2024 review / 2025 plans

[duncs500]

Link to last year.

[Beany]

Christ, next verse same as the first, really - finally finished off the migration stuff, but not lost any weight, have bought a new car, otherwise much of a muchness.

[ZedLeg]

Apparently I wasn’t posting here last new year.

Any plans I had for the year were curtailed by being made redundant right at the start.

After losing a job that I was very good and successful at, I struggled to find anything at a similar level, presumably due to my lack of formal quals and quite broad skill set.

I ended up taking a job doing similar to some of the stuff I had been doing at a lower level along with a hefty pay cut.

Job’s starting to get better as I’m working on quite a large project now but I’m really struggling to make ends meet.

Main focus in the new year will be more money, whether that’s a promotion/pay rise or a move remains to be seen.

Apart from that we’ve been ticking along ok.

I’m studiously ignoring some health issues as I just don’t have the head space for them just now . My mental health has been up and down this year, mostly due to the aforementioned job issues. The christmas break has been just the ticket though, feeling pretty refreshed for going back.

Oh and I passed 5 years sober last week, which I’m pretty chuffed with.

[John]

This year has flown by

I sold the mx5 mainly to raise/save a bit of money but spent some of it on the '66 Beetle and a little bit more on the Mondeo estate so that didn't really work out . The reason for the raise/save money thing is that I'm aiming to retire in '25 and have been cutting back on what I spend in preparation but it's a sacrifice well worth doing, can't wait.

[V8Granite]

quote=V8Granite post_id=198320 time=1703784006 user_id=151]

No need to look back, I only have 2 plans….

Fix my body, I fractured my kneecap, broke a bit of bone in my foot, torn shoulder muscles and trapped nerves in my left thigh. I intend to fix them all.

Get nicely set for what I believe will be a harsh few years. Broaden my shares and start investing much more. Open more savings account and generally be ready to jump on a forever home by 2025.

Dave!

Right shoulder fixed, left leg better but not fixed, kneecap all sorted, foot sorted but now my left elbow is giving me a lot of pain. It feels like the muscle is torn but it can’t be. Physio lady who fixed my shoulder is on the case in Jan.

Shares and investments are doing well, not a lot of money but a reasonable lump which is great.

Strength, weight loss all great. Marriage is better than ever and genuinely couldn’t be happier in that regard.

Kids doing great, it was hard work job wise but at home it’s better than it’s ever been with the family.

2024 I’m trying to run the biggest job the company I work for has ever had so am going for the hard sell. If it doesn’t happen and I’ve tried I’m fine with that but need to try.

Carry on fixing body, teaching my boys what I think they need to know to be young men and generally trying to enjoy the ride.

Dave!
[/quote]

The big Nigeria job is in limbo due to funds from China, not sure what is happening there.

Work going well so need to keep cracking on.

Kids doing great still, my eldest is fast becoming a wannabe teenager but luckily a nice one.

Bought a house which wasn’t on the cards, shares doing better than I expected and on track for our retirement plans. Just need to keep the motivation and stay on course.

This year is all about paying off a little debt we have, adding to savings as we have none.

Both excited about the new car, will be fun to want to go for a drive just for fun again.

Dave!

[V8Granite]

This year has flown by

I sold the mx5 mainly to raise/save a bit of money but spent some of it on the '66 Beetle and a little bit more on the Mondeo estate so that didn't really work out . The reason for the raise/save money thing is that I'm aiming to retire in '25 and have been cutting back on what I spend in preparation but it's a sacrifice well worth doing, can't wait.

Fight the good fight

Dave!

[nuttinnew]

Oh and I passed 5 years sober last week, which I’m pretty chuffed with.

"How did you celebrate?".

Well done/congrats/fair play/good on yer, cobber (delete as applicable) for deciding to do something (regardless of what it is*)and being five years in That's a Good Thing to carry into the new year

*excludes some/many/most of the things in Beany's head.

[Beany]

*excludes some/many/most of the things in Beany's head.

With informed consent, anything is possible!

