Bucket List Ideas: My Top 50 Life Goals

Here are my top 50 bucket list ideas.

Your bucket list is a collection of inspirational goals that you’d like to accomplish in your life. I’d like to share my bucket list today!

Side hustle bucket list ideas

1. Start and maintain a blog

As a blogger, this is certainly on the top of my list. Starting a blog isn’t the difficult part; as a matter of fact, I have started three. Of course, only this one is still alive and breathing. It is the maintenance of the blog that requires persistence and dedication.

I have learned a lot about blogging over the years. If you are thinking about adding this item to your bucket list, you may want to check out my blogging tips and my review on Bluehost!

2. Have a YouTube channel

I think YouTube is a super interesting channel to join. Although 100% of my side hustle time is dedicated to this blog right now, if the opportunity is right, YouTube can be a very valuable platform to expand to. Markiplier, for example, has leveraged his channel successfully to amass 28 million subscribers.

3. Have a podcast

Another alternative to becoming a blogger or a YouTuber is to be a podcaster. I enjoy listening to podcasts myself, so I think it’d be very interesting to become a podcaster myself.

4. Make money online

This should be an easy bucket list idea to check off. As I have shared multiple times on this blog, there are many ways you can make money online, often without paying anything!

Personal finance bucket list ideas

5. Become a homeowner

If you want to point to a home and say, “this is mine”, then you will have this item on your bucket list. Although renting is the preferred way to go for many, I personally would still love to become a homeowner.

Of course, homeownership is not a necessity. In Germany, for example, the homeownership rate is only 51.5% in 2018.

6. Pay off my mortgage

Of course, I don’t foresee becoming a homeowner debt-free (unless I win the lottery and have extra money). Although I will be using as many tips as possible to save on mortgage, I will probably still have one.

Paying off my mortgage will, therefore, be another bucket list item that is tied to becoming a homeowner. I’d love to be able to pay off my mortgage early though if possible to save on interest.

7. Own a business

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, then owning a business is definitely one of the bucket list ideas you should have. Whether it is just a lemonade stand, a blog, or a full-sized manufacturing company, an entrepreneurial endeavour is a great learning experience that will enrich your life. It will also make you super busy, so make sure you don’t burn out!

8. Hire an employee

I dream of one day being able to create at least a job have an employee of my own. If you want to start your own business, you should add this to your bucket list as well.

9. Achieve financial independence

Achieving financial independence is huge on my bucket list. As someone who breathes personal finance, I dream about one day not having to rely on active work to bring in income to sustain myself and my family. To achieve this goal, I need to budget well, save money, make money, and diversify my income sources.

10. Become a millionaire

I’d love to achieve a net worth of at least one million dollars one day. Use my millionaire spreadsheet to find out how much it takes for you to get there as well!

Personal development goals

11. Get my college degree

If getting a college degree is your thing, then this item should be on your bucket list. Of course, with the sky-high tuition and so many alternative paths available, it is no longer the only way to success. Pokimane and Markiplier both dropped out of college to pursue their passion, and they now enjoy a net worth that surpasses most of their peers.

12. Get my CPA designation

For those who have read the “About Me” section of the blog, you know that I am working towards my Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. It is quite a journey, but I am sure I will achieve it.

I recommend that no matter what stage you are in your career, you should always look for an opportunity for further education, whether it is in the form of an industry certification or stand-alone courses.

13. Know your strengths and weaknesses

The Ancient Greek aphorism “know thyself” was the first of three maxims inscribed in the forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. It is by knowing and accepting your strengths and weaknesses can you maximize your full potential.

14. Learn how to control your emotions

Closely related to knowing your strengths and weaknesses is learning how to control your emotions. When was the last time you said hurtful things to your loved ones when you didn’t mean it? I know I personally still have a lot of work to do on this one.

15. Do not argue with your loved ones for a week, a month, or longer

Commit to not argue with your loved ones for some time. It could be a week, a month, or even longer. You and your family will most likely appreciate the peace it will bring to the house.

Personal life bucket list ideas

16. Start a family and have kids

If you are someone who wants to start a family and have kids, then this one is for you. Of course, there are so many forms of family and methods of having kids nowadays. Pick an approach that works best for you. If you prefer to stay single, that’s perfectly fine as well! If you haven’t found someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with, keep looking.

17. Find a hobby you thoroughly enjoy doing

Finding a hobby that you absolutely love is a great way to find purpose in your life. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a money-generating side hustle. Most of the time, you probably have to spend money on it. But you will derive a huge sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from whatever you do.

18. Grow my own vegetables

I have grown some tomatoes and cucumbers as a hobby, but I’d love to grow vegetables to the extent that my garden can sustain myself. It’d be a lot of work, but I think it’d be a great exercise, and I wouldn’t have to worry about pesticides, etc.

