Tag Archives: Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2024

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Happy New Year 2024

May be an image of fireworks and text that says '2024 HAPPY NFW H YEAR'

Out with The Old

Clean slate. Happy New Year. The page has turned. No resolutions. I’d only break them anyway. But I would like to improve on a few things. I celebrated my 1 year anniversary as a retired person in 2023. I must say that I like retirement except for the money restrictions so on my out list is money worries. I think I am going to look for a part time job in the spring. Need to let the bad weather pass before  making a commitment. My joints insist. 

In with the New

New goals are really old goals. Just making a new commitment to them. One is my blog. I haven’t been doing much so I haven’t had anything to post. I’ll try to do better. Two are my cats. I want to try to teach them some tricks. Balboa used to play fetch but now he only chases the ball and then runs back to me but never brings the ball back. Banner acts interested but doesn’t really engage so maybe I can get them both to play more. 

So cheers to 2024.  May it be healthy and prosperous for all!

Welcome 2023

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 A Warm Welcome to 2023

Happy 2023. How many of you stayed up to Welcome in the New Year? Watch that shiny ball drop in Times Square? According to my Fitbit I made it to 10:30 pm before I fell asleep in my recliner. No ball drop for me.

Resolutions

Looks like my resolutions are a bit of a struggle in 2023. Normally I would promise to be more consistent with my blog posts but I am struggling to think of interesting topics when I am not sure how much or even if I’ll be traveling this year.  No Hawaii in February this year. 

I was watching  Nat Geo and a show came on with pictures of a mountain range. I said to the cats, look it’s the Grand Tetons right before the moderator said we’re in the Grand Tetons outside of Jackson Hole. Later they showed a geyser and I identified it as Old Faithful. I was right! Same with the elk horn arches in Jackson Hole.

Old Faithful Erupts

Old Faithful 2017 – Photo Credit Deb Neumann

 

 

Elk Antler Arches Jackson Hole 2017 – Photo Credit Deb Neumann

I hope I am not going to become an arm chair traveler. There is too much to see and experience!

Of course I always say I’ll lose weight. That’s a standard resolution but usually that means that I’ll add 10 lbs by year end.

 

May be an image of cat and text that says 'Think you better get started on your New Year's resolutions. So many improvements needed, and so little time. IGANHASCHEEZBURGER.COM'

Financial Goals

I can say I don’t want to get a real job but I need to have something to do to supplement my retirement fund if I’m going to take even short trips. But I don’t want to have to punch a time clock any more. I’m enjoying that part of being out of work. A few hours on the computer would be a comfortable work schedule. My cats might even leave me alone that long. I wonder if anyone would pay me to travel? 

I got my year end E-Trade Statement. Very scary. While at Redfin I took advantage of their profit sharing employee stock plan. At it’s height of almost $100 a share I was well on my way to a secure retirement.  Today my stock sits at $4.00 a share. I own 468 shares. You can do the math. Its not worth much right now. Maybe in another 2 years it will rebound. Fingers crossed.  My 401K wasn’t much better but I had to close that out when they laid me off. So we won’t even think about that. 

Lets get Going 2023

So 2023 is going to be interesting to say the least. I have no real direction yet. I’m hoping for clarity as the year gets going. How about everyone else? Are you as confused as I am?