Wait, did I type that out loud-

[DeskJockey]

This year has been interesting, as per the 22/23 thread.

The job change has been quite the turnaround, making me realise how institutionalised I'd become in my old role/company, and how much I miss "knowing what to do". I'm getting there, but would like things to move quicker. It is a very different, much less mature, environment, which is the opportunity. Also have to be in the office twice a week, which is both annoying and good. I dislike commuting, but once there it is useful and a productive way of lining things up for the days I work from home.

Family is well and good. Kids are happy and doing well. Just waiting to find out where the eldest will end up for secondary school. Wife works too much, but that's an inevitable part of what she does. We're trying to figure out how she can reduce the extra hours down towards something better.

We had some good holidays, and while being between jobs I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at the school. Spent a day a week reading with children, and it was very rewarding, especially with the older ones. Managed a few small wins by getting some reluctant readers to put some energy into reading longer books.

I kept to a consistent exercise regime (won't be challenging Gavster or Ascender any time ever, but good for me), running every week, and began adding some strength building into it. All that stopped after the snip, and it was only last week that things finally hung (ahem) like they should, so will be picking up again. I can feel old pains coming back because I've not been moving enough.

Biggest plans for the coming year is restarting the house hunt. My probation finishes in January, and we'll start doing something more than just looking on apps then. I'd like to be in by the summer, but time will tell.

Well, that didn't all go quite to plan.

Was put at risk again in late August, and while I've quickly moved internally into something I know how to do, there's a long road ahead to fix things.

This obviously also put further brakes on the house move. We're picking up again now.

Family is still well and good. Eldest has matured a lot with having to commute to school by himself. We've not had a single wobble with that or homework, which is impressive and makes me very proud. The other two are equally well and doing great, showing us that they are capable and confident. Youngest struggles with mornings, and we've yet to find a good system. We'll get there.

Wife still works too much.

On the exercise side I'm very pleased, I don't think I've been this fit in 20+ years. I'm running twice a week, still doing strength work and feel far more capable than before. I've run my first 10k, and it didn't feel like I was going to keel over.

See what the year brings. I want to keep working on my fitness, and have more spare capacity to spend on/with the children.

[Nefarious]

Well, 2024 took some pretty unexpected turns, several of them around looking after broken people.
My dad's health took a sudden nosedive last December, leading to him getting sectioned and spending the first third of the year in and out of hospital, and then transitioning to supported living. His actual diagnosis is Lewy Body Dementia, which has proved to be a weird and emotionally challenging kind of mental health issues.
Also caring and fostering completely out of the blue. It all started just giving one of Mrs. Nefs friends a lift home from the hospital and ending up playing nurse to her for 6 weeks and then basically adopting her eldest child for 8 months. Completely out of my skillset/comfort zone, but I'm very pleased to report that the situation is universally improved and multiple levels of complete disaster have been averted.

And then there has been the guns. In early February, guns were something that happened in movies and on the news, and I somehow end the year licences for firearms, shotguns and explosives, a growing armoury in the loft, shooting competitively and fighting for a place on the regional team. Didn't see that coming!

Work has been better balanced. Interest rates have kept a lid on any new growth in my own portfolio, but a couple of nice contract jobs have kept me in talking books and dildos. Still need to get better about managing the ebb and flood of the stress/work effort, but I'm happy enough with the direction of travel.

Less positively, cars and personal fitness have taken a bit of a back set. I have finally accepted that my competitive racing days are probably behind me, so after nearly two years of denial limbo, it's finally time to start selling the kit and caboodle.
The climbing and other general fitness effort has been pretty poor. Mostly just distracted with other stuff, and got out of the habit/routine of training etc. That will definitely have to change in 2025. My rifle club is sponsored by Greggs, so I can easily see a path to fat-bastardry if I don't sort my shit out.

Finally, and probably what I'm most happy about/proud of is my daughter's progress at becoming a largely functional, independent adult. She's now been at uni 18 months, but the last year has really seen the transition from what felt like an extended holiday to genuinely flying solo.

