Bye Bye 2019!

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Howdy everyone!

Wherever you are, hope you’re having a WONDERFUL festive season with your nearest and dearest.

Although, can you believe that we are on the very last legs of the year AGAIN?

Where does the time go, seriously.

This will be yours truly’s last post for the year and I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you for making this blog what it is.

Been a whirlwind couple of years and I am genuinely stunned with the reception this blog has received since.

So for the last post of 2019, I thought I’d do a quick review of how it went for TheFrugalSamurai (talking in 3rd person makes me feel important).

In no particular order…

Finances

I’d say no order but had to put this one near or at the top.

Although, I’m a little annoyed with myself this year for not really pulling ahead.

I had posted last year that I wanted to build on the momentum of last year into 2019.

Top of the agenda was another property (or 3). And maybe a couple of new income sources…

Alas, nothing really eventuated.

Still paying down the same property loans.

Still working in the same job.

Still holding the same income sources.

The Net Wealth hasn’t tracked up that much, probably around $1.2m the last time I checked. (Stay tuned for a fresh update(s) in 2020!)

BUT, and it’s a pretty big but, there are a few things which I am considering for 2020 to ensure that I have a big year coming up.

Youtube, affiliate stuff, writing an e-book, collaboration… oh and did I mention Youtube?

Still, if I had to score myself, it’d be a dismal 1/5.

Work

Not too bad, all things considered.

There were huge headwinds for the banking and financial services sector coming into 2019, with a national election and the Banking Royal Commission.

Earning money in banking and finance is nowhere near as lucrative as yesteryears, and it’s becoming increasingly regulated and political.

This usually means a good old restructure (corporate speak for redundancies, which is a nice way of saying “firings”) comes around every 12-24 months.

I wasn’t too worried for my job, but if there’s one thing I learnt – no one is untouchable for a redundancy.

Still, I’ve slowly built up that curriculum vitae just in case.

A small payrise (less than $10k) and establishing a personal brand with big brother means that I’d score myself a respectable 3/5 here.

Blogging

I’m a bit surprised, the blog just keeps on going, which is very pleasing.

Starting to see a bit of momentum with affiliates and collabs too!

Ditto to building a brand within the FIRE community (yay!).

We can now see the magical 500 subscribers mark as well – AWESOME!

Also great to see the blog mentioned a couple of times in national publications and people contacting moi for potential partnerships. Me!

I think this demonstrates the power of consistency, because as much as I love to self back-pat, there’s plenty of blogs bigger (not necessarily better!) than TheFrugalSamurai.

BUT, I do appreciate all of you who stumble across my corner of the world wide web!

Definitely looking forward to 2020.

However, if there’s one thing I’d say – it’s that I should have pumped even more time and effort into it, which is why I’ll rate myself a 3.5/5 here.

Personal

Ouch, this year is where it hurts.

Unfortunately we’ve had some terrible news on the personal front, and coupled with a couple of minor health scares for myself – means that everything had to be put on the back burner for a while.

Time will tell what eventuates from all of this, however I’d just like to say that if you’re looking for a life partner – you need to find someone who truly pulls you through both the good times and the bad.

It’s only when times are tough do you see someone’s true colours.

That’s ALL I can say on this matter.

As a result, cannot rate higher than 1/5.

Development

Which leads me to the personal development piece.

Interestingly, as I mentioned, it’s also when times are tough do you grow as a person.

This year has been tough. No doubt about it.

I think the biggest takeout has been perspective.

Truly, it’s taught me the absolute importance of health and good relationships.

Because everything else in life, work, money, career, materal possessions, Vietnamese Pork Rolls, portable air conditioners, diluted body wash, everything, heck even this cherished blog… is secondary.

I’ve seen both sides of financial success now, and lemme tell ya, balance is KEY.

Funny right?

Also mentally, I feel like I’ve evolved a fair bit.

Previously I had wanted to achieve results at all costs, with a never-say-die, gung-ho kind of attitude.

That’s good in your roaring 20’s, but when you hit the 3 and 0, you start to become a little wiser and a little more mature – and can decide what is truly important in life.

This level of evolved mindset and mental awareness alone, means I would rate it a 5/5.

~~~

So if my maths is right, 1+3+3.5+1+5 = 12…13.5/25.

Which is 54%, or as we used to say during our uni days… “P’s make degrees”.

A short aside, but I didn’t want to portray myself as a BEACON of postivity. Rather call a spade a spade, after all, we are all human, shit happens in life sometimes. 

But enough of me, what about you? How did your 2019 go?

SURELY better than mine!

2020

Hey, hey! That’s not to say 2020 will be as tough as 2019!

Cheer up, after all, it’s your attitude that counts right?

I’m pretty excited for the new year Ooo and it’s the new DECADE as well people!

So here’s from both MrsFrugalSamurai and myself, wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR and an amazing new decade! Make it the best!

See you in 2020!

(In a couple of days) 

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