On July 6, 2024, I signed the closing documents for the purchase of a second home in Palm Springs. I have been visiting Palm Springs consistently for over 16 years, and it’s always been a place of peace, serenity, and happiness for me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d one day have a second home there!

In fact, it wasn’t an official goal of mine to have a second home out there until about 2018. I was growing in corporate America while also growing my financial coaching company. It was the year I turned 30 and for the first time, I was starting to realize what was possible for my life. I started setting big goals. Things like: purchasing my first home, eventually quitting corporate to run my business full-time, and to having a second home in Palm Springs.

If I’m being honest, I didn’t have the means to aggressively save for all those goals at one time. Fortunately, my boyfriend and I moved into our home together that year. From there, my focus shifted to growing my business so I could one day work for myself. Because I knew having a second home in Palm Springs was something I really wanted, I started saving for it. I opened a general investment account (because I knew it would take me a long time to save what I needed), and I started with contributing $50/month. No specific end date in mind, but I got the ball rolling.

In 2021, I grew my business large enough (and saved enough reserves) to leave corporate and work for myself full-time. Surprisingly enough, that was also the year I started taking trips to Palm Springs on a regular basis. I wanted to be in that environment as often as I could—it served as motivation and inspiration. Every time I visited, I always left feeling more and more confident about wanting a permanent place out there.

Here’s a snippet from a journal entry of mine from November 2021:

“One of my life goals is to own a second home in Palm Springs. Because of other priorities and goals, I’ve only been contributing $50/month to the account. However, the power of time can’t be denied! Small, consistent amounts over the course of time DO add up! I’m still a few years away from when I’d like to achieve this goal, and I will certainly need to increase my contribution amount, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get myself hyped up! This upcoming trip to Palm Springs is so we can drive around the neighborhoods and get a feel for the type of property I’d like to have. Who cares if I’m years away from the goal?! Just being in the environment is going to keep my motivation to save and do right by my finances as high as it can be! I’ve visited Palm Springs a few times over the years, and every time I go, it just confirms that a second home there is something I truly do want.”

There was no denying that this goal was something I wanted to work towards.

Now, nearly 3 years later, I’m so proud to share that I am officially a Palm Springs homeowner! I picked up the keys to the property and have spent some time out there already!

While the ultimate goal for this property was for it to be a second home, I’ve slightly adjusted the goal to it being an investment property. I still plan to visit regularly, but when I’m not spending time out there, I will be renting it out. I need it to pay for itself!

It’s okay if your goals change over time. It’s okay if you need to adjust as you work towards them. What’s not okay? Not working towards the things you truly desire!

Are you working on any major life goals? I’d love to hear about them! Drop a comment to share!