Plans for 2025? Well, after the year I've just had, I think it's smart to not be too specific and just roll with the punches. Who the hell knows what's next.

[ZedLeg]

Oh and I passed 5 years sober last week, which I’m pretty chuffed with.

"How did you celebrate?".

It’s my partner’s birthday. The timing isn’t coincidental

[Gavin]

Oh and I passed 5 years sober last week, which I’m pretty chuffed with.

"How did you celebrate?".

It’s my partner’s birthday. The timing isn’t coincidental

Superb Sir, well done to you!

I don't see a post from me in tha thread either, no idea why not. I hope to not buy a car this year! Apart fropm possibly one in Insurance groups 1-3 for the eldest baby.

I would like the recruitment freeze at work to be lifted so I can look for a new challenge, other than that, just get out on the bike more as I signed up for some triple event uktra thing in April.

[simon_g]

No car changes this year, Stepwgn still (touch wood) reliably doing its thing and you’d just expect a newish Leaf to as well. Leaf will hit the point I can VT it in the middle of next year so will work out what next with one or both then.

Kids are good, great holiday to Florida with sister-in-law that we first planned in lockdown.

Work got very dull and customers dropped off so eventually ran out of stuff to do. Offered a decent redundancy payout which I took. Just got to look for something new now - taking a bit of time off first to finish some house projects.

No grand fitness plans, just working on flexibility and enough strength to be able to do a couple of full MTB uplift days without feeling ruined after.

[Zonda_]

Much the same as last year, our company lost the contract at the prison as expected and last day is Friday. I’m off to Gran Canaria on Tuesday then back to start a new job on the 20th. Current car is hateful but it’s saving money so will stick with it for as long as I can stand it.

Upcoming operation to fuse a joint in my thumb, part of it was removed a few years ago but it hasn’t worked and this is the last resort.

[nuttinnew]

Oh and I passed 5 years sober last week, which I’m pretty chuffed with.

"How did you celebrate?".

It’s my partner’s birthday. The timing isn’t coincidental

That sounds more stick than carrot - no, that doesn't really work, but ykwIm.

[Sundayjumper]

I managed to be employed for a total of 10½ months out of twelve during 2024 so that was quite good. For comparison, 2023 was only eight. The MOD is always moving the goalposts with budgets. I'm expecting to get terminated or at least gapped for a bit at some point. However the project I'm on is huge and will run for a long time yet so I'm going to cling on as best I can.

I rather lost track of the car changes last year. Out: Flying Spur, Cayenne, Range Rover, Smart. In: i3, 530d, Range Rover (and straight out again), Disco. I don't feel like I have any particular car plans this year. There's nothing I fancy right now. The 530d might go. The Disco covers the "large, comfy" remit and unless I have to start travelling for work again the fuel consumption benefit on an occasional trip doesn't justify the extra insurance & VED. And more space on the drive for moving around fixing the others would be handy.

Health, you're all making me feel guilty, so maybe I should do some exercise. I already drink far less than I used to so that's a start.

[duncs500]

I’m really excited for 2024, I need everyone stay healthy and alive though first and foremost though!

Work wise, just looking to build on the good start I’ve made in the last couple of months, grow my skills and enjoy it. I have been determined to just focus on my job and not get too ambitious, but sometimes I’m frustrated with myself because I can’t help but look further ahead. Need to try to keep a lid on that, and just use it in a positive way rather than get frustrated if I think I’m not getting recognition etc.

At home, I just want to enjoy life with the family, watch the little one grow and see my wife smiling a bit more. I think as the little one becomes more self sufficient the pressure gradually releases on the stresses of parenthood, so should be a better year for that.

Car wise, just continue on my journey of getting the car where I want it to be, and use it at every opportunity. This year I discovered the local classic car club, which does some great meets particularly in the summer, so that’s got me out and about more, and with C&M there as well, and a neighbour and mate/colleague who are usually keen to join in on car stuff, I feel like I’ve got a nice little mini community that is really making it fun to talk about cars and have an excuse to go places. Just want to add a bit of track to that to allow me to enjoy a bit more of the envelope of the car.

