1) What Went Well This Year?
Goal Planning:
2024 marked my second full year of annual goal planning with Leah. We kept the same categories from last year but added Educational and Business.
The categories for 2024 were:
· Relationship
· Financial
· Fun/Travel
· Self Development
· Other
· Educational
· Business
We did better than last year by meeting 3 out of 4 times for quarterly goal check-ins. However, I realize I need to be more intentional about my goals for 2025. While having many goals keeps me well-rounded, I think fewer, more focused goals will help improve my chances of success. Having 18 total goals, I think I might focus on just a few for 2025 to make sure I really pour energy into them. Quality over quantity!
Fitness:
Fitness continued to be a big part of my life. In 2024 I performed 182 workouts, averaging about one workout every other day. However, there were periods when I did not work out for a week or more, followed by weeks of exercising every day. So, although it averages out, it wasn’t necessarily as consistent as I would have liked.
My workouts include resistance training and cardio, with a focus on shorter sessions (30-45 minutes), as they helped to maintain motivation for consistent gym attendance.
Stocks & Investing:
2024 was a strong year for the stock market overall, with the S&P 500 delivering 23% returns. I continued investing in my brokerage account, 401(k), and HSA, moving funds to avoid restrictions and investment fees. But this year, my focus really shifted toward Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies prior to the 2024 Bitcoin halving in April.
A second deep dive into the book The Fiat Standard reignited my interest in Bitcoin as a superior form of gold, which led me to allocate a significant portion of my portfolio to Bitcoin early in the year, including in tax-advantaged accounts like Roth and Traditional IRAs.
401(k) Rollover:
One of the major advantages (unbeknownst by me at the time) to leaving a job (which I did in May) was the ability to roll over my 401(k) into an IRA. This gave me more control over what I had put into my 401K investments and allowed me to invest in Bitcoin ETFs after their approval in 2024. I continued to balance my portfolio by investing in select stocks, S&P 500 index funds, and Bitcoin.
New Investment Strategy Test:
In mid-2024, I began experimenting with a business cycle-based investment strategy that uses historical data to shift investments across sectors based on economic cycles. While still early, I feel this is a step toward more programmatic, data-driven investment decisions.
Personal Development (Writing & Website):
In late 2024, I launched a personal website/blog dedicated to sharing insights primarily focused on uncovering deeper truths about finance and personal growth. The goal is to provide valuable information to readers that is not readily apparent.
My first entry was about the 5 years I spent living in my car, and I plan to continue writing in 2025. Writing my own content has been a game-changer. It helps me dive deeper into topics and has already given me more confidence to share ideas and potentially start podcasts or discussions.
Churning:
I started churning bank account bonuses significantly in the second half of 2024 after starting my new job. I had $2,250 of payouts from bonuses in 2024, but I’ve set up many more opportunities that already have, or will pay out in 2025. It’s a simple, high value income stream that I plan to continue leveraging in 2025 as it nets approximately $168/hr of work. I am tracking all of my current churns and total value on the “Churning” section of my website.
Business:
In terms of my side projects, I hired an app developer on Upwork to create an AI-driven application that turns text message threads into printable storybooks. The app is still in development, but I’m excited to market it once it’s ready in 2025.
A Life-Changing Biography: Eugene Sherwood Blasdel
One of the most impactful experiences for me in 2024 was reading the biography of my great-grandfather, Eugene Sherwood Blasdel. His life has been a huge source of inspiration. Eugene was an incredibly intelligent, wise, and business-minded individual. His approach to life and work has profoundly resonated with me—our thought processes and life goals are so similar that it's almost uncanny.
Eugene led a life dedicated to continuous improvement through education and self-learning, much like I aspire to do. He mastered multiple businesses, always moving on to new challenges and ventures, always learning, and always evolving. His ability to leave a legacy—such that "his works followed him" after he passed—is something I deeply admire and strive for in my own life.
Key Notes and Quotes that Impacted Me:
"He was always a keen student of life"
"No pessimistic element in his nature"
"He accepted responsibility in society, though he did not seek honors"
These simple yet powerful statements embody the mindset I want to carry with me into the future. Eugene’s dedication to self-improvement, his positive outlook on life, and his sense of responsibility in the world have shaped how I approach my own work and personal growth. He lived his life in a way that continues to influence me, and I find myself reflecting on his legacy often.
Travel:
2024 was another big year for travel – although a lot of it being in Texas. Not only did I explore new places, but I also got to spend a lot of quality time with family. Here’s a breakdown of where I went:
Palo Duro Canyon, TX (Camping in the snow, February)
Horseshoe Bay Resort, TX
Dublin, TX (Camping for Total Solar Eclipse, April)
Lake Sommerville, TX (Weekend 8 mile backpacking trip Leah’s first time, April)
College Station, TX (Brazil vs. Mexico soccer game, June)
Waco, TX (Royal Flush water slide, June)
Houston, TX (Argentina soccer game for Copa America, July)
San Marcos, TX (Floated Comal River, July)
Las Vegas, NV (Work trip & LSU vs. USC football game, September)
New York City, NY (Value Investment Group Meetup, December)
San Antonio, TX (Six Flags Fright Fest, October)
Texas Renaissance Festival, TX (November)
Raymondville, MO (New Year's, December)
Vehicle Mileage: Total 52,670
Vehicle Starting Mileage Ending Mileage Total Miles Driven
Buick Enclave, 2015 174,000 204,500 30,500
Cadillac Escalade, 2012 109,330 131,500 22,170
2) What Didn’t Go Well This Year?
Goal Completion:
Despite all the progress, some of my goals didn’t get completed. I attribute this to either lack of effort or a change in focus. While it’s important to set multiple goals, I feel that for 2025, focusing on fewer goals with more effort will lead to better results.
Fitness Consistency:
My consistency with strength training was lacking, especially in the first half of the year. While I logged a lot of workouts, I was less disciplined with hitting certain targets. That’s something I plan to improve in 2025.
Education & Learning:
I had some good streaks of reading and podcasting, but I was more inconsistent with staying on track. I did watch a lot of educational content on YouTube, but I didn’t implement enough of what I was learning. In 2025, I need to focus on not just learning but applying the knowledge.
3) What Did I Learn This Year:
Bitcoin and Crypto:
I delved deeper into Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, with The Fiat Standard (along with many other resources) providing a renewed and deeper perspective on the economic system and how Bitcoin fits into it.
Stock Market Investing:
While stocks performed well, I realized how unpredictable the stock market can be, especially when external factors (e.g., CEO behavior, regulatory changes) influence stock prices. I see Bitcoin’s overall performance as less tied to factors that are outside of my control - although still maintaining a healthy respect for factors that, although don't change the fundamental of Bitcoin, still can have a lasting impact on its Price.
Learning to Build:
I learned how to build a website, set up automated invoicing, and explored tools like AI for business applications. These new skills will benefit my side projects moving forward.
4) Prediction for 2025
Personal Growth:
Fewer but more focused goals will be my priority for 2025. I plan to implement what I learn in real life, whether that’s through reading, podcasts, or courses. I’ll continue to build my personal brand via writing and content creation.