it… Would be a neat party trick but I’d have to ask someone who knows what they’re doing if my body has what it takes to get there.
  • Go to every pole studio in Seattle – I took a class at all the studios: Divine Movement Kirkland, Divine Movement Seattle, Ascendance, Pole Fitness Seattle, Pole Fitness Seattle Bellevue, Raven Studios, Versatile Arts, Mora Pole Studio, and Emerald City Trapeze Arts. I went to a clothing exchange at Positive Spin but never got to take any classes there.

Fitness goals 2023:

  • Lyra – unassisted front balance
  • Pole – handspring ayesha
  • Floorwork – solid fish flop
  • Floorwork – work on a hand balance pose/transition that I can freestyle into/out of
  • Aerial – check out every studio in the Austin area
  • Aerial – perform at least once in some capacity!
  • Aerial – Work on the correct position for flying trapeze hand catch prep
  • Aerial – continue to explore other fun classes/workshops like duo lyra, bungee, trampoline, etc.
  • Aerial – volunteer/help out in a show/comp
  • 1000 miles lifetime on my ebike
  • 321 miles on our new stationary bike

 

Finances Goals 2022:

  • Build back up to $10,000 in my emergency fund – I reached $10,000 in April after my tax refund and LLC account reimbursement payout
  • Make $5000 from my LLC – Only made ~$3500

Finances Goals 2023:

  • Save enough to exercise stock options expiring in September 2023
  • Keep $10,000 in my emergency fund
  • $250,000 in assets

 

Misc. Goals 2022:

  • Career Development Training – Only did online webinars – I now have 25 RAC from RAPS as credits
  • Career development find a mentor – didn’t reach out to anyone specific
  • Take 2 cooking/baking classes – took the latte art class for the second time and loved it! I didn’t take any other cooking classes.
  • Pole Expo/Convention/Corgi Con – tabled for the year but will consider in the future if the dates/timing/budget are good
  • Take ASL classes along with my Duolingo daily Turkish studies – Tried out one app but didn’t want to pay for one more subscription. Stopped working on Turkish but did manage to make top 6% of learners on Duolingo!

Misc. Goals 2023:

  • Career Development Training
  • Take one cooking/baking class

Goals and Accomplishments from 2021 and Future Goals for 2022

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , ,

Goals list of 2014
Goals list of 2015
Goals list of 2016
Goals list of 2017
Goals list of 2018
Goals list of 2019
Goals list of 2020

2022 Goals!!!

  • 2022 Describe yourself in 3 words: Self, Partner, New
    • 2022 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Success, Happy Moments, Learning
    • Theme for 2022: Realize
  • 2021 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Busy, Challenged
    • 2021 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Vacation, Attentive, Patience
    • Theme for 2021: Plan
  • 2020 Describe yourself in 3 words: Anxious, Quick, Analytic
    • 2020 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Patience, Deliberate, Calm
    • Theme for 202: Hygge
  • 2019 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Efficient, Restless
    • 2019 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Accomplished, Considerate
    • Theme for 2019: Minimize

 

Fitness goals 2021:

  • Freestanding handstand
    • I took two handstand classes and felt like I was getting a better form but not at all close to freestanding and I still have wrist fatigue.
  • Take floorwork intermediate series
    • Check!
  • Pass intermediate inversions into advanced inversions at Divine Movement Dance
    • We moved mid-year and I switched studios so pushing this goal to next year when we move back closer or I start taking classes again
  • Get to 12 pullups of any kind in a row
    • Stuck at 9 chin-ups. Changing this to 10 and moving to next year.
  • Bike 1000 total on my ebike (already 390 from 2020)
    • We moved mid-year and I didn’t bike as much during the summer months so only eked out another 260 miles.
  • 500 lifetime aerial classes
    • Check! I’m at 508 for the year

Fitness goals 2022:

