2017 review and 2018 goals

Sooooo here is my post about my goals for 2018. But to understand the goals of 2018 we first need to look at my goals of 2017:

1. Investigate and start with investing (passed): After extensive researching the types of investiging strategies and making a complete switch from ETF to dividend growth investing I purchased my first (dutch & US) stocks in februari of 2017.
2. Make monthly deposits to be able to purchase stock (passed): After discussing my plans with my wife we decided to start out with €250,- monthly deposits. Fortunatelly I have been able to make larger contributions in a few months to accelerate my portfolio.
3. Find ways to save on gas usage (passed I guess?): There are two major gas spenders in our household. The first being me and my long showers. For Christmans my wife gave me a small waterproof clock that I could mount in the shower. This shortens my time in the shower. The second being the use of hot water downstairs (awashing off/hands/etc). It takes a long time for the water to travel from the attic to downstairs so this is costly. Last week (ok technically not in 2017) we installed a Quooker that instantly provides hot (boiling) water so it does not use the water from upstairs. Since its costs about 20 Watt on average this is cheaper then gas (in a few years).
4. Find ways to save on electricity usage (passed): I have redone every light in the house with LED’s. Next to this we implemented various methods for saving on our electricity bill. We received €200,- back and lowered our monthly cost.
5. Check our insurance policies (passed): Done, we redid our insurances and are now saving over €450,- a year.
6. Reduce part of our mortgage (passed): On the last day of the year we made a deposit of €7800,- on part of our mortgage. This will save us next year €343,20 in mortgage (tax benefits will lower this amount).
7. Receive a day salary via dividends €130,- (failed): One of the few goals that I have failed. I was it too ambitious regarding the amount I would receive so I made about 68,3%.
8. Invest €2.500 (passed): I ended the year with a portfolio worth of €5300,- due to additional buys and a side hustle.
9. Write at least a blog post once a week (failed): I made a total of 43 posts since starting this blog on the 2d of september 2016.

Well there you have it, I’m pleased about the results I could manage last year.

My new goals for 2018:

1. Receive €200,- in dividends: Self-eplanatory, I need to step up my game with quality buys to attain this goal. In the previous year my total amount was €88,79,-
2. Increase dividend portfolio to €10.000: This means my €250,- amount per month will definitely not cut it. I need to renegotiate with my wife about our deposits and side hustle lot more (crypto’s anyone?). I need to add €5700,- of capital (actually somewhat less as I reinvest all my dividends received)
3. Increase forward income to $450: As my current forward income sits on $210,67 I need to more then double this amount. Fortunately I have two more months this year since I’m starting immediately in January.
4. Write a blog post once a week: Same one as last year.
5. Spend less time with my phone: I installed the QualityTime app and it scared the bejesus out of me. Spending more than 3 hours on my phone?!? What the hell was I doing? Well no I know so I can spend time on what really matters.
6. Spend more time with my family: My family matters, in fact they are the main reason why I do what I do and work hard towards financial independence.
7. Read 12 self-improvement books: I need to constantly work on myself to improve myself. This means reading a lot (next to relaxing lecture) about ways to improve myself either personally or professionally. I’m currently reading: “The single best investment: Creating wealth by dividend growth” by Lowell Miller.
8. Exercise 2-3 times a week: Next to keeping my mind sharp I need to keep my body healthy as well. Regular exercise, eating healthy and getting enough sleep are all part of this goal. I will also run at least two obstacle runs this year as well.

So here we are, my second set of goals since starting this blog. I really believe in the power of goal setting, so this will be my guide for the coming year.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this, its actually my longest blogpost ever :).