Good morning! I’m up early today as I’m travelling to London to spend the day with my daughter. There is snow on the ground outside and I’m hoping that train travel is going to remain unaffected…..fingers crossed!
I’ve had a little rest from the Internet [and my blog] this week and done a lot of catching up with family. Doing this has given me an opportunity to start on my Christmas shopping and to think about our plans over the holiday period.
I’ve also been working on my personal goals for next year. This is one of my favourite times of the year and I’m getting really excited about January and 2011; so many opportunities!
We’ve set our financial goals for 2011 and if all goes to plan they should allow us to complete the house, pay extra on the mortgage and save some money towards future travel plans….fingers crossed, again!
Ok, it’s time for me to brave the outdoors; have a great rest of the weekend and be safe if you’re travelling.
Some links I’ve enjoyed this week; financial back to basics and moving to Europe 
- Back to Basics at Get Rich Slowly
- Yes, We’re Heading to Florence at Small Notebook
- France Update at Design Mom
Let me know, have you started on your goals for 2011 yet?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Laura, goodness so much snow. Our daugter lives in the East Midlands area, she said she had about an inch, you must live further north. Hope the train ride goes well.
My husband and I are too planning a move to Portugal, to retire, approx. 2012.
We currently live in North Eastern Pennsylvania, US. I recently found your blog and have been so enjoying reading.
Thank you for sharing!
Melissa
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Laura Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Melissa Hi! Sorry that picture is misleading, that’s not our area. Like your daughter we had about an inch of snow too.
Wow, that’s a big move. Can I ask what made you pick Portugal
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I haven’t really started with 2001 goals yet… my only goal thus far is beefing up my emergency savings account!
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Laura Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Hey Carla, sounds like a plan to me
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I certainly like the idea of working on the 2011 goals now and not early January…I’m going on vacation in 10 days time and will certainly spend some quiet reflective time getting my thoughts back into constructive thoughts!!! Hope you have a safe trip (we have sun and summer here)
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Laura Reply:
November 29th, 2010 at 11:14 am
LG: I like to be ready before the new year starts as I always feel so motivated on January 1st. Have a great vacation, which is always a good time to start making plans
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Laura,
Our only child, a daughter, was a foreign exchange student to England when she was 16, met a boy, 15 years later – today, she has been happily married and living in England for 11 years, 3 grandchildren. England does not offer a retirement visa for americans. So since we want to be closer than a 15 hour trip to see her, multiple plans – car rides and layovers in airports, we started looking at other options closer to England, and Portugal being so beautiful naturally came up, not to mention so close and warmer! We tend to be very easygoing people and think it is the spot for us. We have not been, first fact finding mission will be Oct 2011. But we have spend tons of time already – starting to learn the language, internet traveling – so much on the internet about portugal. We have also made contact with the Portuguese Embassy for information.
Stay Warm!
Melissa
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Laura Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 7:05 am
Melissa: Thank you for the reply, how exciting. We picked Portugal for similar reasons! Please stay in touch
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