  • Take 4 handstand classes
  • Take floorwork advanced series
  • Pass intermediate inversions into advanced inversions at Divine Movement Dance
  • 10 chin-ups/pull-ups
  • 1-handed pull-up
  • Handspring Ayesha
  • 1000 miles total on my ebike
  • Floor limbo just because

 

 

Finances Goals 2021:

  • Max out my Roth IRA, 401k and HSA contributions
    • Check!
  • Save 50% of my income
    • I increased my bills when I bought a house so this goal wasn’t practical and I tabled it mid-year

Finances Goals 2022:

  • Build back up to $10,000 in my emergency fund
  • Make $5000 from my LLC

 

 

Writing Goals 2021

  • Deplete my physical book inventory
    • Check!
  • Go to a conference/workshop for writing
    • Tabled – not interested in writing at this time
  • Revamp website
    • Tabled
  • Finish outlining Two for Tiny
    • Tabled
  • Finish the first draft of Two for Tiny
    • Tabled

 

Personal Goals 2021

  • Take a bookkeeping class
    • Tabled
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
    • Passed my test but didn’t finish my project
  • Build a seed library and/or trellis
    • Tabled
  • Grow loofah
    • Tabled
  • Take a doughnut-making class
    • Check! I had so much fun at all my cooking classes in December including latte art and a class at Salty’s with my housemate
  • Take goat/bunny yoga class
    • Tabled. But I did take a stretch class with a cat I was watching
  • Face time with friends/family every month
    • I’ve been calling my family more – not necessarily FaceTime

Personal Goals 2022:

  • Career Development training
  • Career development find a mentor
  • Take 2 cooking/baking classes
  • Pole Expo/Convention/Corgi Con
  • Take ASL classes along with my Duolingo daily Turkish studies

Goals and Accomplishments from 2020 and Future Goals for 2021

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , ,

Goals list of 2014
Goals list of 2015
Goals list of 2016
Goals list of 2017
Goals list of 2018
Goals list of 2019

2021 Goals!!!

  • 2021 Describe yourself in 3 words:
    • 2021 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Vacation, Attentive, Patience
    • Theme for 2021: Plan
  • 2020 Describe yourself in 3 words: Anxious, Quick, Analytic
    • 2020 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Patience, Deliberate, Calm
    • Theme for 202: Hygge
  • 2019 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Efficient, Restless
    • 2019 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Accomplished, Considerate
    • Theme for 2019: Minimize

 

Fitness goals 2020:

I want to try out some small lifestyle change style challenges. I wanted to spend each month focusing on a different aspect of health and fitness. Here are my ideas so far: stretching every morning, increasing my water intake, cooking all my own food, reading more self-growth books, eating more veggies, biking/running, reducing my sugar intake. I very much enjoy the Blogilates challenges and may continue to use those challenges and/or the monthly calendar. 2020 Fitness Actual: I didn’t go forward with this 12-month style challenge and meandered a lot throughout the year with my fitness. I joined a 4-week lifestyle and fitness group challenge and then completed the P-90X fitness course. I completed the Divine 12 days of fitness challenge (taking 12 online classes within 17 days). I tried out an advent style fitness challenge that I abandoned 15 days in because it was too much for my body.

Fitness goals 2021:

  • Freestanding handstand
  • Take floorwork intermediate series
  • Pass intermediate inversions into advanced inversions at Divine Movement Dance
  • Get to 12 pullups of any kind in a row
  • Bike 1000 total on my ebike (already 390 from 2020)

 

Finances Goals 2020:

  1. Max out my Roth IRA, 401k and HSA contributions
    1. Nailed it! Maxed out all three of these investment accounts
  2. Build up my emergency savings to 6 months
    1. I think I’ve accomplished this goal. If I were to rely on my emergency savings, I wouldn’t spend as much as I do currently monthly so what I have saved would actually last 6 months. If I were to calculate 6 month’s spending then I’m I’m $2300 short of a complete 6 month’s emergency savings. In another 8 months I would have that amount in my emergency savings with my automatic savings plan.
  3. Save 50% of my income.
    1. I spent 40% of my gross income
    2. I spent 53% of my net income
  4. Reach 6-figure net worth
    1. Mid-December I hit this goal!

