1 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: My two thousand and twenty five financial goals. Where did 2 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:09,400 Speaker 1: I pass, where did I fail, falling flat on my face? 3 00:00:09,560 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: And what did I actually learn this year? Sharing with 4 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: you absolutely everything in this episode right now, Welcome back 5 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:23,480 Speaker 1: to Sugar Mama's Fireplaning, the podcast where we ignite your 6 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: financial independence, fuel your early retirement goals and dreams, and 7 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:32,879 Speaker 1: hopefully I'm helping you build lasting financial wealth and independence 8 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 1: one mindful step at a time. I am your host, 9 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: Cannah Campbell. I'm a financial planner, I'm an author, and 10 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: I am a mother, and I'm someone who deeply believes 11 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:49,880 Speaker 1: that success isn't always about being perfect. It's about progress, yes, 12 00:00:50,159 --> 00:00:53,479 Speaker 1: but it's also about having that awareness within yourself and 13 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:59,000 Speaker 1: living with authenticity and having the courage and resilience to 14 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: keep growing and going when it feels like everything is 15 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:07,080 Speaker 1: stopping you and getting in your way. Now. Earlier this year, 16 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: I shared with you my five financial goals for twenty 17 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 1: twenty five. And yes, these goals I was very nervous 18 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: about sharings. By the way, they were quite ambitious, But 19 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:18,240 Speaker 1: I was really excited about these goals and I was 20 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:21,199 Speaker 1: really excited at about like hitting the ground running and giving 21 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:24,399 Speaker 1: these goals a really good crack and as you will 22 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:28,199 Speaker 1: hear right now today, this has been a humbling experience 23 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 1: because whilst I have achieved some of these goals, I 24 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 1: stumbled with some of these goals, and some of these 25 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,840 Speaker 1: goals I had to pivot, and some of these goals 26 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:42,280 Speaker 1: I completely failed at. But this is exactly why we 27 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 1: set goals. It's not about you know, earning gold stars 28 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 1: and pleasing people around us or even ourselves, and about 29 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:55,080 Speaker 1: ticking boxes, but it's actually about becoming more self aware, 30 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: way more aligned to our value system and understanding who 31 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 1: we are living in the most intentional way possible, so 32 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 1: that we can take everything that we gain and then 33 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 1: use it to our advantage to become a better person 34 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 1: for the following year. So today I'm proud to share 35 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:14,040 Speaker 1: with you and take you behind the scenes of my 36 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:17,839 Speaker 1: own personal financial life and share with you exactly how 37 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:21,959 Speaker 1: I tracked, what I passed, and what I failed at 38 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 1: embarrassingly and most importantly, the lessons that have really helped 39 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:41,400 Speaker 1: reshape me this year. So let's get cracking or i'd 40 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: goal number one, and that was to create one hundred 41 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 1: thousand dollars in equity to then go and invest through 42 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:54,519 Speaker 1: a debt recycling strategy for the one thousand dollars project. Now, 43 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:58,079 Speaker 1: I'm proud to say that I created that equity, that yes, 44 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 1: one hundred thousand dollars equity this year. But guess what 45 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:05,480 Speaker 1: that equity is not just from natural growth as in 46 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: the value of my home going up. But actually I've 47 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:12,920 Speaker 1: created that one hundred thousand dollars separately through intentional extra 48 00:03:13,000 --> 00:03:17,680 Speaker 1: repayments on our home loan. Whenever I could, even if 49 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:19,800 Speaker 1: it meant paying an extra hundred dollars, I transferred it. 50 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:21,840 Speaker 1: If it was one thousand dollars, I just transferred it. 51 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:23,840 Speaker 1: I didn't care. I just the moment I could do it, 52 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: I transferred it against our home loan. And I can 53 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 1: proudly say that that one hundred thousand dollars is sitting 54 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: there in our redraw facility, ready to go. But I 55 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 1: haven't used it yet. I haven't pulled the trigger. I 56 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: haven't called up Adam, my mortgage broker, and said, hey, 57 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 1: we've paidn extra one hundred I've paid an ext on 58 00:03:43,960 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 1: hundred thousand dollars off our home loan. Can we now 59 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 1: have that taken out and switched over into a separate 60 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 1: investment loan so I can go shopping for shares. I 61 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 1: haven't done that part yet. That money is sitting there, 62 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 1: and that is a conscious decision. You see. Debt recycling 63 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 1: is in readily powerful when you use it in the 64 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 1: right way, at the right time, for the right reasons. 