2016 – thumbs up or down?

The year comes to an end. A week from now, it will be 2017 already. At the start of 2016, we started with some good itentions. How did we do?

2016 was a year where a lot of things happened.

• We gained new insights on what is important for us. This led to a change in our investment plan. We now put intentionnaly money aside for travel. We aim for 2 family vacations: a summer one and a ski holiday. In between we hope to have a few weekends away as well.
• I got 40. Bye bye FIRE in my thirties 🙂
• A new work challenge: I joined a startup and have no regrets!
• blogging allowed me to meet people in the community in real live. First in Budapest, then in Breda. Antwerp is next on Feb 4 2017! Let us know when you want to join.

Financial goals

1- Live below our means: Savings rate of 55pct (including mortgage repayment)

With our decision to put more money aside for travel and my new job that pays less, reaching the 55pct SR is no longer possible. To me, this is not a fail. It is an intentional decison that brings us closer to our ideal live, already today. For 2017, as we have a system in place, this does no longer need to be a goal. In the end, I prefer to be more present now and having a lot of experiences now, compared to an future promise. Afterall, I do not hate my job.

2- Net worth: amberindex of 27,6

At the end of November, we were exactly where we needed to be to reach our goal. I love it when a plan comes together.

3- Need for Speed income: aim for 1000 EUR

Trading option exceeded my expectations. By the summer, I was well positioned to reach 5-6K this year. Then I got greedy, stupid, stubborn, outright dumb – you name it. Good lessons. I am sitting on quite some paper loss in gold mine stock.

Despite that, I am well on track to reach 3K of profit from premium this year, and another 1K in dividends and trading income. That means a total of 4K. Money I earned extra.

 

 

Personal goals to evolve as a person

1- Run twice a week and try to run a race

After a great start of the year, I managed to run 10K. Rain, below 0 tempratures, wind, I ran 2/3 times per week. Until my knee got hurt. I had to stop. I will look for more medical support. I hope to continue soon.

On the other hand, I now bike to the train station almost every day. This is a 5KM one way exercice.

2- Read 3 personal development books

Big fail. I reached half a book. I guess I am not that much of a reading guy.

What is coming?

For 2017, I plan to keep trading options and generating extra income from that.

Inspired by some many other people out there, I also discussed with work a month of parental leave. That means I will be able to spend way more time with my family in 2017. That is an incredible thing to do. I am grateful that this is possble, both from a financial perspective as from work perspective. We will save less and we will gain so much in family interaction and relations. To me, that is the main goal for 2017!

Since the start of 2016, I kept track of an adjusted amberindex. More in line with our goals, vision and actual finances. I will start to use that one. The percenatge we are at will increase, the end date remains unchanged.

Happy 2017!