Finances Goals 2021:

  1. Max out my Roth IRA, 401k and HSA contributions
  2. Save 50% of my income

 

Writing Goals 2020:

  • Deplete my physical book inventory
    • Sold/gave away 42 print books this year!
  • Break even on Ataxia and At One’s Beast
    • With my marketing push, I was able to meet this goal in January!
  • Revamp my website
    • Pushed this off
  • Write 4 short stories
  • Send out 4 newsletters
    • Technically I already met this goal with my early December promotional newsletter, but I have one more to send out for my end of year recap.
  • Publish a new coloring book
    • Did not pursue this new project

Writing Goals 2021

  • Deplete my physical book inventory
  • Go to a conference/workshop for writing
  • Revamp website
  • Finish outlining Two for Tiny
  • Finish first draft of Two for Tiny

 

Personal Goals 2021

  1. Take a bookkeeping class
  2. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
  3. Build a seed library and/or trellis
  4. Grow loofah
  5. Take a doughnut making class
  6. Take goat/bunny yoga class
  7. Face time with friends/family every month

 

For Q1 here are my specific goals:

  • Financial: Update my death binder and review finances on my birthday 1/22
  • Fitness: Personal session for handstands, 2 stretch classes, no sweets and treats until my birthday (1/22)
  • Writing: Book giveaway for my birthday, newsletter, Review two Indie Books (Canopy by D.M. Darroch and Flintelf by Victoria Bastedo), quote and plan for website revamp
  • Personal: Face time with Rich, Face Time with Chris, Face Time with Danelle; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification exam in February

What I Ate in a Month – Intentional Eating – Love Yourself Lean Program

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

For four weeks I ate intentionally and according to a specific nutrition plan from the Love Yourself Lean Program. “Our 4-Week Coaching Program combines an online course, live group coaching, and 1-on-1 support to help you predictably boost fat loss, energy levels, and mental focus.” I’m a fan of charts and challenges and had fun documenting everything I ate in the last month along with my activity level and workouts. I’m always fascinated to look at the details and specifics of what people eat and enjoy the “what I eat in a day” videos on Youtube. I like seeing how the food is prepared and the portion sizes so I decided to take pictures of meals and snacks as much as possible. At the beginning of this program my partner and I did a Bodyscan and I was surprised that even though the scale tells me I am the same weight that I was two years ago, I’ve gained 3% bodyfat in the last 1.5 years. After we finish our P90X workout program we plan to do another Bodyscan and I’ll be able to truly see the effects of continuing with the Love Yourself Lean nutrition program.

Goals for the month:

Goal

Explanation/Comments

Cook 99% of meals (84 meals not including snacks)

I prepared 82/84 of my meals = 98%

Eat more veggies

So many veggies!

No added sugars

Kombucha with low sugar, dark chocolate, milk chocolate bar, juneberry homemade jam with small amount of white sugar

No cheese or dairy

Jalapeno cheese in the hot dog I ate, ricotta cheese in the GF pasta I made, Haggis (sheep’s milk cheese) = 4 meals out of 84 with dairy in them

64oz water/day (28 days total)

17/28 days drank >64oz water = 61%, 1744oz total or 62oz average per day

No gluten

Chicken wings, Where Ya Matt beignet and bites of prepared foods for 2/84 of the meals

No alcohol

Low sugar can of hard cider over two meals and two days near the end of the four weeks

 

From the Love Yourself Lean Program: Avoid as much as possible:

  • GLUTEN GRAINS
  • DAIRY
  • Soy
  • Artificial ingredients
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Sugar
  • Corn
  • Legumes
  • Vegetable Oils

My daily meals, snacks, water intake, activities, steps from my Oura ring counter, mile walking equivalency from my Oura ring, total burn in calories from my Oura ring, weight every morning, and any significant feelings or issues are detailed below. I noticed that the first week I craved corn chips. I could eat corn chips for every meal every day that whole week. I slowly adopted more of the nutritional guidelines into my meals after the first week while focusing on my 7 main goals.

