2012 Goals
Posted on December 28, 2011 in annual goals
I am really excited for 2012. My life has changed so much over the past 12 months, and I am really looking forward to the next 12 months because I think it’s going to be the most challenging year of my life.
This is my opportunity for a brand new start. I have so much that I want to accomplish, and I know that if I work hard and put my mind to it, I can do it all – and maybe even surprise myself along the way. :)
Financial
- Earn $70,000. As I embark on my journey as a full-time freelancer, this will be my only financial goal for 2012. I just don’t know what to expect, or if this is even a realistic goal. But since all of my other financial goals hinge on how much money I can earn, I don’t think there’s any sense in creating more specific goals. This will probably be my biggest personal finance challenge ever.
Personal
- Travel. Being based out of Europe for 7 months out of the year will help me achieve this goal. :) Countries on our “must see” list are Germany (obviously), Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Belgium, Italy, and Luxembourg. I also want to see Slovenia, Denmark, Greece, and I want to get to Iceland. But I somehow doubt that’ll happen. There are just too many places to see in such little time, and with a limited budget. Back in North America, I want to get to Toronto (for the 2012 Canadian Personal Finance Conference), and to wherever the Financial Blogger Conference is going to be held. So, a lot of traveling this year. On a potentially tight budget.
- Go on a trip by myself. I would like to accomplish this in Europe. There are a few places on my list that I know Nic doesn’t want to see. Perhaps I can work up the courage to go by myself.
- Learn basic German and French. I don’t know any German, and the last time I spoke any French was in high school. Since I’ll be living in Germany, I really want to learn how to have more than just a basic conversation with someone. And since my boyfriend is French, I want to at least learn how to read it (so I don’t have to rely on Google Translate to help me figure out what he’s saying on Facebook all the time!). And have a simple conversation without being laughed at because I can’t pronounce anything properly. :)
- Read 12 novels not related to marketing or personal finance. I think I might burn out if I spend my leisure time reading up about job-related material. Even though I like reading about marketing/PF/social media, I think I will be a more effective worker if I step away and try to clear my head by reading completely different stuff.
Professional
- 2012 Canadian Personal Finance Conference. This is turning into a bigger event than both Preet and I could have ever imagined, and I am really, really excited to be a part of it. To finally have all of Canada’s top personal finance names under one roof, sharing ideas … well, it’s going to be an incredible experience for sure.
- 2012 Financial Blogger Conference. I am looking forward to this year’s event, and getting to meet people I didn’t get a chance to meet last year.
- Write one guest post each month on another blog. I’ve never written guest posts before, but I want to try to write on blogs that will help me grow my reach. So, basically blogs that are more popular than mine, or ones that don’t necessarily fall within the personal finance niche.
- Take all of my own photographs. This has been one of my goals for a long time now. Because in theory, I will have more time to myself this year, I feel like I’ll have more of a chance to be creative.
- Post a new photo every day via Tumblr. Since I didn’t think you guys would want to be bombarded by a million photos of Europe while I’m gone, I decided to create a Tumblr account instead (follow me!). My goal is to post at least one new photo every day for all of 2012.
- Take on three steady freelance assignments. Right now I have two steady assignments. I think adding one more steady stream of income will help me feel more secure as a freelancer. It doesn’t have to be writing – it can be graphic design, marketing, social media – I’m open to pretty much everything.
27 Responses to “2012 Goals”
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Traveling by yourself is one of the best things ever! I used to do it quite a bit before my boyfriend and I got together, but I still do it whenever I can. I went to Colorado by myself earlier this year, which was beautiful, and am planning on a month-long trip without the boy in 2015. It’s nice to be on your own schedule and not have to worry about someone else’s agenda. You are in the charge of your travel destiny! (Dork-sounding, but so true!)
P.S. And I think you should somehow squeak your way to Iceland because I want to go there badly and then I can live vicariously through you until I get there myself. :o)
Brittany´s latest post —> People With eReaders, I Have A Question For You!
Great goals! I’m still super jealous of course that you are doing this.
Michelle´s latest post —> What do you wish you would’ve done differently in 2011?
Krystle!
Travel by yourself in Europe. I’ve done it and lived alone there before. It’s easy and safe (you know, just as much as Vancouver or Toronto are). And Germans are unbelievably friendly and welcoming. They’ll be so honoured that you’re trying to learn their language that they’ll enjoy practicing with you. The difficult part of that is that their ‘practicing’ level of English is just as good as yours! Most speak excellent English so you really have to push yourself to speak German.
Good luck!
Ashley´s latest post —> Happy Everything. Merry Always.
good luck with your travels!
go visit prague if you can, one of my favorite cities and I did it on my own for 2.5 days (that’s pretty much all you need).
in terms of traveling on the cheap – book hostels. It’s so much different in europe, and some of the hostels are quite lovely. You end up meeting new people from all around the world!
Try HostelBookers, or Hostelworld. always check both for reviews along with trip advisor.
For greece – go in the summer as that is when the ferries are running between the islands. Book in advance so you get cheaper tickets. (but greece is a bit expensive to island hop).
perhaps look into a euro-rail-pass? or ryanair is a great discount airline.
lastly – pick up a good backpack. easier to check in/carry on and travel around europe. ziplock bags are your best friend, and get the vacuum sealed travel bags that compress your clothing so you can pack more efficiently and effectively.
looking forward to reading your adventures on twitter, moneyville.ca and your blog!
best of luck in 2012!
