How many times have you read, “Past performance is no guarantee of future results”? Unlike investing, reflecting on your past performance in life and basing your actions on where you want to be can help guarantee future results.

Our Annual Report
Like a corporation’s annual report our yearly Christmas letter records the accomplishments, setbacks, and future plans for the three shareholders of our family.

Every year as I sit down to my New Year’s Resolutions the review of past Christmas letters provides vital insight that helps craft next year’s goals. The Christmas letters reveal where we were headed, where we fell short or changed direction, and the trends that have molded our lives for the last few years.

Show Me the Money
So how does this make me a millionaire? As a 29 year old couple, my wife and I have built up a net worth of just over a quarter million dollars. I’d say we’re on track to hit one million and beyond!

Making it Happen
Of course reflecting on old Christmas letters is a strategic exercise and won’t make you any money at all. However, the trends and directions you recognize in the letters can help you create concrete steps towards your goals with your New Year’s resolutions.

We’ve made progress towards a million not by earning a lot of money but by saving, spending wisely, and investing. Basically following many of the concepts outlined in The Millionaire Next Door.

You Can’t Buy Happiness
So what will make me a happy millionaire? When I look back over the Christmas letters the things that make them valuable are reading about getting married, having a baby, and building memories with families and friends. Basically just living life.

The chronicles of earning our Masters degrees, career promotions, or successful projects at work are necessary steps towards becoming millionaires, however they’re not what I’m most proud of.

Be Rich and Happy
Being happy is more important to me than being a millionaire. However, if you review those Christmas letters to see where your life is headed, build your New Year’s resolutions to keep you on track, and stick to them then you can have both. You can become a happy millionaire! For a great source of personal finance tips or advice to help make you a millionaire visit pfblogs.org or moneyblognetwork.com.

Written on December 20, 2006