Adventures in Veganism/Vegetarianism – One Week Vegetarian

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Look ma, no meat!

I did it again… but this time instead of eliminating animal products I prioritized fruits and vegetables. What does it mean to eat vegan or vegetarian? Privilege. I can find, purchase, prepare, and consume hearty vegetables and supplement my diet with vitamins. I didn’t eat rice and beans for a week. I spent my time, effort, and money to micromanage my diet for 6 days – two of which were vegan days.

I did not plan to eat ‘vegan’ per se, because my partner wanted to try out the ‘fruit diet’ for a week. Fruits happen to be vegan! I decided that I wanted to balance my diet and prioritize vegetables instead of fruit. Because veggies! Because why not! Because macros and balance!

Here are a few of my takeaways from this round of vegan/vegetarian eating (see my previous challenge here: http://rachelbarnardvegan.blogspot.com/)

  • Planning became essential
    • Going out and picking the fruits and vegetables was essential
    • Food prep took quite a bit of time measuring, chopping, etc. Weighing foods takes so much time!
    • I created a spreadsheet with all the veggies, nuts, and fruit I bought with 1oz serving sizes and then puzzled out how to attain a good balance of fat, sugar, carb, and protein from there
    • Basic google research told me that I should be eating around 1,367 calories per day of which 40% would be protein (137g), 30% would be carbohydrates (103g), and 30% would be fats (46g). No mention of sugar… hm. I attempted to cap my sugar intake at 25g (hahaha that didn’t happen. Did you know that fruits have quite a bit of sugar? Did you know that vegetables have carbs?
  • Fresh foods take up a lot of space in the fridge (yeah, I know canned and frozen foods exist, but again privilege)
  • You can stock certain products to add balance and protein to your diet.
    • Hemp seeds/hearts are high in protein and fat and very low in sugar
    • Chia seeds have no sugar
    • Chlorella is gross and will overpower your smoothie but it is pure protein
    • Flax milk seems to be the highest of the non-dairy milks in protein with very little carbs and no sugar that I could find at our local Safeway. I don’t recommend drinking it plain but it makes a great addition to smoothies and coffee. It even tastes creamy
    • Nutritional yeast is a great protein additive for topping salads, mixing into smoothies, and hiding in a stir fry but it will also start to overpower the flavor of your food and to me it doesn’t taste at all like cheese
    • Coconut milk is a great fat and delicious for making chia pudding
  • You can eat a great volume of vegetables without consuming that many calories (not true for all vegetables). Sometimes my salads were too big for my appetite and they were less than 400 calories.
  • You don’t need to eat as many nuts as you think… if you eat them intentionally they will satisfy you and I quite like the taste of all the nuts I got (the order of my favorites that I ate would be cashews, walnuts, almonds, pecans)
  • When I cut out processed foods and sugars I didn’t experience my daily crazy hungry/bored eating/food fascination that seems to occur daily between 2pm-5pm
  • I felt more satisfied and full from my snacks/meals even though I was consuming less calories overall
  • My bowel movements changed, becoming less frequent (only once daily) and more dense and very green! The same green as if I’d consumed that black cherry Icee at the movies
  • After two days I came to the conclusion that a vegetarian is simply a vegan who eats cheese. Cheese is delicious.
  • Did I miss meat? No, I was too busy enjoying delicious fruits and veggies.

