Financial goals 2015

Since I read Miriam Quiambao's Magic Jars, the way I saw money changed. I realized I can live the life I want within my salary range. The key is budgeting and patience. Deciding what is important and sticking within that budget and most importantly the patience to wait for months until I have enough money to purchase something I want.

Last year was my testing phase. Ingraining the habit of saving and testing the limits of my salary. The key word here is "limit". My salary reached the limit of what I need to spend in order to pursue life and my passions. So this year, one of my goals is to find a higher salary work. It's no longer a question of "living within your means", many times you must aim higher.

And so here are my lifetime financial goals based on the season of my life. Single life. Hurrah! (^_^)v

This 2015 I'm going to focus on these 5:

DNS. aka Do Not Spend. This is my emergency fund.
Artcafe. This is for my dream business.
Learning / Workshop / Travel. This will pay for my education, books and for local travel.
Major Travel. Fingers crossed for Cambodia and Singapore! ;)
Growth. I got this from the magic jar article. This is what I will use for investment.

How about you? What are your financial goals this year?

Other articles you might want to check out:
7 things 20-somethings should spend money on...
7 ways to grow as a person ...
7 habits of productive people to incorporate in your life...

5 things I'm going to do better in 2015

This is not my goals list yet, it's only a continuation of my 2014 life goals. A glimpse of a better 2015. Plus I love making lists. *haha*

1. Take better care of myself. I am turning 29 this year. I realized it's okay to spend money on makeup, skin care products etc. Seriously why have I only discovered milk baths now?? and hand soaps?? and hand creams??

Self love ❤️✌️; Day 6 #obsession #photoaday

A photo posted by heyladyspring (@heyladyspring) on Jan 6, 2015 at 3:39am PST

Well you get the picture. *haha* I don't even need to create a whole new budget for them. I just need to be a wise spender. That means sticking to my grocery list.

2. Invest on clothes. Yes even if it means being a little vain. I will not feel bad when I buy clothes. I am not going to use my clothes-fund on food. *haha*

Hihi thank you tax refund haha. #day2 #whatiwore #h&m #selflove

A photo posted by heyladyspring (@heyladyspring) on Jan 1, 2015 at 11:52pm PST

3. Clean my house everyday. I'm really lazy when it comes to tidying up my house. I end up on a general cleaning spree after 2 weeks because of accumulated dust and whatnot. Not only is it bad for my health, I noticed it also affects how I think and feel. A messy physical environment creates a messy mind!

4. Digest information from books, blogs and articles. I will be a reader this year. Less consumption of useless data.

Sunshine fills my room today...tomorrow seems a mellow haze... In the arms of another day. 🎶 Happy lazy Sunday 💐🐇 #grassresidence

A photo posted by heyladyspring (@heyladyspring) on Feb 2, 2013 at 12:12am PST

5. Spend 1 hour each day studying Nihongo. Since the Christmas holidays I have not lifted a single page from my Nihongo book. It's okay it's a time for fun and festivities but come January, I am going to start studying again. I don't want to be a mediocre language learner anymore. I am going to excel.

#INVESTinYOURSELF back to studying nihongo ばんざい!!!

A photo posted by heyladyspring (@heyladyspring) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:54pm PST

6. Move. Never stop moving. Travel! Never stop exploring. Art! Never stop learning. Read and study! Invest in yourself. Join Workshops!

Slowly filling it in... #goals2015 #planner #plannerph (^-^)v

A photo posted by heyladyspring (@heyladyspring) on Dec 12, 2014 at 11:14pm PST

My 2013 LIFE list

I have always believed in the beauty and power of words, more so now after the struggles I went through in 2012. I am truly happy and hopeful as the new year begins. (^-^)/

edited: February 09, 2013

Live

• follow the concept of Magic Jars by Miriam Quiambao
• find new sources of income
• reach my weight goal, 5 kg to go! :)
• widen my circle of friends (craft, running & travel buddies)
• invest on clothes (haha!)

Move

• visit 5 new places in the Philippines and at least 1 overseas
• join fun runs / improve my running distance and speed

Create

• make time for crafting
• practice ALL my craft hobbies
• use the craft materials I acquire
• join more handmade mail swaps
• learn and practice a new craft

Learn

• read 1 book per week
• join craft workshops
• learn to cook
• learn to play badminton
• learn swimming techniques

Let's all fulfill our dreams this 2013. :)

2012 August goals

I wrote this at the beginning of the month but only posted it now. I prefer it this way though, cause I already have some goals ticked off. *yey for productivity*

This is the first time I feel confident that I can complete my goals. I'm overflowing with energy. *haha* So yeah most of these are from last month's list. I queued 2 weeks worth of posts so I'm going to semi-unplug from the internet and hopefully get these done! (o^-‘)b

My google reader will probably explode though :/ It's already past the 1k mark :3

Oh and HeyLadySpring is on facebook. I'm spamming there lately :3 hehe

 Create

• Bunting project. [Done! Will blog about it soon.]
• Typography throw pillow case. FAIL!

Move

• Tourist mode in QC. [Mezza Norte, Cubao Expo, ......]
• Watch a UAAP game [Go USTE!~ bwahaha]
• Start jogging again. FAIL!

Inspire

• Read 5 books [Only read 4 books! huk!~]
• Watch 2 movies. [Linda Linda Linda & Solanin]

Live

• Dress better. [haha wala kasing kerr]
• Semi-Unplug from the internet. [relapsed a bit haha!]

Read my previous goals.

ends August 27! Join Join~

How I plan to be a productive reader

So it's August and I have only read 1 book since January. I'm distracted by my blog, reading emails, twitter, blogs etc,. I'm subscribed to over a 100 blogs on my google reader. I still have a thousand updates left unread. Fact is I can't stay away from the internet.

Now I'm not saying reading blogs are a waste. I'm a visual learner so I enjoy looking at photographs made by different people across the globe. I love following artists and their creative process. I love listening to snippets of my favorite musician's new songs. I love the instant feed of various bits of information. I learn about a lot of things in a speed of light.

This unfortunately resulted in my inability to process information slowly. I get bored easily when I'm reading. I can't sit still for an hour to read a book anymore (my longest time is 20-30mins) :/ I can't focus on one subject at a time. I get agitated when I'm left with my own thoughts. I always have music or Harry Potter audiobooks blaring because I hate the silence.

This situation calls for drastic measures. Since I can't completely detach myself from the internet, I will have to be a more aggressive reader. Balance it out a bit.

I found this poster on pinterest. I've stared at it for a few months now. I finally decided to post it.

This is how I plan to be a productive reader:

• Read 1 book per week
• Read minimum of 60 pages per day
• Bring a book everywhere (esp. at the bank)

Extreme? Yeah it is. I lost all my reading habits since I got out of college. I thought yey I'm free from all these studying *chucks notebooks across the room*. Not knowing that a good ole routine is much healthier for the mind.

links: photo © analog soul • How to read a book a week

Also my giveaway is till open!~ Join join join!

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