Other plans, keep bbqing, sort the garden out a bit, and sort the garage out. I’ve been spending more time in there tinkering with the car and it does my head in that it’s so dusty and disorganised.

2024 review:

Looking back I think I did a lot of the things I wanted to last year in some shape or form.

Work has been a bit of a weird one, I think from my end I did stick to my plan of not getting overly ambitious (whilst trying to conform to every company's expectation that you 'develop' all the time). I was happy enough just ticking along doing more actual work, which I do find quite satisfying. Unfortunately my company didn't see it that way, and gave me a promotion in October, which on the one hand is nice to get the recognition, and on the other hand means they are trying to steer me away from doing actual work and back into more of a management role. I just don't know if I really want to do it, I just feel like it's more stressful, less satisfying, and money isn't that high on my list of priorities... it's never a good look to say you don't want this stuff though, and it's great for my CV. I think in the long run I might move to being self employed, I just CBA with people management, and the flexibility really appeals, but this year and probably next are about building up my reputation and portfolio of contacts in preparation for that. I still like the firm I work for, they have their nonsense, but it's positive nonsense at least and it's kinda a fun and vibrant place to work on the whole. The client I'm working for are pretty stupid (aren't they all) and towards the end of the year I really needed a break from all the nonsense after mostly enjoying the last year, I think I'll be going back fresh on Monday, but we'll see how long it takes for the silliness to get on top of me again.

At home I think it's been a good year on balance, the little one is going from strength to strength, although I think she'll really benefit from going to school in September as I think nursery is getting a bit boring for her at times. Of course she has her moments, but she's a good kid. The wife has found it hard at times and gets very frustrated with the little one (and me of course), I think I am getting better at dealing with it but of course sometimes if I'm not on good form either it'll be difficult. She took on a course in October which has the potential to lead work she wants to do in the future, but I think it's more intensive than she anticipated and is proving tough for her, and the commitment is also affecting me a fair bit at home and with what I can do/where I can be with work. It'll be a big relief when it finishes in April, but hopefully it'll be a good investment for the future.

The car is getting really close now it's had the paint job, it feels so special now. I haven't used it that much this year, with it being with Dan and then getting painted, although I did do a TD, Walshy day etc, so there have been good moments. Seems like it's been a really shit year for good weather when I want it, so that's impacted the fun a bit too. I also find it hard to get motivated to go out and work on it when it's cold (even though I do have a radiator in the garage!), shochking.

I did sort the garden and the garage, it was quite a lot of work with the limited time I have, but I've pretty much got them done and am super happy with the results. So a big tick there. Didn't do as much bbqing as I would like, probably mostly because I was doing the garage and building the pergola.

2025 plans:

I think until April we're going to be pretty stressed, I've got some big stuff going on at work and with the wife's course I think we're just going to have to grit our teeth and power through, it's not going to be easy. After that I think we'll start to settle into a rhythm a bit more. I've got no real work plans other than to keep learning my trade and being good at what I do with a view to building my contacts. I'm more or less as senior as I can be without being a director and I have zero interest in that (basically BD and HR, dull) so I'm kinda at a bit of a ceiling, which is absolutely fine by me.

No specific plans family wise, maybe find some sort of hobby that the little one and I can get into and enjoy that can then make it easy to give the wife more space which she needs I think. All change when the little one goes to school, but I'm sure we'll soon settle into the new routine. I do want to focus on my health a bit more, obviously the usual plans to exercise more and keep in shape, but I've got a health MOT later in Jan and I just want to keep a closer eye on my health as I worry about it a lot after losing some friends too young, I don't want to be another one to add to the list.

Car wise, it'll continue to be hard with the family commitments, but again try to finish those last few niggling jobs and have it running nice a sweet, use it as much as possilble, maybe even a road trip would be nice. Pray for nice weather for a change.

Other stuff, got this sourdough course so want to hone my craft with that, more bbq and more garden time (less big DIY jobs this year, so should be possible).

