2013 is just a couple of days away and it’s time for me to start thinking about what I want to see happen in the new year. As the fiscal cliff approaches it looks like most of us are going to need to budget in a little less take home income. Unless a last minute deal is reached the Bush era tax cuts will expire and payroll taxes will go up.
I want my wife and I to plan at least one large vacation and a couple more smaller ones. I racked up a bunch of airline miles in 2012 with my travel reward credit cards that will allow us to travel for free. The only obstacle is going to be traveling by plane with the baby for the first time. Both my wife and I are a little nervous. She did amazing in the car during a 15 hour road trip home for the holidays so that gave us a little more confidence.
I would like to see the housing market make a little bit more of a comeback so that we can sell our condo in Chicago. Right now we have great tenants however we are only breaking even financially so it’s not worth holding onto longer than we absolutely have to.
I am looking for expand my income opportunities next year. I was approached about teaching a class in Denver about blogging so I might do that. My wife is a Denver public relations consultant, but has been wanting to do a little bit more writing on the side so we are going to work to get her a couple of freelance writing gigs.
Enough about me, let’s get on to some of my favorite personal finance articles over the past couple of weeks.
Six Money Moves to Make in 2013 – Money Smart Guides
Increase Your Retirement Contributions for the New Year – Money Life and More
How to Decide Which Financial Goal to Tackle First – Master The Art of Saving
Ten Financial Red Flags in a Relationship – Mo Money Mo Houses
Mortgage Comparison: Easy as 1 2 3 – Finance Fox
A Love Hate Relationship With An Older Home – Planting Our Pennies
A New Year, A New Opportunity – Frugal Rules
Four Ways to Pay of Your Home Faster Than You Thought Possible – Three Thrifty Guys
How to Ask Your Boss for a Raise – Work Save Live
The Tale of Two Broadband Providers: The Very Best and Very Worst – Reach Financial Independence
Mr CBB’s Thai Fish Cakes – Canadian Budget Binder
The Pros and Cons of Online Dating – Frugal Portland
The Fiscal Cliff Blog Round Up – Your PF Pro
5 Holiday Shopping Tips to Reduce Stress & Save Time – Modest Money
Snowed in and Succumbing to Lifestyle Inflation – Club Thrifty
5 Businesses for Retirement – Eyes on the Dollar
Thanks for the inclusion.
That’s quite the opportunity for teaching on blogging. Sounds amazing! I hope it works out for ya, keep us posted!!
Yeah I got the email a couple of weeks ago, so I will look a little bit more into in the coming weeks.
Thanks for the mention. I’ll be planning a few trips this year too, I’ve got 100k SW miles and companion status so my fiancee and I have a lot of vacationing to do 🙂
Thats Awesome Harry. All of our miles are with AA and then I have a bunch of points on the Ink Bold. Next January I will probably get the SW card to get the companion pass. A free ticket is always a nice thing to have for a year.
Thanks for the mention Sean! We’re just looking at our vacation plans as well. We’ll be looking at possibly going back to San Diego to see the in-laws sometime this summer with hopefully a side trip thrown in to Vegas. Sounds like a good opportunity to teach on blogging, especially if it were to open up some other possibilities down the road.
Thanks for the mention Sean! How’re things going with the baby?
Things are going good. We are getting nights where she is sleeping 5-6 hours straight, so that is always good.
Thanks for including our post. As for traveling with the baby, we’re still kid-less, but I’ve heard from other parents that when they’re infants, it’s even easier than when they’re toddlers. So maybe schedule the vacay sooner rather than later to take advantage of your little one not being able to run away screaming through an airport? =)
Thanks for raising my anxiety level. 🙂 jk
Thanks for the mention. I used to get so stressed when we flew with my daughter when she was a baby, but it was no big deal. Even if they have a bad day and scream for an hour, it’s only one day out of your life. I’d rather sit by a crying baby than a person who has a hacking cough or talks my ear off.
That is a very good point Kim.
Thanks for the mention mate. That sounds like a great role having to teach about blogging. I would love to do something like that although I’m always learning new things everyday. You’ll have to blog all about it lol.. Cheers
Thanks for mentioning us! We have traveled all over with our young kids are it definitely has its challenges. Good luck on the plane ride. Bring snacks =)
Thanks for the link love and have a Happy New Year!
Anytime. Happy new year.
thanks for including me 🙂 happy new year! can’t wait to see what 2013 brings.
You’re very welcome and happy new year to you as well.
That’s pretty awesome you were asked to teach a class about blogging. I bet that would be quite a bit of fun! Were they offering to pay you well?
I’d also like to see the housing market rebound some more so I can sell my house! Although…it’ll simply be a wash because we’ll feel the price increase when we buy a new home after selling ours.
I would be setting my own rates for the class so my income would depend on how many people sign up.
Thanks for the mention Sean, hope you had a great holiday!