2023 Goals – December Review

2023 Goals – December Review

If you are new here, I wanted to take a second and give you the 411 on this review series. I establish goals at the beginning of the year and reevaluate them every month. For a few reasons – which you will find below – but I post for other people’s benefits, too; after all, a lot of people do not consider goals, much less take the time to set and revisit them. Hopefully, you will be inspired to set, pursue, and achieve them – whatever they may be.

For 2023, goals were established following 2022 –  and I’m posting a monthly review to see how I’m doing. This gives me some accountability and provides a framework for others. IF you aren’t establishing goals and actively pursuing them, you are simply on autopilot. For me, those goals are:

1. Continue to post bi-monthly articles
2. Write a series of posts on budgeting
3. Explore active and passive income streams
4. Research and plan some trips
5. Research and explore a podcast

Some of the 2023 goals are carry-overs from last year; others are new editions. Either way, I’m outlining how things are going below.

2023 Goals December Review – Continue To Post Bimonthly Articles

Building and maintaining consistency is key here

This one is a holdover from last year. By continuing to write and publish (at least) two articles a month, I am demonstrating consistency and the build-up of this brand – it’s really that simple. Once the frequency/cadence is well entrenched, I can begin by polishing up the look here at The Wealthy Ironworker. February marked 5 years I have been at this – with some level of consistency – and I want to reinforce it. It may seem as though I am trying to build up content, and to an extent, that’s true, but another reason is to instill some discipline in myself. If you are AT ALL like me, discipline doesn’t come naturally; it’s elusive and difficult to obtain – and even harder to implement. Even so, it’s still worth pursuing, and as such, I want to pursue it – and tout its benefits along the way.

Moreover, just the fact that this has been a long-time endeavor – over 5 years now – illustrates to a degree some form of discipline.

In pursuit of discipline, I plan to continue making the articles at least bi-monthly, no matter how busy I am and hope to have some created great content by the year’s end. I have some great ideas for articles, and I am really looking forward to posting through the year – especially since I’ve labeled 2023 the year of the budget. You can start your journey with Budgeting 101 and follow up with other posts this year: Living Below Your Means, Avoiding Lifestyle Inflation, Reevaluating Your Budget, Introducing Finances to Your Children, Tips to Help You Budget Better, Reverse Budgeting, along with a milestone for us: 100 Articles!! These are followed up with 10 Benefits of Being a Union Contractor, Benefits of Being A Union Member, and The Real Anthony Fauci Book Review.

What’s more, the importance of cadence is amplified since I HAD COMMITTED TO DROPPING AT LEAST ONE PODCAST EPISODE THIS MONTH – AND I HAVE FINALLY RECORDED AND PUBLISHED AN EPISODE. More on that later.

2023 Goals December Review – Write A Series Of Posts On Budgeting

This series is something sorely needed at all levels – personal and business

Why this goal? What is the reason for this particular focus?

There are a few reasons, really. First, the concept of budgeting is vital and important. IF you do not know your money in/money out scenario, you are in poor company (pun intended). CNBC reports an astounding 73% of Americans do not budget. This is the height of lunacy – well, that and the fact that a “supposed expert” says it’s okay not to look at a budget.

Second, given that most do not budget makes it is even more important for people to have a place to go and review the basics. I am not an economist, scientist, or salesman – I am an Ironworker by trade. Who better to talk to those in the trades other than someone else in the trades?

Third, I am working through some budgeting things myself. We purchased another house at the beginning of the year, and that prompted me to revisit our own budget. A house is a major expense, and having two mortgages is rather daunting, to be honest. This is not the time to throw stuff against the wall and see what sticks. Rather, I plan to be intentional about crafting a budget, compartmentalizing it with different accounts, and tracking it meticulously. I suspect keeping a record of this goal will be advantageous for others. I won’t get into particulars or specific amounts; instead, I plan on providing details on focus, adjustments, and how I essentially do it all.

Fourth, I am working with someone who needs to be taught the basics of budgeting – which is what I suspect many young adults need – likely the adult children of people in the trades. Or maybe it is someone just getting in the trades – or even a seasoned veteran. Whoever it may happen to be, I suspect the way I handle the instruction here is something others can model and adapt for their own personal use with themselves and/or their kids. I’m leaving this one up still, only because I am sure there are others for whom this is a reason for them to either create, revisit, or reestablish a budget. For reasons I won’t go into here, this is no longer one for me.

Fifth, for unknown reasons, there is a “fear” of budgeting people unreasonably have. The hope is that by modeling budgeting at an easy-to-understand level, some can overcome this unnatural fear of something so essential to a successful financial life. There really is no good reason not to take the time to actually create a budget. They are simple, provide a game plan, and possess the ability to really help you navigate through things.

So – now that I have outlined the above, how am I doing with this goal carried through the LAST month of the year?

Well, I am happy to report that I have published and completed the budgeting series! Moreover, the actual order is below for those who want to take a look:

• Budgeting 101
• Living Below Your Means
• Avoiding Lifestyle Inflation
• Re-evaluating Your Budget
• Tightening Your Financial Belt
• Introducing Finances to Your Children
• Tips To Help You Budget Better
• Reverse Budgeting
• What Do You REALLY Need To Live?

All in all, I am quite pleased with this goal. To have a series complete for people to glean from in years to come is a job well done.

2023 Goals December Review – Explore Active And Passive Income Streams

Everyone wants more money – the question is, how do we go about getting it?

This one is another holdover from last year but deserves a continued look. The reasons are many, but renting out a house is a large move towards passive income – and as such, perhaps I should be a little more active in pursuing this goal. For example, our former house I purchased 16 years ago we are renting, and the mortgage is quite a bit smaller than the one we have now (not to mention the lower interest rate). This means reevaluating all things financial, including the income we bring into the home. I like having margin, and I have less of it now. Margin – or the ability to have room to breathe and not have all your time/financial resources spoken for is an article I will be writing in the future to be sure.

