My 5 Year Goals!

So I have almost reached mid twenties and it's time I really put down my medium term (read 5 year) goals.  
I know that the farther out you look, the harder it is to accurately determine outcomes or set goals, so I take these with a grain of salt. As life happens, and situations change, these will likely need to be updated.

So here is my list of what I want to achieve in the next five years.

1. Buy a house: This one has been on the radar for a long time and I am sure most of you know about it already. I know I cannot do it right away but since I am done with my education, have a stable job and no debt, its safe to say that I can focus on it right now so as to achieve it till my 29th birthday and have it all up and ready by my 30th. Its a goal I think about every single day when I wake up. As I will get more established career wise I guess I will get closer to achieving this. Bear in mind that my getting married and staying in my hubby's den has nothing to do with it. This goal remains to be fulfilled nevertheless. The good part is I am very close to having the down payment ready. Waiting for 2-3 years before I start the process will only give me time to build a good credit history and have a much more stable income for getting a house loan (In india you can get upto 10 times your salary).
2. Build a rainy day fund of Rs. 5,00,000: So this one might sound odd but this practically means a portifolio (not including long term investments or the house) of this much amount which includes both liquidity and short term safe investments. I am pretty sure I will be able to do much more than this because I have a policy maturing in 2014 which will give me more than 60% of this amount just like that. Although, since I have other financial goals I have kept it to a realistic level so that its easier to achieve.
3. Have a stable pension plan: Fewer people my age are focusing on getting a pension plan instead they choosing to have share and stock portfolios. I have a simple funda- don't put your money in something you don't understand. So shares and stocks are not a part of my financial agenda. Not for now atleast. I am looking around for a stable pension plan and I hope to have this one sorted till my 25th birthday next year in feb. What I have in mind for this plan is simple: Should mature on my 60th and give me regular income yet have the option of taking the corpus in lumpsum along with accidental cover.

I think that's pretty much all. These have been there on the radar for a long time only I did not think I was in a stable situation to actually start putting my time, energy and most importantly money on them.

Some of you might think why a car is not on the list. Reasons below:

1. Simply put : Its depriciates.
2. Petrol prices are skyrocketing.
3. Metro and Auto are tolerable.
4. The car my parents gave me might be 5 years old already but it is in perfect working condition (except the shocker :D). Although, I don't use it all that much so I think I am good where I am right now and I don't want to put my money on a car. I might change my mind on that but so far this is what my thoughs are on buying a car.

I would love to hear your opinion on this so please leave a comment or two.

Love
Drama Queen

Emotional Duck-ism

I am an emotional duck.

There is a saying about how ducks and swans are seen to be gliding along the surface of a water body, all smooth, elegant, serence and calm, while underneath, their feet are going rapidly to keep them going.
Yeah, well that's me and my emotional casserole.

I feel like I turned a masive corner this week.These last few weeks, or maybe even this last month has been a hard one but a certain peace and calmness has come over me and a very clear sign of the same, is the fact, that I slept like a log without any disturbing dreams for straight 11 hours! Sound sleep had become a distant dream since a couple of weeks. I could not sleep properly, I could not enjoy food, I could not enjoy just being in my skin. Something clicked, I cannot put a finger on what it was, but something just clicked and I feel, well, relieved.

It's really nice to come out of a week and feel like getting through the next week is something I can actually do. I am finally able to focus my energy on planning. If you know me, you'd know that planning and looking forward (no matter how successful or unsuccessful it is) makes me feel good. And somehow, suprisingly enough, my plans -when not successful- do not shatter my hapiness. When I am at my best, I shrug the disappointment off and say to myself "time for some new ones". And yet again, I start to look forward.

For now, that's all I have to say. Will post a lot ...soon!

xoxo
Drama Queen

I have a Plan and a Plan I have!

Why do all great ideas come to me at MIDNIGHT? ...Answers anyone....
Well My 24th birthday is coming. Well technically its still 2 1/2 months away but what the hell I will still plan it.

So my plan says I rent a car and take my close set of friends to Agra. A 3 hour drive from Delhi and we can be back by evening, (technically night) . The idea is to have lunch by the Taj. The Great Taj Mahal.  I am hoping to be working by then to fund this little escapade. That's my way of bringing my 24th birthday in true style. True Royal Style. The idea is to make this a memorable day for all my close friends. We have travelled around United Kingdom together. Its time we do that in India. This is home after all.

Well I will need to develop this plan over time. Lets see! But if you have any ideas on how I should be celebrating my birthday do leave comments. Much appreciated.

Love (True Shahjahan and Mumtaaj style)
Me :)