65 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 1: And it's a strategy that I've used for many, many years. 66 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: It's how I've managed to build my own financial wealth 67 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: and independence. But as I've also explained, debt recycling is risky. 68 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,840 Speaker 1: It's not for everyone because it obviously magnifies the gains, 69 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:23,039 Speaker 1: but it also magnifies the losses. Right now, there is 70 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:25,719 Speaker 1: a lot of things going on. We did have interest 71 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 1: rates shifting down, now it looks like they may even 72 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:33,920 Speaker 1: be shifting up, and the current economic climate is feeling 73 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 1: a little bit uncertain. So I have made the deliberate 74 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:43,720 Speaker 1: decision after chatting with Tom, to just press pause. And 75 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:46,320 Speaker 1: this is not a decision that's coming out of fear, 76 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 1: but one actually that's coming out of wisdom. There is 77 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: no doubt about it. I will definitely be implementing this 78 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:57,599 Speaker 1: debt recycling strategy of the one hundred thousand dollars, no doubt, absolutely, 79 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,800 Speaker 1: But I'm only going to do it when I feel 80 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:07,799 Speaker 1: one hundred percent confident both emotionally and financially, so whilst 81 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 1: I haven't technically perfectly ticked this goal off my list, 82 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 1: and to be really honest with you, there is taking 83 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 1: everything within my body not to just go ring up 84 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:22,159 Speaker 1: at them and say, let's do it. Get that money organized, 85 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 1: get the bank to take the one hundred thousands, organize 86 00:05:24,440 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 1: that separate investment loan so I can go and start 87 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 1: buying shares and track my passive income and see it 88 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:31,840 Speaker 1: grow and see my wealth grow. Yes, I really want 89 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:33,200 Speaker 1: to do it, and I want to feel proud about 90 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 1: properly achieving that goal. But something within my gut is 91 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 1: telling me I won't regret holding tight. So you could say, 92 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: maybe half past this, I've got a fifty percent pass mark. 93 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 1: But this is what I've learned and I've been I 94 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 1: guess reminded of, and that is patience and self control 95 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 1: is a financial skill, and wealth grows and it grows 96 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 1: efficiently when you make informed decisions that are aligned and 97 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:07,640 Speaker 1: intentional against your financial goals and dreams. It is not 98 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: about exercising your financial goals in an aggressive, high speed strategy. 99 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 1: I need to make sure that I do this when 100 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 1: I am one hundred percent ready, and right now I'm 101 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 1: not so In the meantime that one hundred thousand dollars 102 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:24,960 Speaker 1: is sitting in our redraw facility, it's still working for 103 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 1: us because it's helping us obviously save time and money 104 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 1: against our home loans, so it's not doing any harm 105 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 1: at all. But again it's one of those things that 106 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 1: I've had to learn this year. It's not about ticking 107 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: goals off perfectly. Goal number two so this was to 108 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:43,159 Speaker 1: go on a family holiday to Hong Kong and to 109 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:48,240 Speaker 1: go skiing in Queenstown, New Zealand. Now this was a 110 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:50,719 Speaker 1: financial goal, yes, because it obviously costs money, but this 111 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:55,280 Speaker 1: was really about creating memories. Now what happened? How could 112 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:57,919 Speaker 1: I not get this right? So especially we actually had 113 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 1: paid for this holiday upfront. So Giuseppe, my beautiful chocolate labrador, 114 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 1: he got really sick and he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. 