2026 Financial Goals- Different Fiscal Friday, December 26, 2025

     

     Like everyone else, I have no crystal ball to predict how high prices will go, taxes will increase, and whether my appliances and car will need major repairs or replacements. I also don't know what health changes may happen. I had a recent dental, followed by a lab/ vitals check-in appointment this past Monday with unfortunate news, but will be managed, albeit with more appointments and probably medications. 

     

     Now that I'm on a fixed income, my goals need to reflect watching the little things and plugging spending holes, but allow me to pursue a few dreams and aspirations. I know as well as anyone that tomorrow is not promised. This is not meant to be a "woe is me" post but rather a taking command post, and leveraging opportunities despite the unknown. 

 Here's my first pass, subject to review at least quarterly. 

• Update my spending plan to accommodate increased health care costs, both in insurance and out of pocket costs and prescriptions that will not be fully covered. 
• Update spending plan to include sinking funds categories of appliances/tools, needed household items, and roof replacements as anticipated over next five years.
• Update long term savings account/ CD's plan for accrued interest for taxes, spending, reinvestment. There is likely a major investment coming by summer that I think will be good for my whole family, but the timing needs to be right. 
• Earn at least an additional $3,000 of side money. This will hopefully cover next year's holiday spending and top off the travel budget, plus it will help with progress towards the next goal.
• Increase emergency fund to at least 6 months. This is separate from long term savings and I'm about one month shy. To do this, some spending needs to tighten up so therefore goals within this goal include:

1.  Reduce H and G budget by 10% on average, per month. I invested in a chest freezer, have figured out best prices for stocking up at big box stores, and will tailor menus to be more health and comfort and less convenience. 
2. Take two on trying to get a garden going or supporting my daughter getting more yield. 
3. Review and reduce any unused or minimally used subscriptions. 
4. Reduce meals out to no more than two times per month. It's not realistic to decline all, but keeping a few, but cutting out "lazy" outings, should help redirect to other line items.
5. No purchase of new clothes other than Sketcher shoe replacement (I need good walking shoes), a supportive swimsuit, and under garments. I have plenty of clothes for all seasons and might just need to invest time in refreshing combinations. 
6.  Look at how to reduce energy consumption across all areas, including transportation. Maybe I can keep these expenses from rising by reducing my consumption. 
7.  Maximize any and all rewards and rebates and direct to existing expenses.

     Those seven steps should result if done right, $175 a month of savings without changing my quality of life and over the course of a year, is nothing to sneeze at. I'm ending the year with a different kind of anxiousness from last year when I officially gave notice of retirement. I've never felt as truly alone in my life financially; inflation in every bit of my 2025 expenses grew higher than I accounted for and only me to manage. Whining won't change anything. My comfort is in that I at least have no debt and some money set aside. I suppose this comes with retiring early, second guessing myself that it was the right call. I don't need advice as I have "experts" using their skills and knowledge. I just need to build trust in myself and find ways to squash the anxiety. Putting things in text helps me feel more control and like I'm steering towards rather than being dragged into the new year.