She Strengthens

As I approach the final stretch of my 24th year, I’m taking stock of my accomplishments and setting my sights on new goals. Birthdays offer a natural opportunity for reflection and reset, and I’m grateful for the chance to assess my progress and look ahead.

A Year of Growth

This past year has been filled with milestones, from taking exciting trips to hitting important financial targets. I’ve started contributing to an IRA, established an emergency fund, and even ventured into online dating, which led to a fulfilling relationship and a newfound love for cats. Most notably, I began working for a website that aligns with my passions, a career move that has brought me joy and fulfillment.

Room for Improvement

Despite these accomplishments, I recognize areas where I can improve. My financial situation isn’t where I’d like it to be, and I know I need to work on setting realistic goals and taking control of my finances. I’m not alone in this struggle, and I believe that sharing our goals and reading those of others can help us determine where we want to be.

Setting Goals for 25

As I enter this new chapter, I’ve set 25 goals for myself, ranging from small habits to larger aspirations. Here are a few:

• Automate my IRA contributions to ensure I’m consistently saving for retirement.
• Make the most of my coffee shop habit by using my punch cards and cutting back on unnecessary expenses.
• Drink less and allocate that budget towards more meaningful experiences.
• Simplify my side hustles to reduce stress and increase productivity.
• Max out my IRA contributions to prioritize my financial future.
• Plan a big trip to explore new destinations and broaden my horizons.
• Cook more, order less to save money and develop healthier habits.
• Invest in quality items that will bring me joy and value in the long run.
• Continue making my bed every day to maintain a tidy and productive workspace.
• Minimize my grocery budget to allocate funds towards more enjoyable activities.
• Make room for luxuries I care about, such as Broadway shows and dance classes.
• Develop an at-home fitness routine to save money and prioritize my health.
• Pay off my credit card debt and break free from financial burdens.
• Save my “savings” by depositing them into my savings account.
• Revisit old hobbies to nurture my creative side and find joy in simple activities.
• Start volunteering again to give back to my community and meet like-minded individuals.
• Cut out unnecessary subscriptions to allocate funds towards more meaningful experiences.
• Build up emergency savings to ensure financial stability and peace of mind.
• Open a higher-yield savings account to maximize my savings.
• Learn a new skill to increase my earning potential and stay competitive.
• Clean out everything to declutter my living space and simplify my life.
• Increase my monthly donations to support causes I care about.
• Invest in something I believe in to align my values with my financial decisions.

These goals may seem ambitious, but I believe that writing them down and sharing them with others is the first step towards making them a reality. Here’s to a year of growth, learning, and progress!