115 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: I had to cancel the trip to Hong Kong two 116 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 1: weeks before we're about to leave, and we stayed home 117 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:18,679 Speaker 1: with him. I did not leave him alone at all. 118 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 1: I had someone tag teaming if I had to leave 119 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 1: the house, that would come and sit with him and 120 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 1: be with him, and we stayed close to him NonStop, 121 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 1: literally around the clock. So sadly, he then passed away 122 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: and we had you know, I don't have any regrets 123 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:36,080 Speaker 1: about having to cancel the family trip to Hong Kong, 124 00:07:36,320 --> 00:07:40,160 Speaker 1: but then we got hit with another thing. Queenstown fell through. 125 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:43,080 Speaker 1: We had paid for it all up front, We were 126 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: ready to go. The kids were excited. My two daughters 127 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 1: had neededphis seen snow, and Rocker were so excited about 128 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 1: getting back into skiing again. But there was no snow 129 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 1: yet for the time that we'd booked, and we spoke 130 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: to people and they're like, it's not worth coming all 131 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 1: the way here. There's just not enough snow yet to 132 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: justify it. And then we thought, okay, it's fine, we'll 133 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: just rebook a month later and they'll definitely be snow. 134 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:07,800 Speaker 1: But then we ran into co parenting challenges, which I 135 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 1: will just leave it that. So, yes, I failed at 136 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:14,200 Speaker 1: this goal, and I feel like I really let my 137 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: family down by these two situations that I had no 138 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 1: control over. But there was just a part of life. 139 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 1: So personally, it felt like a bit of a sacred 140 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: alignment because I got time with Tom now also, I'm 141 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:30,080 Speaker 1: a big I'm quite a spiritual person. I'm a big 142 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 1: believer in that, you know, the universe redirects you and 143 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 1: steps in and things always work out for a reason, 144 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:38,880 Speaker 1: and sometimes there is you know, there is a message 145 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: there for you to just be still, be present and 146 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: cherish the things that really matter in life, particularly as 147 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,559 Speaker 1: we were losing Gissettpee. But there was a bit of 148 00:08:46,640 --> 00:08:50,160 Speaker 1: a funny twist after all of this disappointment had passed 149 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: with two counseled holidays, and Tom's new accountant had discovered 150 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 1: that his old accountant had missed something quite important and 151 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:03,200 Speaker 1: we discovered at all tax bill. Now, had we gone 152 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: on both trips to Hong Kong and Queenstown skiing the 153 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 1: timing of this old tax bill would have been absolutely 154 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 1: awful and would have created a lot of unnecessary financial stress. 155 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 1: So it was a kind of a blessing in disguise 156 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: because we were able to address that bill, not worry 157 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:24,280 Speaker 1: about having to go backwards financially, and you know, take 158 00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 1: out debt. We were able to quickly knock it on 159 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:28,960 Speaker 1: the head. So it kind of worked out for the 160 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: best and we ended up rebooking Hong Kong we rebooked 161 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: at a better time and the weather was so much better. 162 00:09:36,640 --> 00:09:40,440 Speaker 1: It actually was a little bit cheaper and my kids 163 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 1: actually because we booked at a different time and actually 164 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:45,000 Speaker 1: meant that I could properly switch off and be even 165 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 1: more present. Rather than having to wake up early in 166 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:49,040 Speaker 1: the morning and clear my work emails, I was able 167 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:52,880 Speaker 1: to actually properly prepare and really switch off whilst we're 168 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 1: in Hong Kong. And we even made a bit of 169 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 1: an adventure of it and actually went into China as well, 170 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:03,079 Speaker 1: which we had previously planned or even thought about doing previously. 