So, how am I doing with this particular goal?

As it turns out, at the beginning of March, my wife and I became landlords. We are now ten months into renting out our old home, and it is going to be a source of passive income for us – the first of many streams, I hope. I’ve looked into others (like writing for someone else online, consulting, etc.), but I’ve yet to actually implement any of these other ideas. I still want to do more research into other viable options and see what’s out there.

Plus, up until about 8 or 9 months ago, I have NEVER REALLY HYPED UP THIS WEBSITE. All of the visitors and traction have been totally organic – something I’m VERY proud of.

The reason I bring that up is that with podcast episodes already dropped (💪💪), I have been doing a fair bit of research into providing merchandise for those who have asked – which you can find here. There is, of course, the possibility of strategic partnerships/sponsorships in the future, too.

Another possible opportunity is purchasing condos and renting them out. Time will tell how we proceed and what ultimately takes place. We genuinely enjoy helping people and don’t try to gouge others like some do. You hear horror stories about exorbitant rent all the time.

In reality, though, there is just so much information out there to sift through I have been lazy about it. Hey, I’ll admit it. It’s going to take time to discern between the plethora of bad info and get some good nuggets to digest. What’s more, I am traveling more than ever, and that takes me out of my element of consistency – making it more difficult to explore other options. In any case, like Harry Truman said iconically, “The buck stops here.” I am the one ultimately who is responsible, and I have no one else to blame. I now return you to your regularly scheduled article.

*If you’d like me to write for you, speak, or consult – feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to talk about the opportunity*

2024 is shaping up to be an interesting year.

2023 Goals December Review – Research And Plan Some Trips

One of my favorite photos from a trip we took to Banff National Park, Alberta Canada

This one is interesting. 2022 saw me travel more than I ever have, and I enjoyed just about all of it, to be honest – personal and professional. I had some trips already planned out for this year, but after visiting Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada December of 2022, I have a renewed interest in the Rockies. We typically try to visit National Parks as a family, and I can say there are some very specific parks I’d really like to visit: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Tetons National Park, and Glacier National Park are the top 3 that come to mind. What’s more, the National Park Service gives all 4th graders free access to National Parks across the United States – something we will be capitalizing on next year to some degree. I would also like to revisit Yosemite National Park in the future – that is one special and amazing place. For my money, I have never come across a view that rivals Glacier Point in Yosemite in all the parks I’ve visited so far.

 

Glacier Point is magical, to say the least

In any case, those long-term trips have essentially been shoved to the back burner since there is so much other stuff going on, and the podcast has started up.

IF we do take any large trips next year, I suspect the planning will take place sometime next year.

Oh well – onward to something else.

2023 Goals December Review – Research And Explore A Podcast

Long-form conversations via podcasts have soared in popularity – and there is tremendous opportunity

It seems like everyone has a podcast these days. That’s not the reason I want to explore a podcast, though; it’s more that I have a specific focus and believe in the long run that it would be beneficial – and an additional stream of income at some point.

What’s more, I’ve had some conversations where others asked if I had one – or planned to. They felt it would be beneficial, and some assessment on my part tells me I think they are right. To be honest, this is one of those things that I do not feel like doing the leg work for (it’s like drinking from a firehose when it comes to everything you need to know), but I know that if I do, I’ll be glad later down the line. I just need to find the energy, time, and space – and ultimately, the discipline to execute this.

Out of the 2023 goals I’ve set, this is one I was really excited about the most. Even though I am (STILL) in the beginning stages, I have really bought into the idea that I can expand my reach by incorporating the podcast into the media I use. AND I have taken steps in the right direction here.

I have in mind for the first 10 to be recorded before I start dropping any at all; if I drop one a week, that gives me two and a half months of episodes – and that should be ample time for me to record other ones. I need to keep practicing episodes to get flow, atmosphere, background noise, and minute details down to feel more comfortable about dropping the episodes. Once I get it all down, though, you will be able to find the episodes here, among other places – links to come.

As of this article, I have dropped the first 2 podcast episodes, the first Q & A, and Part 1 discussing the stigma against the trades – something I am immensely proud of – and you can find it on the podcast page, YouTube, Rumble, and everywhere else you use to consume podcasts (like Spotify, iTunes, and IHeart Radio).

If it looks rough around the edges, that’s because it is. I have a lot to learn still but I couldn’t continue to research and not act; sometimes you just have to dive right in. I promise they will look/sound better as time passes.

 

I have also been toying around with the idea of having multiple logos, different slogans and sayings, and making it all appeal to various other trades.

For example, the revamped website’s tagline is “Exploring Through the Veil of Composure.”

So much more to come; things usually happen organically around here 😎

For now, though, I’ll just have to wow you with my initial logo – also inversed!

 

Take it from me – the merch looks dope and you can find it here

There has been so much interest in merchandise, that I took the time to delve into creating a store and finally was able to get it live. I’ll add products periodically (through interest or demand), but there are some items that’ll likely be there for the long haul – and you can find them here.

Conclusion – December Review Of 2023 Goals

In the end, I, like everyone else, have much to learn, but you can’t make any progress IF you simply sit on the sidelines, allow yourself to merely tread water, and dig in a rut. A better course of action is for you to challenge yourself no matter where you are and continually make progress.

If you are following along, set some 2023 goals yourself (even at the end of the year), routinely check in on them, and note your progress – or lack thereof. Otherwise, you may find yourself with what Socrates said:

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Let’s see how things move forward – and I hope you find inspiration regardless of the stage you are in. Set some goals and begin pursuing them!

2023 goals – December Review done!