I am a bit of a planner. Ok, maybe more than a bit. After all, I’ve been planning to visit 50 places I’ve never been the year I turn 50 for months now and the adventure doesn’t start for another 11 months. I like to be prepared, what can I say? God finds this funny. He and I have been working on this over the last few years.
I can make plans for dinner or the weekend but when it comes to ‘life’ knowing the future is less clear. This little adventure of mine is giving me at least the feeling I have a little control.
For instance, at this time next year I know EXACTLY where I will be. I will be in Iceland on my first trip! We are leaving just after Christmas of this year. I’ll be with good friends and my daughter. I can’t wait to take in the beauty of the country. What a place to start 2020. Fingers crossed, we’ll get to see the Northern Lights while we are there. The planning on that one is just getting started…
For those of you following along I thought now might be a good time to bring you up to speed on the progress.
When I set out to do this I set a goal of saving $30,000. I’m a little over half way there. I’ve saved tax refunds, cut out a few things (mowing service, house cleaner), cut back on a few things (cable, going out to dinner), made a real estate investment, and put a little money into savings every month. But this is the year of BIG savings. I’ve warned my daughter already.
Actually I had a few big financial setbacks this last year that temporarily freaked me out and made me think this whole thing was impossible but I just keep trusting it will all come together. Every week I’m doing research or taking a step to get me closer to making this a reality.
In fact, I recently booked my first trip. It’s the one to Key West with my sisters and mom to celebrate my actual birthday!!! I am so excited I could burst just thinking about the laughs on that one!! It’s been years since we have all gotten together without our kids for any type of vacation!
I’ve got two big things on my to-do that need to get taken care of this year along with the million little things that need to be worked out for each trip.
I need to get our passports.
I need to get TSA Pre-check.
I’ve also decided it’s time to get life insurance. Technically people have been telling me that for years. This trip is making it feel more important. Not that I plan on anything happening but again, I can’t control everything.
I started an Instagram account for Milemarker50 too. I’ll be posting a lot there from now on. Follow me !
Slow progress is still progress. And that’s enough to keep me marching toward my adventure.