171 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:08,080 Speaker 1: So verdict, Okay, I failed, but I failed with gratitude 172 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: gratitude to the universe for actually redirecting and protecting us 173 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:15,720 Speaker 1: and giving us that time with Giuseppe, because it would 174 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:17,720 Speaker 1: have been absolutely awful if I'd gone to Hong Kong 175 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 1: and just so he had passed away whilst I was gone. 176 00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 1: I would never have forgiven myself. And Yep, the trip 177 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:25,720 Speaker 1: to New Zealand not great. But you know what, we 178 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 1: can rebook again next year, and we can be more 179 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:30,720 Speaker 1: informed about when we want to book and make sure 180 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 1: that there is definitely going to be plenty of snow. 181 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 1: So what did I learn. Well, I learned that financial 182 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 1: goals have got to serve your life. But sometimes things 183 00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:43,640 Speaker 1: don't happen for a reason, and that is because something 184 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 1: better is coming your way or perhaps even just around 185 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:49,880 Speaker 1: the corner. So yes, I'm sad, but I have a 186 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:53,640 Speaker 1: feeling it's just going to be fine. Goal number three 187 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:58,360 Speaker 1: and this was to renovate our kitchen that was falling 188 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:01,480 Speaker 1: apart and is still falling out part So I failed 189 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 1: at this. We did not renovate our kitchen. And yes 190 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: I still curse at my kitchen every time I go 191 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 1: to open the pantry door or drawer and thumb me 192 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 1: something falls off. But again, the universe has better things 193 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: in plan for you. Sometimes instead of renovating the kitchen, 194 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 1: we're actually getting a swimming pool. I'm so excited about this. 195 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:23,320 Speaker 1: I've never had a swimming pool before. And we're getting 196 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: a beautiful outdoor entertainment area. We're going to get a spa, 197 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:28,840 Speaker 1: we're going to put it in an outdoor sauna, and 198 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:32,080 Speaker 1: we're going to We've even got a landscape architect to 199 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:36,080 Speaker 1: do this incredible design with landscaping and for these beautiful succulents, 200 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:38,960 Speaker 1: which are my favorite plants now this is something This 201 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: has been a big goal of mine, Like one of 202 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 1: my big life goals is to have a home with 203 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 1: a swimming pool. And I always said to Tom, I 204 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 1: won't stop until I get a swimming pool. So I've 205 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: been dreaming about this for so many years and I 206 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:58,319 Speaker 1: am so excited about this. So no, we haven't started 207 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 1: the swimming pool yet. We still wait for our construction certificate, 208 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:03,040 Speaker 1: which I believe is just around the corner. But we've 209 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 1: got the builder lined up, I've paid the deposit, the 210 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 1: designs have been done. Like, we're very close and we 211 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: are ready to pay for this in full, and like, 212 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:17,920 Speaker 1: I'm excited, So I had to accept. Okay, we're putting 213 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: aside the kitchen, but this is a swim pool. You know, 214 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:25,240 Speaker 1: my kids can come home from school and they can 215 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 1: jump in at the pool and invite all their friends 216 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,440 Speaker 1: over and we can have a fantastic time. You know, 217 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 1: they can play together, we can sit around the entertainment 218 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 1: area and have friends over. And you know, having a 219 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:39,839 Speaker 1: spa and a sauna means we can really prioritize our 220 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:44,040 Speaker 1: health and wellbeing and unwinding and create a really fantastic, 221 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 1: beautiful place to make memories. So, you know, with this 222 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 1: goal is definitely a pivot, but it's a really good pivot, 223 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:59,320 Speaker 1: and I'm really excited about this and we're building, you know, 224 00:12:59,360 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 1: something for us home that actually feels like a massive 225 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,080 Speaker 1: lifestyle goal. So the verdict here, it's kind of of 226 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:08,439 Speaker 1: a fail turned win. And what have I learned. Well, 227 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: I've learned that you're allowed to let your goals evolve, 228 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:15,880 Speaker 1: and pivoting is definitely not failure. It's actually alignment because 229 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:18,480 Speaker 1: this goal and the success of this goal is actually 230 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 1: way more aligned to who Tom and I stand for 231 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:24,720 Speaker 1: and our value system of about health and well being 232 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 1: and the importance of having a connected, happy, healthy family. 