End of Year Update and Looking Ahead

I’ve recently come back from my trip to LA and found myself with the plague. My boyfriend gave it to me. Thanks, honey! But I’m finally getting better and feeling better.

The holiday was so lovely and will make me think twice about going another 4 years before I go home for Christmas. It was so nice to catch up with family and friends, and just be. I took a technology detox, which was also nice. I work in front of a computer all day and blogging requires more screen time as well, so it was nice to rest my mind and my eyes.

Then I got sick with something that overtook my nose, throat and lungs. Not cute, and not fun. I pretty much spent New Year’s eve in bed. But, I’m feeling somewhat alive today and drinking some tea at a café. I dream of a day where I can hang out in cafés, drink tea and write. It’s nice to do that today and reconnect with you all.

2013 was a pretty great year, and a life-changing year as well.

The highlights:

• Started a blog, which has really helped me in the debt payoff process.

• Found a full-time job after searching for 2 years. I graduated with my M.A. in May 2011, so it was a long time coming. I had worked seasonal jobs, but nothing stable and nothing with benefits.

• Learned new skills: Twitter, Prezi, InDesign, Photoshop, HTML, various CRM’s and CMS’. I’m still not an expert in any of them, but I know a whole lot more than I did last year.

• Took my first (free) dance class, Danzon, a couples dance that originated in Cuba. I’ve always loved dancing for fun, but never took anything formal.

• Became a biker. I never thought I could actually do it, but now I really enjoy it and it’s my preferred mode of transportation.

• I learned to meditate and stress less. This is still a work in progress, but I’ve improved.

• Paid off $16,660.29 in debt while not even making double that (after taxes) this year.

• Had fun adventures in San Francisco, LA, Seattle, Silver Falls, and Reykjavik. I’m definitely not one of those bloggers that is not going to travel until I’m debt free. I know if I didn’t travel I could be debt free sooner, but my trips are always done on the cheap. And they make me less of a miserable person.

2013 was the Year of Being Uncomfortable.

Now that I’ve tried some new things,  and have become more stable, I’d like 2014 to be the Year of Refinement. I want to work smarter, have more fun, refine my skills and passions and really be who I want to be, not who I should be or what people think I am.

My goals for 2014:

•  Pay at least $1300 per month towards debt, but hopefully more.

• Make $400 per month in side hustle income.

• Get back into meditation and yoga, 2x per week.

• Read one book per month. I’ve been terrible at this and spent too much time in front of a screen in 2013. I want to change this.

• Blog 2-3x per week, and have posts ready in the queue. I’ve always written at the time of publishing, yet I have pages of notes for blog posts. I need to streamline this process.

• Secure 2 freelance writing gigs in 2014. Need any writers for your blog? Hire me!

• Attend FinCon in New Orleans.

• Collaborate with boyfriend on song, complete it. This has been lingering too long because of opposite schedules!

• Post 24 new dear debt letters from guest writers. Do you want to write one? Start the New Year fresh and tell your debt who’s boss.

• Attend Iceland Airwaves festival for my 30^th birthday.

• Learn more about technical side of blogging, SEO, ads, Alexa, Page Rank, etc. Any tips?

• Write one guest post per month. I have a few offers I need to follow-up on and if you are interested let me know!

• Be more spontaneous, fun, generous, and kind. Stop beating myself up and stop comparing myself to others.

• Take one foreign language class. I can continue in Spanish, which I’m proficient in, or start all over and learn Portuguese and French.

• Volunteer: Do one community service project, or teach a class to youth.

• Participate in a bike race. I really want to do a century, but I don’t have the right bike for it. I still have my cheapo mountain bike, but I think I can do 20-50 miles on it, as I’ve done that independently before. The biking events in Portland look fun, but I’ve only participated in the World Naked Bike Ride. 🙂

• Stop worrying about money. I know this is a natural worry, but sometimes I go a little crazy and it’s really not worth it. Making myself sick or worried, won’t help me accomplish these goals!

I’m feeling nervous and excited just looking at that list! Once I’m 100% better I know I can kick it into gear and make these things happen.

I hope all of you had a wonderful New Year’s and are preparing to kick ass this year. Seriously, you guys keep me going.

What are you most excited about for 2014?

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Melanie

Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, Dear Debt. Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat, which helps bold women face their fears, own their dreams and figure out a plan to be in control of their finances. She is passionate about empowering women, helping others get out of debt, and focuses on the intersection of debt and mental health. Every September she organizes a Suicide Prevention Awareness Blog Tour, to help share resources for those struggling with debt and suicide. In addition to her love of personal finance, art and music, she is also a karaoke master and a cat mom to Miles and Thelonious.

Latest posts by Melanie (see all)

• Talking About Money and Mental Health - September 12, 2022
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• Announcing The Mental Health and Wealth Summit - May 4, 2021