2021 ended with 2 goals met and 1 goal missed. I met targets for investing at least 60% of net pay and maximizing the Roth IRA contributions. I missed the cash in the bank target of $28,000, having only about $21,000.

The bank account goal was missed due to significant cash flows going to unplanned expenses. Even when the goals was set out in early 2021, having $28,000 in the bank was already at risk. Along the year, a few expenses went beyond their planned amount by a total of about $7,000: car maintenance, trips / entertainment, and pet expenses. These, along with few expenses that went under budget and not enough income to offset the increase contributed to a wider than expected reduction in bank accounts.

Head over to the 2021 goals page to get details on each of the goals.

I’m a little late getting my goals posted. I’ve had them formed since Q1 2021 but I’ve been tweaking them since and I am finally ready to settle on my commitments for the year.

• 

Primary Goals

Invest at least 60% of net pay, excluding what’s contributed to 401(k)

• Increased from 55% in 2020 to:
  • Make up for a reduction in 401(k) employer match that was 6% of my contribution
  • Keep me focused on investing more each year
• Represents any investments I make that are not toward my 401(k) because technically net pay already assumes 401(k) is contributed

Contribute Federal Maximum into Roth IRA

• Ensures I’m keeping up with the maximum Roth IRA Contributions that I can make under Federal law

End the year with average 8 months of cash flow needs in bank accounts

• Provides expected cash needs in case of a an emergency, such as a sudden job loss
• Tries to represent a true cash flow need (which includes or excludes certain accounts)
• This is projected to not be met due to a relatively high cash burn expected through the remainder of 2021. See below for an explanation.

Stretch Goals

Invest at least 65% of net pay, excluding what’s contributed to 401(k)

• An even bigger stretch than the equivalent primary goal

End the year with average 8 months of cash flow needs in bank accounts, plus an additional $5,000

• Tries to ensure excess capital is saved (unless invested) as opposed to spent

Why the “average 8 months of cash flow needs in bank accounts” goal is at risk

• Trips / Entertainment expenses are looking to be $5,000 more than planned due to a major trip taken in June
• I accidentally made a pre-payment towards the mortgage of $450 instead of contributing it toward the payment due.

What I’m doing to correct the issue

• Food expenses was approximately 2 times higher than plan so far this year. This was primarily due to eating out more vs. eating at home. I plan to make more food at home to keep this within budget.
• Trips / Entertainment in June was unplanned in the budget and as a result was the primary contributor to putting my cash position at risk. I don’t expect to do this again, and future Trips / Entertainment expenses will be carefully scrutinized to hopefully reduce future projected expenses.

I finished 2020 completing all primary goals as planned, while completing none of my stretch goals. Below is a breakdown of how I ended the year. I expect 2021 goals to be very similar, since I feel these are good targets.