Here is my calorie consumption chart for the week (I didn’t weigh my food for Saturday)

Budget  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Calories 1300 903 928.3 1279 1313.9 1108.8
Protein 137 40.4 36.94 57.2 48.7 38.51
Carbs 103 142 118.95 160.69 132.15 145.66
Sugar 25 42.3 30.58 34.37 58.2 99.92
Fats 46 41.82 41.25 63.74 129.24 55.92

Pictured below are a few meals I ate:

Left: Portabello mushroom with cheese and egg on a bed of spinach surrounded by strawberries

Middle: Watermelon salad with feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemon next to lemon sauteed asparagus (can you still call it a saute if you saute in water?)

Right: a picnic we brought to the park -to eat in our car- apples, watermelon, plums, Oreo, feta, mixed nuts, dried and salted beans

More detailed breakdown of consumption for days 1-5:

Day 1:

calories Protein Carbs Sugar fats
Smoothie 212 17.2 42.9 15.3 13.4
Snacks (1 fruit and nuts) 369 4.4 7.38 1.62 14.75
Lunch 213.8 8.54 20.22 5.11 12.9
Dinner 133.5 6.8 48.45 8.55 0.2

Day 2:

calories Protein Carbs Sugar fats
Smoothie 212 17.2 42.9 15.3 13.4
Snacks (1 fruit and nuts) 320 6.2 43.2 28.3 15.02
Lunch 236 9.5 54.6 7.6 0.7
Dinner 213.8 8.54 20.22 5.11 12.9

Day 3:

calories Protein Carbs Sugar fats
Smoothie 190 14.91 27.15 10.91 3.54
Snacks 540 12.7 66.2 14.8 30.84
Lunch 413.4 14.09 37.215 6.03 28.63
Dinner 136 15.5 30.12 2.63 0.73
1279 57.2 160.69 34.37 63.74

Day 4:

calories Protein Carbs Sugar fats
Breakfast: watermelon and feta 100.5 3.4 14.6 14.6 3
Breakfast: Nuts 211 5.6 7.1 1.5 22.44
Lunch salad: 567.4 36.3 53.4 11.8 86.7
Snack: watermelon rind salad 320 2.35 28.25 2 17
Snack: 1/2 plum 15 .25 4 3.5 .1
Snack: Candied watermelon 100 0.8 24.8 24.8 0
1313.9 48.7 132.15 58.2 129.24

Day 5:

calories Protein Carbs Sugar fats
Breakfast Smoothie 190 14.91 27.15 10.91 3.54
Snack: candied watermelon 200 1.6 49.6 49.6 0
Lunch watermelon salad 133 5.68 14.65 11.87 6.16
Snack: nuts 211 5.6 7.1 1.5 22.44
Lunch: Asparagus 99 4.9 9.0 3.9 7.2
Snack: 1/2 apple 78 .4 21 15 .3
Dinner: Salad 179.8 5.02 12.86 4.5 14.48
Dessert: Strawberry 18 .4 4.3 2.64 1.8
1108.8 38.51 145.66 99.92 55.92

 

Goals and Accomplishments from 2019 and Future Goals for 2020

by in Rachel Barnard and tagged , , , ,

Goals list of 2014
Goals list of 2015
Goals list of 2016
Goals list of 2017
Goals list of 2018

2020 Goals!!!

2020 Describe yourself in 3 words: Anxious, Quick, Analytic
2019 Describe yourself in 3 words: Driven, Efficient, Restless

2020 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Patience, Deliberate, Calm
2019 Describe what you want more of in 3 words: Calm, Accomplished, Considerate

Theme for 2020: Hygge (2019: Minimize)

 

