After my entry on the importance of setting goals, I’m going to throw my own goals out here in the public domain. Partly to serve as an example, partly to try and make me stick to them. I’ve omitted stuff like ‘buy a new 12″ MacBook’ (whenever they finally appear), ‘cos it’s not really a goal.

Short-Term Goals (Anything Within 12 Months)

1. Pay off last of the Visa bill within 6 months - By the end of the year I must be debt free. I’ve been too long with credit card bills hanging around my neck. Cost: £1200
2. Redecorate the inside and maintain the outside of our house - I didn’t get to do anything to the house last summer because I was in hospital. This year I want to make up for it. Cost: £600 (approx)
3. Not have to Pay for Christmas with a Credit Card - Kinda linked to goal one, it would be great if we didn’t have to put Christmas on plastic and then spend the first few months of the year paying it off. Cost: £300-500

Longer-Term Goals

1. Start My Own Business - Financial Independence is about being able to make lifestyle choices which leave you happier. Being my own boss is such a choice for me. Cost: Not Sure Yet
2. Be Mortgage Free By 45 - Whether it’s in this house or another, bigger, better house, I’d like to be mortgage free in 22 years. Cost: £76,500 (Based on current Mortgage)
3. Spend a Year Abroad - I’ve been outside the UK a total of four weeks in my life. I’d love to be able to take a year out with my family and go visit other places. Cost: Probably about £40,000

Why don’t you share some of your goals with other readers? Making them public might encourage you to keep to them. Whatever your goals are, good luck with them!