Yet another list of shit for your accounting pleasure. Let’s get down to business.
Property Audit
As I’ve mentioned before, I spent a lot of money in 2008 and have nothing to show for it. The majority of my property was carried over from my pre-professional life. I own books, movies, games, and other things that I’ve collected over a decade or more. Are these things at all useful to me anymore? Do I honestly continue to value them as I previously did? If not, then why do I insist upon keeping them? Its time to lighten the load.
Information Audit
Most people don’t like to think about death or disability. We prefer to assume that everything will continue like it is, that shit doesn’t happen. But I’m not like most people. I need to audit all of my critical information. There needs to be a central, secure repository for account numbers, passwords, contractual responsibilities, etc. that my loved ones may get to in the event of my death or disability. I also need to draw up wills as a part of this process, living and otherwise.
Financial Audit
Automated savings is the name of the game. My 401k contribution is automatically taken from every paycheck. I need to setup both Roth IRA and an emergency fund contributions the same way. I don’t want to automate my bills, that feels like removing responsibility. My ultimate goal is to save 50% of my salary after tax and live off of the other 50%. Reducing my bills to the bare minimum should leave plenty of room every month to have lots of fun. Having to sit down and write the checks will constantly remind me of the spread and thus motivate me to keep them down.
Time Audit
Time is our most precious resource. How we spend it matters. Who we spend it with matters. Making the people and activities that are important to me a priority is the sole purpose of this effort. The primary metric for happiness is simple: no regrets.
Accountability
To make myself accountable for these endeavors I’m allowing 3 weeks for completion.