Happy New Year! Today I’m sharing my goals for the new year! I’m hoping to accomplish a few big things in 2018, most surrounding our awesome new family addition since that’s going to be the biggest accomplishment / life change / big event, possibly ever.
If you don’t want to watch the video, here are my goals! As stated before, it’s definitely centered around baby stuff.
2018 Family Goals
Goal: Have a heathy, happy baby!
Having a baby in a few months is a huge event in life and one of the most exciting things that will happen this year. I’m not even sure if it’s really a goal but the goal is to stay as healthy and happy as possible while doing it. To take care of myself before birth and after. To make sure I transition as well as possible to motherhood. There is so much I still don’t know and won’t know about this until it happens but I’m looking forward to accomplishing this goal. Here’s to a happy and healthy baby and momma!
2018 Financial Goals
Goal: Save money for baby arrival.
I’ve calculated roughly what I need to save to pay my deductible and the average amount for the co-insurance I have for a baby’s birth. I checked with my insurance and people I work with to come up with this estimate and feel confident about having it saved up to pay the medical bills associated with birth. I know hospitals will work with you and do payment plans but I just prefer to save this up before hand.
Goal: Save an emergency fund.
Last year I focused on debt and paid off my car loan so in 2018 it is all about saving money. In addition to saving up the amount we need for a baby we want to re-establish a stronger emergency fund. I’m aiming for about $10,000 right now and will adjust as needed once we get there and see how it feels. The goal is just to have enough for basic expenses like our mortgage, utilities, food, etc.
2018 YouTube Goals
Goal: Make $600 per month on Youtube with consistent video production.
I’ve really enjoyed making videos over the last year or so and want to get more consistent with that process. Since I work at a company centered around video and photo equipment it’s also a great chance for me to learn more related to my day job. For 2018 I’d like to make consistent videos each week and slowly grow the amount of ad revenue I earn. The goal is to make enough to cover our monthly part-time daycare expenses. But the real goal? To keep learning and growing some skills! Let me know if there are any specific videos you would like to see.
Those are my goals for 2018! It’s going to be an interesting and life-changing year!
Congratulations, Mary! Sending you good energy and many happy wishes!
Thanks Suzanne! Happy new year!
We have paid our portion of medical expenses in full, immediately and received deep discounts from hospitals. The first time I did this, I went to the cashier in person. One facility in our area has two totals on the bill, discounted total with quick remittance and regular total with date that is further out. You might want to ask about this.
You also might want to ask what hospital freebies are not actually free, but are added to your bill. And check your bill carefully to make sure you actually received each service.
This is all great advice! I was hoping our hospital would offer some sort of “cash discount” for our portion so that is the main reason we started saving up cash. Luckily we are about 75% of the way there with that savings goal so we should be there or a bit overfunded by April. I’ll definitely check about the different totals and “freebies” so we don’t get any surprises. It’s a different hospital than I was expecting to deliver at because my insurance changed hospital contracts on Jan 1, so I have a bit of research to do.
Those are really smart and attainable goals! 2018 is going to be a life changing year for you!
Planning on motherhood is a great goal in itself but I love that you are realistic about what you need financially for your family. I probably found out I was pregnant at the worst time (unemployed yikes!) and I feel like I’m still working my way out of the debt that I charged up to have my little one. Being ready for it upfront is the best!
I’ll make sure to subscribed to your youtube channel. I’ll gladly help you get those funds for childcare.