Hopefully a nice stable year and focus on enjoying it... so inevitably it won't be like that!

[Gavster]

2024: Discovered that the more I focus solely on achieving one thing, e.g. work success, the more that thing happens. Duh. I gave sport a back seat, although still did a few races (10k, 5 mile and 5k) although nowhere near PBs. Had a few work successes and did double down on the 'overall happiness' part of life with a reasonable amount of success. I'm definitely relaxing into life a lot more. Also got a new car (Ateca) which is obviously very exciting.

2025:
Health: Moving away (with some regret) from endurance sports because they're frankly exhausting, and will focus on strength training in the form of calisthenics.
Work: Keeping the pressure on, which appears to be heeding some decent results. I now have the perfect work/studio setup at home and since my potential house move fell through, I've decided I need to stay here and make the most of what I've created in this space. I've got a habit of ticking something off, then going looking for the next mountain to climb, rather than building on top of the current success. Decided not to do that again.
Romance: Been on/off (currently on) with my OH for about 5.5 years now, I think we've reached the point where we've accepted each other's faults and decided we would rather live with them, after some negotiation and adaptations.
Money: Best year since I started my career change in 2015, which is a massive win. It's been a long decade clawing my way back, and tax year 24/25 will exceed my income from 14/15. Seeing this happen is motivation to double down on the work again this year.
Legal stuff: Disposal hearing on 21st Feb and fingers crossed, if that goes as we hope, the whole thing could be wrapped up somewhere within the next 12ish months or so.

[Holley]

Don't think I did one last year!

Work has been really good which was a nice surprise. I was worried that the mortgage market might tighten up but that hasn't been the case. I'm similar to Duncs in that I prefer working with clients than being a boss or manager. I've had business coaches in the past and they always try to get me to grow the business in order to sell it. But I enjoy my role and don't really want to start taking on more people. My step daughter works with me as does my daughter in law, thats enough .

Health has been a bit of a shocker. Up until 2019, no one in my family had any health issues and we all eat pretty well, exercise regularly and are fairly trim. My youngest (she's 16 now) was found to have a cardiomyopathy in 2021 which means 6 monthly check ups to Ormond Street. She's doing well on the medication and generally I don't think about it much until we go to an appointment and the realisation of what could come hits me hard. I had to be tested to see if I had the same condition but they actually found I have a bicuspid aortic valve. Just before Christmas they did an ultra scan and are a little concerned so waiting for an MRI. Every time I get any pain I think I'm going to die . To top it all off, my stepson was rushed to hospital in December with suspected Cancer due to muscle loss and continuous pain. Thankfully it wasn't cancer but had been told he has a life long auto-immune disorder called Myotosis and is on steroid's for the next 9 months followed by biologics. I really don't know what to make of it all.

Car wise I've just extended the lease on the Tesla for another 12 months as genuinely couldn't think of anything else worth changing to. It's quick enough, fairly fun to drive and is just so cheap to run. Will be looking at getting a car for our youngest who will turn 17 in April. Likely purchase will be a Fiat 500, but will have a shop around on insurance quotes to see what else is worth buying.

I'm not really in to goals as find it can detract from enjoying the moment (I'm very competitive so have to be careful with setting plans as can become tunnel visioned and not pay any attention to what's happening now). My only real wish for 2025 is to learn not to take life quite so seriously and enjoy it!

[Jobbo]

My wife said to me before Christmas how awful 2023 had been. That was after we had just lost Hazelnut but it’s interesting to see how people view the same things; I thought 2023 was fantastic despite losing a much loved cat.

Much of what I wanted to do in 2023 I have done. It feels like 5 minutes since posting my plans for the year. Still a bit slow recruiting but I’m finding the right people and made one mistake with an assistant for me who didn’t pass his probation. But I have an experienced assistant joining in April who I think is just right,

After a few COVID years it was lovely to go away a few times in 2023; waking up on my 50th birthday in Gibraltar looking out to Africa was perfect and I relaxed more at the hotel pool than I had for some time.

Bought new cars for both my wife and me, which I’m still very satisfied with.