233 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 1: Go number four, publish my next book. So this one, 234 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:36,480 Speaker 1: to get straight to the point, is a bit of 235 00:13:36,559 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 1: a pass and a fail, but actually in the best 236 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,520 Speaker 1: way possible. So I completed writing my next book, my 237 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,439 Speaker 1: third book, Financial Freedom, which is all about how to 238 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 1: build a diversified share portfolio and financial independence through growing 239 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:55,840 Speaker 1: passive income streams via dividends. Now, I wrote this book, 240 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,760 Speaker 1: but I just something in my gut jumped out and 241 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:02,079 Speaker 1: I decided to not go down the traditional publishing path. 242 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 1: I want to self publish and as I was getting 243 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:07,439 Speaker 1: the book ready to self publish, I had a bit 244 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:11,719 Speaker 1: of a be guesse, a light bulb moment, perhaps, and 245 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:13,960 Speaker 1: that is what I'd love to hear your thoughts about this. 246 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:16,439 Speaker 1: But I was thinking, you know, this is a seventy 247 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:21,400 Speaker 1: thousand word book. People these days, because I know myself, 248 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,680 Speaker 1: are time poor. They just want to know exactly what 249 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:29,040 Speaker 1: to do. They don't want to read seventy thousand words. 250 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 1: They want to read seven thousand words. They want step 251 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: by step broken down. They want something that is quick 252 00:14:35,560 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 1: and easy to implement, something that is they're going to 253 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 1: digest quickly, they're going to understand exactly the first time, 254 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:45,640 Speaker 1: and they can implement because it's incredibly practical. So I've 255 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 1: decided to turn Financial Freedom, my third book, into a 256 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: handbook and ebook, and it will be straight to the point, 257 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:56,960 Speaker 1: and it is inspired by my financial mentor Peter Thornhill's teaching. 258 00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 1: So that will be coming in twenty twenty six, I promise, however, 259 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:06,160 Speaker 1: quietly and I can't share too much information about this, 260 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:10,360 Speaker 1: but I actually wrote another book. It is coming, and 261 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 1: it will be coming also in twenty twenty six, in 262 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:18,040 Speaker 1: the second half, and I'm really proud about this. Unfortunately 263 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 1: I'm not allowed to share anything quite yet. I'll be 264 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 1: in a lot of trouble if I do. But please 265 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 1: know there is technically a third book coming and also 266 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:29,480 Speaker 1: a handbook as well, which is separate. So how did 267 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,200 Speaker 1: I go with this again? In another pass and fail 268 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 1: outcome has definitely been I guess creatively recreated and reimagined. 269 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:41,760 Speaker 1: And what I have learned is that flexibility when it 270 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:45,800 Speaker 1: comes to your goals is actually really powerful. When you 271 00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 1: just let go of perfectionism and you lean into purpose 272 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: and the vision and being someone of service, the work 273 00:15:57,800 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 1: that you're doing becomes way more impactful and it fuels 274 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 1: you with so much more energy and determination and even resilience. 275 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 1: So it's a mixed feeling about this particular one. And 276 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: I'm excited about this, this workbook that I'm creating for 277 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:16,480 Speaker 1: you because I know it's going to be so helpful. 278 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:19,400 Speaker 1: But it is really cool what I have coming away, 279 00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:21,240 Speaker 1: which you're also going to love, and it's also very 280 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:26,160 Speaker 1: very practical. And finally, goal number five and that was 281 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:29,640 Speaker 1: this was a big one for me, and honestly I 282 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 1: have completely failed at this spectacularly. And that was having 283 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 1: a goal to try and finish my work at three 284 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: pm every single day. I had this intention of creating 285 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 1: these beautiful, slow, peaceful afternoons with my kids where I 286 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:46,640 Speaker 1: could rock up to school pickup at the gate at 287 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 1: three pm, take them to the park, maybe get them 288 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: an ice cream. You know, I have this really like 289 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 1: relaxing late afternoon with them, homework, all those sorts of 290 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: