We are nearing the end of the year and I was just reviewing my goals and accomplishments. My goals really strayed from real life. I never thought that I would have purchased a home this year but I have and I am very happy with it. Instead of having put the money that I had wanted to in the stockmarket it went towards the house. What an accidental gift that was. Instead of having lost alot of money it was put towards something that has made us very happy and hasn't lost us a dime. In fact it may turn out over the years to be a very wise investment. That doesn't mean that I haven't lost old money that was in the stock market b/c I certainly have. To me it is a bundle to others maybe not so much. But I try not to think about it and just hope that over the long haul that the market will bounce back and that my retirement investments will once again be secure.
The other unplanned expense that wasn't a goal in the beginning of the year was a large family trip to Mexico.
We took our kids and their significant others and had a great time. It was a once in a life time trip and was totally worth every dime. We reconnected with our kids and their special someones.
There was alot of money spent this year and not nearly as much saved as in the previous years but I feel that it was money well spent and do not regret the choices we made as a family.
Even though we spent rather than saved this year it really was mindful spending. WE still thought long and hard before we spent and look for the best deals. We did not spend above our means and I think that makes a very big difference to our bottom line.