We’re coming to the end of the year and now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over, it’s time to reflect on this year. How was your year? Did you achieve what you wanted? Close; Do you still have things you wanted to do or do? It is OK; not everyone always achieves their goals for the new year. If you only managed one or two, that’s great.
If you didn’t manage any, that’s okay too. Remember, plans are different for everyone, and sometimes they change, and that’s okay. Sometimes we have grand plans and something goes wrong or fails. What we must remember is that every day is new and we can try again, again and again, as many times as necessary. Plans are flexible like that, and that can be a blessing.
Now is the time to sit down as a couple and make plans for the new year. Setting goals as a couple and individually is key to keeping both of you moving forward. Here are some ways you can plan for the new year and get the ball rolling.
Financial Goals
Photo: ©GettyImages/Delmaine Donson
Sit down together and talk about your financial goals for the coming year. Take stock of what went wrong and what went right this year and how you can make changes. Once you’ve decided what you want to change, think of a plan to make it happen. Here are some examples.
Goal: Get out of debt.
What went right or wrong this year: Too many expenses.
Action Plan:
– Cut costs.
-Take a class or read a book to get out of debt.
-Make a budget together and either track it on paper or use a budget app.
– Commit to having budget committee meetings together at least twice a month so you both know what’s going well, what’s working, and what’s not.
Goal: Make more money.
What went right or wrong this year: We managed to pay all the bills. Even though both people are working and paying the bills, we have nothing left to save.
Action Plan:
-Look for jobs that make more money and apply.
-Start a side business.
-Pick up some gig (DoorDash, Rover, Instacart, etc.)
-Pick up some freelance work (write, sell your talents on Fiverr or Upwork, etc.)
-Find a remote job that pays more than what you are doing now.
Keep in mind that this goal will look different for everyone, but there are many options for earning extra money in your spare time. These are just a few suggestions to get the ball rolling.
Health Goals
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd
A healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, so you may have some health goals in mind. This can be anything from health insurance to weight loss to controlling your diet due to a recent health diagnosis.
Goal: Get health insurance.
What went right or wrong last year: You didn’t have health insurance.
Action Plan:
-Call an insurance agent and talk about options
– Decide on a plan
-Register
When I was looking for health insurance years ago, I went to Dave Ramsey’s website and found our local ELP Health Insurance, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Shopping for insurance is overwhelming and confusing for the average consumer.
Our ELP did all the shopping for us and then sent over the designs he found and we’ll decide. Unfortunately, we moved and he was not licensed in our new state, so now I have to look for a new person.
I am losing weight
Goal: Lose weight
What went right and wrong last year: You started walking every day. However, there was too much temptation at home when it came to junk food and soda.
Action Plan:
-Decide how much weight you want to lose. Don’t be vague.
-Pick an exercise program to start with and set a small goal, say 2-3 days a week.
-Clean up all the junk food and drinks in your house.
-Research healthier options for the things you crave.
-Encourage each other on your journey.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/SeventyFour
Spiritual Goals
Maybe your spiritual life is not where you want it to be. Some goals in this area would be spending time in God’s Word daily, praying more, or going to church more often.
Goal: Spend more time in Word.
What went wrong and what went right last year: You set aside some time to devote to God’s Word at least once or twice a week. The problem was that you weren’t as consistent as you’d like to be.
Action Plan:
-Set a specific time of day for a specific amount of time reading the Bible
-Find a comfortable place to sit. Some people sit at the kitchen table, some sit on their back porch, and some curl up in their favorite chair.
-Do not bother. I think this is so easy to do. There is so much to read and learn from that you don’t know where to start, so you don’t start at all.
-Choose a cult to help you get started. I find this very helpful. Read the passage for the day and then read the chapter from which the passage comes.
-Use the buddy system. Your schedules may be so erratic that you can’t study the Bible together, and that’s okay. Each of you should find a study buddy to keep each other accountable. Reach out to a friend, pick a book of the Bible to study, and discuss it together.
Goal: To pray more
What went right or wrong last year: You only prayed when you needed something.
Action Plan:
-Write down what you need prayer for and even what your friends need prayer for.
-Thank the Lord for all He has done for you before you begin to pray.
-Go boldly before him and ask for what you want or need according to his will.
-Look for small pockets of time to pray: In the shower, at the bus stop, in the parent pick-up line at school, etc.
-Make it easy: If you haven’t seen the movie War Room, it will definitely light a fire in your prayer life. Years ago, I took a page from this movie, got a big bulletin board and put it in my closet. In this table, I add prayers for me and all my friends so that I don’t forget anything. Some prayers are on index cards, while others are typed and printed on paper.
Every day at a certain time, I go inside, close the door and pray. I usually change my prayers with the seasons and ask my friends what they need at that time. One thing I haven’t added that I want is an “answers to prayer” card to help me keep track of what has been answered and what still needs prayer. Sometimes, when several months pass between talking to my long-distance friends, prayers are answered and I don’t know it.
Family Goals
Now is the time to plan home goals like re-landscaping, repainting and remodeling. Since everyone’s goals in this area are different, I’ll just add an action plan.
Action Plan:
-Decide if you are going to DIY or hire someone
-Research contractors and prices or research how much x project will be to do it yourself
-If the goal is farther into the year, start saving money
-Close your contractor on time.
Fun goals
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Ippei Naoi
These are the best goals to have and are always fun, like a dream vacation, buying something expensive, or taking the kids somewhere special. Once again, I’ll add a general action plan for this.
Action Plan:
-Decide on the goal and write down when you want to achieve it.
-Research the cost
-Write down what you need to do each day, week and month to achieve it
-Book those tickets, test drive some cars or book the kid’s cruise
-Make a packing plan if you are going somewhere
-Go have fun!
There are all kinds of goals you can set together and individually, and now is the time to start thinking and planning before the new year rolls around.
No matter what happens, don’t compare yourself to anyone else on the journey to your goal. It is your journey and you will get there on time. If you’re on track, great. If you’re not, don’t worry. the journey is yours and you will get there. More than anything, go for it and have fun!
Photo: ©Getty Images/Fabio Camandona
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