Don’t Make a New Year’s Resolution, Start a Plan

Financial Planning
11

One of my proudest accomplishments is being able to finish our basement with my own hands. It now comes with a full bath, laundry room, home theater, and a mini gym. I did most of the labor myself, including the electrical and plumbing, working mostly weekends with occasional help from my teenage son and a “not-so-handy” handyman. Before this undertaking, the only home improvement that I’ve done was painting a wall.

Since I knew nothing about home renovations, I relied mostly on watching YouTube videos before performing a task. It took me two years from conception to realization, but it was all worth it as I’ve acquired all the necessary skills needed to become a badass DIY homeowner. Even though halfway through the electrical project, I became too confident and almost got electrocuted.

I did know C.A.D. (Computer-Aided Design), as I’ve learned from my brothers, who were experts in the field. So every nook and cranny was modeled in 3D before I started hitting the first nail with a hammer.

diyplan1after

Had I not started a detailed plan, I would not have finished the project. The same is true had I been electrocuted, but that is another story.

Whether it’s for losing weight or growing your net worth, you too can benefit from creating a plan. Writing a detailed plan is way better than merely making a New Year’s resolution. And there’s no better time to do it than at the start of the year.

Setting a smart plan

I’ve always been a huge believer in the value of planning. It reduces risk, increases efficiency, and helps achieve objectives. You can list down your needs or wants in practical terms and then evaluate what it will take to satisfy them. Creating a specific plan will give you a better chance of meeting those goals.

When it comes to goals, make sure it’s S.M.A.R.T.— I named this blog “Millionaire Before 50” because it’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-based. Becoming a millionaire by age 50 is a realistic and achievable goal for most people.

For example, my short-term financial goal is to reduce our spending by 10% by the end of 2021. I know it’s achievable because I kept track of our expenses last year.

The next step is to list down a plan to meet that specific goal. For example:

  • Replace all incandescent light bulbs with LEDs to conserve energy
  • Start buying grocery items in bulk. Buy the store brand.
  • Cancel cable subscription
  • Switch to a low-cost auto insurance provider

 
It’s also important to set a deadline for each action item when applicable. That way, the plan is more tangible and not a mere wish list.

diyplan2after
Our modest deck

Sticking to the plan

Having specific goals doesn’t necessarily mean one is committed to achieving them. Most of us want to become wealthy, but only a few spend the time, energy, or effort required to realize this goal. Even the best financial plans are ineffective if you don’t follow them.

Motivation alone is not enough. It’s usually short-lived and doesn’t always lead to consistent action. 

A detailed blueprint that tells you how and when you’re going to execute them should help you focus and stick to your plan and ultimately achieve your goals.

Plan execution

Being able to follow a plan is one thing; being able to execute correctly is another. Follow best practices instead of listening to your broke brother-in-law or co-worker. Learn the habits of wealthy people instead.

Build your competence, read books from reliable sources, and learn more about investing and personal finance. Understand the difference between a mutual fund and an ETF, for example.

The “not-so-handy” handyman that I hired to help me finish my basement was incompetent. I asked him to construct a door frame with a standard height of 6’9″. I came home that night shocked to see a midget 69″ door frame instead.

More so, he didn’t lay the studs in the exact position I had in my blueprint. It was off by many inches despite my meticulous planning— I had to tear it down. I ended up completing the rest of the project myself.

Plan adjustment

Mike Tyson once said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Know when to reset your course when the thing that we call life hits you: a new baby, a disastrous divorce, a job loss, or any other life-changing event that can take you on an unexpected personal or financial detour. You may need to re-evaluate both your goals and your plans for achieving them.

Investing takes time— you have to be committed and vigilant in adhering to your plan. And if you get sidetracked by a life event, chances are you can recover from it.

Start a plan, not a resolution this coming new year.

Planned backyard half-court for the kids

I LOVE it… Don’t make resolutions, make goals. Resolutions are usually forgotten in the first 20 days of the years. But goals, goals are powerful.

P.S.
I LOLed louder than I should after I read about 69″ door 🙂

Wow you did that housework by yourself? Amazing and saves money too I hear construction work is expensive there

Yes, but it took me a lot of time. Cost of labor is at a premium here in the states. The bright side is that quality construction tools and materials are relatively cheap. The cool weather is also conducive to construction work 🙂

Hello,

Happy New Year 🙂

I plan to do a post on FI and FIRE bloggers net worths’ (a la JMoney aka J$), and I have his blessing.

Would you like to be included? If so, I’d be happy to include your net worth number of $1,801,401 and link to post:
https://www.millionairebefore50.com/2020/09/net-worth-update-four-years-later.html/ (I would also note this is as of Sept 5, 2020)

Alternatively, I could include your net worth number of $2,205,887 and link to the following site:
https://www.networthshare.com/user/MillionaireBefore50/2020/12 (Noting this is current as of Dec 2020)

If you have a specific link you want me to link, please include it!

Thank you,
Into the FIRE

11 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Dave Ramsey is Right: Payoff Your Stupid Debt Instead of Chasing that 401(k) Match
Financial Planning
Dave Ramsey is Right. Pay Off that Stupid Debt Before Chasing that 401(k) Match

When it comes to paying off debt, there’s only one name that comes to mind: Dave Ramsey. For decades, he has taught millions of people through his podcast and radio show, a process for getting out of debt and building wealth, which he calls the “Baby Steps.” He has helped …

FIRE Calculator
Financial Planning
Introducing… MB50 Financial Independence Calculator

How can you tell if you’re Financially Independent? There are a lot of misconceptions about this subject. Your 21-year-old who left the house for good is nowhere near F.I.— He simply transferred his dependence from you to his employer. Being a multi-millionaire won’t necessarily make you financially independent either. Financially …

Net worth update
Financial Planning
Net Worth Update: Seven Years Later

Seven years ago, in August, I launched this blog with a net worth shy of $1M. On Labor Day the following year, I posted our very first net worth update. I thought sharing our net worth was a motivational boost to myself and other financial voyeurs who are on a …