2018 is drawing to a close, and 2019 is fast approaching. I have been blogging for over two years now. In that time, the UK has voted for Brexit (Britain leaving Europe), our government has tied itself up in knots trying to get some form of acceptable agreement. (Lots of discussion – define acceptable, etc)
This time last year, I posted Goodbye 2017 Hello 2018.
So broadly how did 2018 go?
Money
As someone who retired early, and is no longer earning, my savings are important to me. I have a responsibility to grow my ‘cushion’ that I hope will keep me in my old age. My aim was that we would have another year where our income exceeds our expenditure and aimed to increase our net worth by 10%.
The good news was that our income continues to exceed our expenditure. We have had some great trips, we continue to have a healthy savings habit, and while we are not particularly frugal, we don’t waste money either. The bad news is, that it has been a pretty dire year for the stock market. So, in 2018, for the first time since 2008/9, this small family unit shows a drop in our overall net value. Our investments have seriously under-performed. Am I worried about it? Not really. In our 20-30 year outlook, I am hoping this is just a temporary blip. Fortunately our cash levels have gone up a bit, so I will keep them slightly higher in the short term, ‘just in case’….
compared to last year’s, and I was disappointed that wasn’t 10%. Today I would be happy with 1%…
Health
Another good year on the health front. No urgent doctor visits… Long may it continue to be so. I have ended the year weighing 5kg less than I started it. Still a few more kilos to go, but every little helps!
Travel
Another good year. A week in the Outer Hebrides with our older son, a lovely family holiday in Amsterdam in August and 6 weeks in Rome. Also a few trips across to Ireland, and England visiting friends. Spoilt indeed. Amsterdam was the first time in five years that I had my two sons, their wives and my husband and myself in the same room. A truly memorable few days, made even better by some delightful weather.
Learning new skills
I have been trying to learn Spanish for several years now. I have stuck with my Spanish language classes, and have gone back to my Duolingo after a break while I was in Rome (I found I couldn’t concentrate on Spanish while trying to get to grips with basic Italian. Too confusing…) I have definitely improved. My conversation is still very basic, but I can at least say what I did last weekend, or where I want to go on holiday. My reading is pretty good now, although my tenses leave a little to be desired! I confess to not having done much French, but that may change in the New Year if I go off to lend a hand to my niece. She lives in France and any time now, will have a brand new baby boy. He was to be a Christmas baby, but it is looking more like a New Year baby now!
Blogging
A bit of a mix here. My readership continues to grow, however because of GDPR, I had to give up my subscriber list, and it really stalled it. Both through a drop in regular readership, but it also made me think what I was up to, and for a while the Blog went into the ‘too hard’ pile. At the same time, it also caused me a bit of a blip, and I lost sight a bit of the purpose of my blog. I had aimed for a post every 7-10 days, but for the last few months it has been more like 1 every 4 weeks. December has been better, I will have managed 3 posts once I submit this one! Overall, I’m a little disappointed in my progress here. However, as I wrote last month, it is all about striking a balance. It will be interesting to see what 2019 brings.
Metal Work
Well, I excelled here. I went well outside my comfort zone and held an exhibition with a friend. It was very successful. It was great to have so many lovely comments from our visitors to the gallery. However, it was also very hard work.
Will I do one in 2019? I’m not too sure. Maybe 2020…. My friend is already planning her 2019 show. I’m having a break! I am continuing to make things, I just don’t want to focus on one particular theme.
Personal Development
Although I have retired, I haven’t stopped considering where I am going. I continue to do a lot of reading. Articles, other blogs, self improvement books, healthy eating, all sorts really. Already, as I write this, I am working on my plan for 2019. Maybe it will fulfil the old saying – Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. Now that would be a turn up for the books!
Finally
I was to enjoy myself. Well I certainly ticked that box!
So, pretty much a 9/10 for 2018. I can’t take any responsibility for controlling the stock market, but I can take responsibility to protect us from the vagaries of it. What next April will bring, goodness knows, hence my resolve to keep plenty of cash in hand. I’ll keep with the blogging, my indecision will resolve itself I am sure!
Many thanks for following me over the last year. Look out for my next post where I will cover my key ideas for next year!
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Happy New Year!
Sound like despite the rocky markets reducing your net worth, it’s been a good year for you. Great to hear that your income still exceeds your expenses and that you continue to enjoy an active life.
All the best for 2019.
Hi Weenie
Thanks for stopping by. Apologies for the delay in replying, I missed the notification for your comment!
Yes, all in all, a good year. I can’t influence the markets, all I can do is watch our spend, and that is pretty sound at the minute. Certainly no need to consider lifting investments, which is when the market will impact me.
All the best for 2019 to you too
ERith