2019 Goals:

  1. Nail the Divine intermediate inversions combo – I ran out of classes and decided to use my remaining passes to take daytime Boudouir classes because my body was ready for a slower-paced class. I really enjoyed Missy’s classes. 
  2. Learn hand balancing moves (specifically a hand stand) – I worry about overtaxing my wrists and haven’t worked specifically on accomplishing this goal this year. I did take a handstand workshop and a one-on-one class.
  3. Take more acro yoga classes – I took a few acro yoga classes at the beginning of the year but after crossing over the initial learning curve, the classes didn’t interest me as much as pole classes. 
  4. Learn to make fluffy gluten free bread – I have been exploring cooking more this year but have only made GF bread a few times. I would like to eventually learn all the secrets to a perfect loaf but may not put this specific goal back on my list.
  5. Finish my scrapbook – I’ve decided that I don’t need a scrapbook anymore and will continue to keep my electronic records.
  6. Finish my health book through 2018 – I have my complete health records up to this year and plan to make a short version to place in my Will vault prior to my birthday in January.
  7. Management/Kanban training – Sadly the training I was signed up for to start in January of 2020 was not funded. I will wait to see if the next session in the fall will be funded and continue to look for more training opportunities.
  8. Learn massage techniques – My SO bought me an all-day workshop at a local massage school and I loved it! 
  9. Dog sit/walk a corgi – I was able to walk two corgis this year.
  10. Goat/cat yoga – I didn’t get around to signing up for this class and probably won’t unless with my dance group due to the high price of the class.
  11. Volunteer at Thrill the World and perform for the 5th year! I knew I was going to check this off the list… 
  12. Learn Turkish (get through the 12 modules on my Rosetta Stone app) – I’m proud of this accomplishment. I have stuck with my casual and slow learning of Turkish all year. Am I fluent? Not even close. I will continue to work on my vocabulary and grammar next year.

 

Of my 12 goals for 2019, I can officially cross off 5 of them. As the year progressed my priorities changed. I no longer wish to work on some of these goals at all and I no longer wish to prioritize others. For my travel dreams (Corgi Con, Pole expo, Blind Café, Herb Farm or a Michelin-starred restaurant) I didn’t do any of them. One of these years Corgi Con won’t also fall on the same weekend as something else I plan to do. Pole expo is quite expensive and I would only go with one of my pole sisters. If my SO and I travel to another city with a Blind Cafe we might check it out. Herb Farm or Michelin-starred restaurant will wait until I have much more cash to throw away on an extravagantly-priced meal or if we happen to be close by and can snag a reservation to one of the infamous Michelin restaurants. 

 

2020 Goals:

Each month I have written an accountability and check in post
January 2019
February 2019
March 2019
April 2019
May 2019
June 2019
July 2019
August 2019
September 2019
October 2019
November 2019

I have broken out my goals into the following categories:

Fitness

I want to try out some small lifestyle change style challenges. I wanted to spend each month focusing on a different aspect of health and fitness. Here are my ideas so far: stretching every morning, increasing my water intake, cooking all my own food, reading more self-growth books, eating more veggies, biking/running, reducing my sugar intake. I very much enjoy the Blogilates challenges and may continue to use those challenges and/or the monthly calendar.

Finances

  1. Max out my Roth IRA, 401k and HSA contributions
  2. Build up my emergency savings to 6 months
  3. Save 50% of my income

Writing

  1. Deplete my physical book inventory
  2. Break even on Ataxia and At One’s Beast
  3. Revamp my website
  4. Write 4 short stories
  5. Send out 4 newsletters
  6. Publish a new coloring book

For January here are my specific goals:

Financial: Sign/notarize my will, finish adding beneficiaries to all my banking/investing accounts, choose and purchase disability insurance, finalize my automatic money flow, finish updating my death binder, connect all my sources of side income to my new business banking account, and go through my budget and spending for 2019 and work on my 2020 budget.

Fitness: 10 minutes of stretching every morning (splits stretching for beginners), work through the Blogilates January calendar to get more exercise daily

Writing: Run a book giveaway, send out a birthday wish to buy my print inventory (at a discount), pull At One’s Beast and Ataxia from everything but Amazon and then enroll in KDP select, add a purchasing print book option to my website, author tea date with two local authors, send out queries to previous reviewed authors for free print book, send newsletter as 2019 wrap up and 2020 look ahead, research possible new coloring book and cost, research writer’s conferences and costs for 2020, create Donuts Books marketing plan for 2020 in June, review at least one Indie book