Found a new house to buy in September which will shorten my commute, give us more space and be somewhere we should never want to move from. I had hoped to complete the purchase before Christmas but we’re now looking at being in around February. It was partly loss of a cat that made my wife think about moving and while I love our current place, I really can’t be arsed living through an extension project. So I showed her the Rightmove ads I’d already been looking at.

Biggest failures of 2023 have been not cycling much at all - I did just get into Wales by crossing the river Wye in July but that’s not quite what the plans for the year meant And not seeing friends much; work has been successful but I’ve been a bit devoted to it and enjoyed winding down at home when I’ve had the chance. Hope I can remedy that in 2024, and we really ought to do that Cheltenham/Gloucester forum drink before I move 20 miles up the road.

Overall I feel very fortunate; my 2023 feels like it has been a lot better than for many others. I don’t think 2024 should be too different but maybe 2025/2026 will be interesting as I have to make some bigger business decisions. Which I shall plan for in 2024 to mitigate risks.

It is always instructive to look back and remember that whatever plans you make need to be adaptable since things change. Despite that I can say that a lot of what I wanted to do in 2024 came to pass:

- Did not lose any more cats, because we moved house and keep them indoors now with some outside space accessible: the catio we had built. One of the previous outdoor cats does not want to go out at all into the catio. There are probably more whoopsies in the house now despite the 6 cat litter trays.

- Holidays were nowhere near as good as 2023; we had a long weekend in Anglesey just after moving, a week in Salcombe and a week in Malta and that was it (though my wife managed a week in Vegas with my stepdaughter which was a promise for when she had turned 21).

- I didn't just move house myself; I sold two houses so moved both of their contents, and I spent my birthday moving my father from two houses into one, then my wife's birthday moving my stepdaughter out and into her own place. Only one of these had the assistance of a removal company so a lot of hire vans were used.

- Didn't cycle that much but a bit more than 2023. Finished the year finding the rear tyre of my eMTB was flat when I opened the garage door - fortunately not to go for a ride - and I haven't fixed it yet. Need to do that. It feels like a new bike might be the required stimulus to get out a bit more.

- Did manage the forum drink and a Beefy Boys with Jimmy and Charlie. Have managed a few more Beefy Boys burgers since. I probably ought to lay off them; definitely put on a few pounds and feel less fit than this time a year ago. I think moving lots of stuff around early in 2024 meant I simply sat down for the second half of the year Moving to a new GP surgery has been a bit of an eye-opener; the GP I've seen is very keen on me becoming fit for the Olympics in 2028 as far as I can tell, so he's going to be massively disappointed. But hopefully taking just a little bit of his advice will be beneficial.

- Didn't really plan any car purchases after a bit of an extravagant 2023 but for anyone on this forum that's always subject to change, isn't it? So I tried a few (Alpine A110 and Emira most notably) then bought the first car I thought of. Looking forward to a bit better weather in 2025; 2024 seemed to have a pretty rubbish summer. The Porsche experience at Silverstone with Jimmy was a bit of a highlight too, and cemented my desire for a 992. Hopefully I'll get one this year, but I am happy to bide my time; the Cayenne arrives to replace the Macan some time in March (hopefully) or April (hopefully not, because it'll cost a fair bit more in first registration tax - but I'm resigned to that). Also fancy something electric; whether that is a depreciated Taycan wagon for commuting to work (seems a bit silly when I wouldn't want to sell the S6) or something like an i3 for trips to the chippy and the station. We will see.

- Work stayed busy; recruiting has had some success and some failures and this investment for the future did hit profits a bit compared to a bumper 2023. But we're at the end of my first 5 years running the firm now so the next 5 year plan needs to be made, and I have to target a nice round number for profit by the end of the period. Just got to work out how to get to that

- The one thing I said I should do in 2023 and 2024 and really failed was to catch up with friends more. My excuse for failing to do that was moving house, which really becomes a burden in your second half century (can't believe I used to enjoy doing it). But now we're settled I am optimistic that I can resolve my failure a bit in 2025.