things like just just dream like school pick up and 291 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:06,119 Speaker 1: you know, a greatest sense of balance, but the reality 292 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:12,040 Speaker 1: of running multiple businesses, creating content, managing a home with 293 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 1: three young kids, three big dogs that need a lot 294 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 1: of exercise, writing books, podcasting, and doing a lot of 295 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: solo parenting because Tom lives between here in Hong Kong 296 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:25,400 Speaker 1: fifty percent of the time. The maths just didn't work. 297 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 1: They were just not enough hours in the day for 298 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 1: me to be able to pull up stumps at three pm. 299 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:32,639 Speaker 1: And as any working parent knows, it's not pulling up 300 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:34,880 Speaker 1: stumps at three pm, it's pulling up stumps at two 301 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 1: point thirty to race to the school gate to make 302 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 1: sure that they're on time. Now, I really tried at this, 303 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 1: and I just the more I tried, the more I failed. 304 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 1: Because what actually ended up happening to me was I 305 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:53,000 Speaker 1: started to get really frustrated at myself. I was constantly rushing, 306 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 1: and because I was constantly rushing, I was actually creating 307 00:17:56,280 --> 00:18:00,200 Speaker 1: more chaos in my life. This got really, to be honest, 308 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:07,199 Speaker 1: it backfired on me and I just became short tempered, snappy, impatient, 309 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,440 Speaker 1: and is that's not who I am? So I had 310 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 1: to accept reality. My children now do after school care, 311 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:18,399 Speaker 1: and Apple does after school care three days a week, 312 00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 1: and what that means is I get a longer block 313 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 1: to get through my work. I'm not having to suddenly, 314 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:26,000 Speaker 1: you know, watch the clock all the time. It buys 315 00:18:26,040 --> 00:18:29,239 Speaker 1: me an extra couple of hours. And that has then 316 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:31,840 Speaker 1: meant that I do pick her up at five o'clock. 317 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: But I'm also a lot calmer, I'm way more present, 318 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:37,679 Speaker 1: and I'm then a better mother so that I can 319 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:39,760 Speaker 1: pick them up, have fun, have a bit of a laugh. 320 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:41,639 Speaker 1: And yes we have to race home to have dinner 321 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:44,479 Speaker 1: and do all the bed, bath and books and homework 322 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 1: and stuff like that. But at least I've got my 323 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:51,679 Speaker 1: work sorted for the day. And yes, I'm disappointed in myself. 324 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:54,359 Speaker 1: Yes I wish I could pull up stumps At two 325 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: thirty three o'clock. But unfortunately that's not the reality of myself. 326 00:18:57,760 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 1: And I need to be kind and I need to 327 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 1: be real, and I also need to accept I'm a 328 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:05,959 Speaker 1: working mother. I work pretty much full time, but in 329 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:10,600 Speaker 1: all sorts of hours throughout the week. So yes, I failed, 330 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:14,320 Speaker 1: but doing this has made me I think more authentic, 331 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:19,560 Speaker 1: more honest, wiser, and a lot more maturer. So what 332 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 1: have I learned from this? Well, I've learned that and 333 00:19:22,359 --> 00:19:24,800 Speaker 1: this is the saying that everyone says, particularly working moms, 334 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:27,040 Speaker 1: and that is you can't have it all. I've learned 335 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:30,159 Speaker 1: that I can have a lot, but I can't have 336 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 1: it all, and I definitely can't have all of those 337 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:35,959 Speaker 1: things at the same time. You know, balance isn't always 338 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:41,119 Speaker 1: this soft, angelic, flowing, gentle way of life. It sometimes 339 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:45,200 Speaker 1: has to be structured and rigid, but it also needs 340 00:19:45,240 --> 00:19:49,680 Speaker 1: to be really practical and real. So that's where I'm 341 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:52,080 Speaker 1: sitting with that I failed, but it is what it is, 342 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:54,639 Speaker 1: and my kids can see that I am trying my 343 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 1: absolute best. All right. So, now that I've shared all 344 00:19:58,240 --> 00:20:00,920 Speaker 1: of this with you and I look back and reflect 345 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:03,720 Speaker 1: on these five goals, there is one thing that really 346 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: does stand out to me, this wasn't actually a year 347 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:10,800 Speaker 1: about achieving. This was very much a year about awakening. 