Elynn´s latest post —> Welcome!
Excellent list. I’ve prepared one myself for this year and it’s nice to see my efforts have paid off. I have more stuff to do on 2012 and hope in 12 months I’ll achieve my goals.
Best of luck with yours :)
dojo´s latest post —> p1180558
Great list… very ambitious but very realistic; if you do travel alone, please blog about it! I have been wanting to do this for some time, but am not quite to a financial point where I can. Happy New Year!
I like your list of places on the Must See list, and you should definitely make those a priority even if it means tightening your budget. This might be your best chance ever at getting to so many of these places! You’ll have short flights or train rides instead of trans-Atlantic flights, so that should be a money saver.
Jeffrey Trull´s latest post —> Is College Still Worth It?
You’ll have to let us know which novels you decide to read! I’m always interested in other PF bloggers’ reading habits.
Also, if you have a chance, you should check out Krakow. It’s a beautiful city; I loved the time I spent there.
Bryan at Pinch that Penny!´s latest post —> 2012 Financial Goals
Great goals! And “My Life in Pixels” for your tumblr account is the best name ever. I’m really wishing I had it!
American Debt Project´s latest post —> Goals and Resolutions for 2012
Thanks! :) I’m really excited for the tumblr project.
Good luck with your travels! :)
Great goals! Love your tumbir account!
Money Pincher´s latest post —> My 2011 Review & My Mom’s Gift
@Money Pincher: I was going to ask what camera do you use :P
Money Pincher´s latest post —> My 2011 Review & My Mom’s Gift
I use the Canon G-10. It’s not a digital-SLR but it’s a great camera, and small enough that I can carry it around in my purse. :)
Great goals Krystal!
You should be very excited for 2012!
Looking forward to meeting you at 2012 CPFC in Toronto. Should be awesome. I just hope my wife doesn’t shop all the time, while I’m at the conference ;)
Have a very Happy New Year and chat more in 2012.
Mark
My Own Advisor´s latest post —> Think about making a “Stop Doing” list for 2012
$70,000 is a very ambitious goal, yet I feel that is doable for you. If you make it out to Spain this year- make sure you visit Seville. It is one of the most underrated, but beautiful places in Europe.
Marissa´s latest post —> Ways to save money online shopping
Thanks! :) It is definitely ambitious, and it’s really scary, but I’m prepared to work hard.
Double thanks for the Seville tip. I’m hoping we make it over to Spain at some point!
[...] from Give Me Back my Five Bucks shares her 2012 goals as she embarks on [...]
Great stuff. I’m taking extended time off this year myself and can’t wait, so our paths may cross on the Eurail trail! If you really want to fit in Iceland you can travel to Toronto from the UK or mainland Yurp via a day or two’s stopover in Rejkavik, on Iceland Air or whatever they’re called. I did it a while back.
The Olympics and the European (football) Championships are on this summer so there are once in a lifetime chances to hop from one major sporting event to another if you’re a fan. Personally I’m attending both as well as the Galway Races. I think you mentioned you play hockey – the hockey tickets are relatively easy to get for the Olympics, I have a couple :)
I know your list is already long, but I have to recommend Norway (based on my limited europe experience). The highlight of my whole vacation was hiking on the folgefonna glacier (and this was really cheap too), but Preikestolen looked awesome too (didn’t have time). Tons of hiking & you can camp (if you have gear) for relatively cheap.
But Sweden was lovely too, and probably has similar nature. I’m thinking I’ll be in switzerland in early september – will you be around?
Also, good luck on all the other goals! Looking forward to following your 2012
SP´s latest post —> 2012 Travel Plans
Yes, I would love to check out Norway. So many places to see! :)
We have to be back in Vancouver for the beginning of September so Nic can finish off his last semester. So I guess we will just miss you! :( But we’ll be headed to Switzerland in March. How long of a trip will you be taking?
FinCon ’12 is in Denver this year September 6-9th! (super excited). Enjoy your travels & new living situations!!! (And good luck on your goals)
BudgetorFudget´s latest post —> Ten for Twelve: 2012 Goals
Great goals, Krystal! :)
Hey, you can start off by guest posting on my site if you want!
Have a great time on Montreal and eat lots of poutine for me :)
It was great meeting you and hopefully see you again sometime soon.
youngandthrifty´s latest post —> Weekend Ramblings and PF Blog Love: It’s Viral Edition
Oops, meant “in” montreal. I got this new gel cover for my keyboard and typing has been exponentially more cumbersome.
anyway, happy new year!
youngandthrifty´s latest post —> Weekend Ramblings and PF Blog Love: It’s Viral Edition
[...] one new steady freelancing client. One of my goals for 2012 is to take on a third steady freelance job. I would like four, but will be happy with getting [...]
[...] at Give Me Back My 5 Bucks lists her goals for 2012, which include traveling solo in [...]
Best of luck with your goals especially the freelancing.
I will always welcome a guest post from you so feel free to send one over to my site.
Montreal is such a fun city. I am sure you are going to have a blast.
Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter´s latest post —> Is Travelling Overrated?
[...] one new steady freelancing client. CHECK! One of my goals for 2012 was to take on a third steady freelance job, and I’m happy to say that I have. Although the [...]