My Financial Goals For 2009

In this post, I will be sharing my financial goals for 2009.

So, have you got your 2009 calendar ready on your table? If not yet, you still have about 3 more days to go to get your new calendar. Dave gave me a beautiful 2009 table calendar.

I noticed that this year, my family and I didn’t receive as many free calendars as compare to a few years back. Even, the company I work with also only provide calendars for selected corporate customers.

Since the global economy is still sinking and not stable, I guess everyone is trying to practise the cost-saving methods in every way of life.

As 2009 is approaching, it’s time for us to sit down and plan for the new year, 2009.

I know some of us might not favour this new year resolutions stuff but think of it positively. The plan itself will create a pathway for you and will make your journey much easier and meaningful.

Experts said it’ll be more effective if you write down your goals, rather than keeping it to yourself in your head.

Basically, writing it down makes us hold accountable for the promises we made to ourselves and thus encourage us to work towards our goals. I am glad to know that posting in a blog is also considered as writing it down.

My financial goals for 2009

So, here are my financial goals for 2009:

1. Increase my annual income by at least 10% (to be completed by December 2009)

For 2009, I want to increase my annual income by at least 10%.

2. Moving the money from my emergency account to fixed deposit accounts

I don’t want my emergency account to just sit in the saving account and earn very low interest. Moving the money to the fixed deposit accounts not only benefit me but also to the banks and society.

So that the money can be put into good use.

3. Invest in a new unit trust fund

This time, I want to invest in an equity fund. (to be completed by June 2009)

4. Continue to top up my existing unit trust funds (all year long)

As for my unit trust funds, I am planning to top up some of my existing unit trust funds. Provided the fund price is attractive and reasonable for me to pump in more money.

5. Keeping a separate file for each of my unit trust funds

Currently, all my unit trust funds details are in the same file. It’s time to separate them.

Separating them will make my fund monitoring easier.

6. Monitoring and top up my Public Bank Gold Investment Account

For next year, I am looking for an opportunity to top my Public Bank Gold Investment account. But, this also depends on the gold price.

7. Monitoring and review my insurance plan

Other than monitoring and reviewing my insurance plan, I am also considering the need to increase existing coverage or to purchase second insurance. (to be done by Sept 2008)

8. Terminating my unused credit cards

Other than terminating unused credit cards, I am also planning to concentrate on 1 credit card with another two as backups.

I must ensure that the active and backup credit cards are without the annual fee. (to be done by June 2009)

9. File and submit my income tax early

And for my income tax filing, I am planning to submit my income tax as early as possible. I don’t like to do things at the last minute.

10. Continue with my ‘fun saving’ account

My fun saving accounts keep all my fun expenses. This includes fun expenses for my family and for myself.

It feels great to be able to provide some fun money throughout the financial planning journey. Life can’t be serious all the time, right?

Final thoughts

I hope to be able to complete the above financial goals in 2009. And I am planning for a review of my 2009 financial goals by the middle of 2009.

And I am thankful to God for me to be able to meet most of my 2008 financial goals. The financial goal which was not in my 2008 financial goals was starting a blog on financial planning. I am really glad for this additional goal which I started in Oct 2008.

It’s making my life richer.

If you wish to set up your financial goals, make sure they are S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound).

Lastly, Have a happy and fruitful 2009!