348 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 1: You know, I learned how to slow down with investing, 349 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:16,120 Speaker 1: and that's something I've never done before because I've always 350 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: been consistently investing on a regular basis. I've also learned 351 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:22,720 Speaker 1: how to honor my own intuition, listen to my gut, 352 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 1: know that, for example, the timing wasn't right, but this 353 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:28,920 Speaker 1: debt recycling strategy. I've also learned to put my family 354 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:32,760 Speaker 1: before plans. Yes, I really want a new kitchen. I wanted, 355 00:20:32,880 --> 00:20:36,359 Speaker 1: I wanted badly, but I know that swimming pool is 356 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:39,679 Speaker 1: actually going to be way better for my family and 357 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:42,400 Speaker 1: also of course one of my own big goals. I've 358 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 1: also learned that to pivot boldly when life shifts. Pivoting 359 00:20:48,520 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: is absolutely fine. Pivoting is still achieving goals. I think 360 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:54,320 Speaker 1: pivoting is actually such a sign of your own personal 361 00:20:54,359 --> 00:20:57,280 Speaker 1: growth because it means how connected and where you are 362 00:20:57,640 --> 00:21:00,439 Speaker 1: as to what your big picture, your big goal is 363 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:02,639 Speaker 1: all about, and you're willing to grow and work with 364 00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:05,400 Speaker 1: that in order to help make it happen. I've also 365 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:10,240 Speaker 1: learned to choose creativity over perfectionism and to embrace compromise 366 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:14,800 Speaker 1: instead of just creating and chasing this like completely unrealistic 367 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:18,239 Speaker 1: goal or idea that's actually only going to leave you 368 00:21:18,320 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 1: burnt out, frustrated and disappointed at yourself. That is of 369 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:25,159 Speaker 1: no good to yourself. It does not serve you in 370 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:29,680 Speaker 1: any way possible. So financial goals are never really ever 371 00:21:29,920 --> 00:21:34,480 Speaker 1: just financial, are they They're emotional, they're spiritual even, and 372 00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:39,959 Speaker 1: their lifestyle defining, and they really do identify and shape 373 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:43,000 Speaker 1: who we are and who we are growing to become. 374 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:47,400 Speaker 1: They reflect the life that we're building, not just the numbers. 375 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:50,880 Speaker 1: So if you set some goals for yourself this year 376 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:53,480 Speaker 1: and you didn't hit them at all, or you only 377 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:56,760 Speaker 1: hit a few of them, listen to this. Sometimes the 378 00:21:56,880 --> 00:22:01,399 Speaker 1: universe redirects you to a better place. Times your priorities 379 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:06,520 Speaker 1: naturally shift because they need to. Sometimes what doesn't happen 380 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 1: is actually protecting you, and sometimes what actually falls apart 381 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:17,880 Speaker 1: clears the space for something that is so much better. Now, Yes, 382 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:20,760 Speaker 1: I'm going to be setting my goals for twenty twenty 383 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:24,879 Speaker 1: six very soon. I actually finish my year at the 384 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:27,280 Speaker 1: beginning of December. The first of December is actually when 385 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:31,000 Speaker 1: you know my goal opportunity ends. That's when the door closes. 386 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:33,840 Speaker 1: If you've done my Mindset Manifestation program, you'll know all 387 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:36,080 Speaker 1: about this. But it's a very clever strategy that I use, 388 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:38,800 Speaker 1: so I don't I make myself a way more accountable 389 00:22:38,800 --> 00:22:42,960 Speaker 1: with time. So now that I've capped twenty and twenty five, 390 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 1: it's the book has been closed. It's it's now a 391 00:22:46,359 --> 00:22:49,439 Speaker 1: beautiful time where I can just reflect. I'm starting to 392 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 1: think about some of the goals I want to achieve 393 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:53,320 Speaker 1: for twenty twenty six, and I've already got a couple 394 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 1: in mind that I'm sort of sitting on thinking about. 395 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:58,639 Speaker 1: So I will most definitely be sharing these with you 396 00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 1: in just a couple of weeks as we enter twenty 397 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:05,159 Speaker 1: twenty six. But I'm definitely going to be looking at 398 00:23:05,160 --> 00:23:07,920 Speaker 1: these goals with so much more grace and so much 399 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:12,040 Speaker 1: more adaptability, and also, of course, without a doubt, the 400 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:16,240 Speaker 1: same fiery intention about living in a mindful way, but 401 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:20,399 Speaker 1: also with an abundant mindset. So thank you everybody for 402 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:24,119 Speaker 1: listening to Sugar Mama's fireplay for twenty twenty five. I 403 00:23:24,160 --> 00:23:27,119 Speaker 1: am financial planner Canna Campbell, and as always, keep your 404 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:59,280 Speaker 1: financial fire burning bright within This is Sugar Mamma's fireplay