19. Find a fitness routine that fits me, and stick to it

We all want to be healthy, but unfortunately, we can also be pretty lazy. Because we don’t necessarily see the health benefits of working out in the short term, it is likely for us to put off our exercises till tomorrow, the next week, the next month.

The best way to combat our inertia is to find a routine that you like. If you enjoy the process, you are much more likely to stick to it.

20. Learn martial arts

If you are fascinated by Kung Fu or the Matrix, learning martial arts may be a dream come true.

21. Learn a musical instrument

I played the violin when I was in high school. Unfortunately, I sucked at it. I don’t think my ears were built to distinguish the different notes. However, the experience made me appreciate musicians so much more.

22. Have a best friend

Finding a friend to whom you can confide in everything is a part of life that we should all cherish. If you have one such friend in your life, congratulations. Keep nurturing your friendship. If you don’t have one, don’t worry. Open your eyes and your heart, and your best friend may just be around the corner.

23. Write a love letter

Writing a love letter is an old-fashioned way of expressing love. There is just something magical about writing down your thoughts with a pen and some paper. Why not try it for the upcoming Valentine’s Day?

24. See the sunrise on a plane with someone I love

The sunrise on the plane is phenomenal. I’d love to share it with someone I love.

25. Take care of a pet

This bucket list idea is for the pet lover out there. Buying or owning a pet is easy, but you will need plenty of patience to take care of a pet. Are you ready to accept the challenge?

26. Do volunteer work

When was the last time you volunteered not for the sake of completing some mandatory tasks? Find a charity whose cause you are passionate about, and devote some of your time to help others.

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

27. Do philanthropy

Being able to do philanthropy is one of my ultimate goals. Although right now I am not in a financial position to do it on such a large scale, I can still try my best to help others through volunteering or donations.

Travel bucket list ideas

28. See the Great Wall of China

I am fascinated by the Great Wall of China. I’d love to see it with my own eyes instead of just through pictures.

29. See the pyramids

I’d also love to travel to Egypt and see the pyramids. I am amazed by how the ancient Egyptians were able to construct these large structures with only rudimentary tools.

30. Visit Machu Picchu in Peru

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel in Peru. You can’t help admiring the engineering ingenuity and precision of the Incas who built the architecture.

31. Visit Covent Garden in London, England

Ever since I saw videos of Covent Garden on YouTube, I have always wanted to go there. I’d love to try all the different foods and visit different vendors. I am sure I will have a fabulous time.

32. Visit Italy

I have learned a lot about the Roman Empire in my European History classes, and I’d love to visit the remnants of the once-powerful force in the world.

33. Visit France

I have been to France before, but I think it is a country worth visiting again and again. I’d love to go wine tasting in southern France and witness the tour de France myself.

34. Visit Akihabara in Japan

Akihabara, nicknamed the Electric Town of Tokyo, is the undisputed centre of anime culture in Japan. As someone who watched quite a few Japanese anime growing up, this district is for certain a place I cannot miss.

35. Stay in a Japanese capsule hotel

For whatever reason, I am fascinated by the capsule hotels in Japan. For people like me who are used to “bigger is better”, these capsule hotels have definitely turned my belief upside down. I am curious to see what it is like staying in one of these hotels.

36. Visit the Maldives

Maldives has probably run some very successful marketing campaigns because it has been my dream destination ever since I was a child. Although the flight is going to be crazy long (looking at 35 hours!), I’d love to be able to see the beauty of the islands with my own eyes one day.

37. Go to Australia and visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House

It’s funny that even though I have distant relatives who live in Australia, I have never been there. I always thought that I could use my cousin’s wedding as an excuse to go, but then COVID hit. Marriage still happened (congratulations to my cousin!), but my trip? Cancelled.

Nonetheless, I’d still love to visit Australia one day and see the other hemisphere. Perhaps when my cousin is having her baby shower?

If you plan to visit every continent, you can’t miss Australia.

38. Visit Hawaii

Even though I am only typing in my bed, I can almost feel the palm trees, the white beach and the blue ocean of Hawaii waving at me. Hawaii, I will be going to visit you in the foreseeable future.

39. Visit New York City

I am lucky enough to have already completed this bucket list idea of mine. What about you?

Funny story: I asked a local lady where the Empire State Building was when I was standing right in front of it.

40. Road trip across the US

Another travel bucket list idea that I have is to do a road trip across the US. I have done one across California with my parents when I was young, and I had a fabulous time. Perhaps the next challenge is to do it from the west coast to the east!

41. Road trip across Canada

A road trip across Canada will be just as fun as the American counterpart. I cannot wait to see how the landscape changes from British Columbia all the way to Newfoundland.

42. Hike in Banff

Banff is a national treasure of Canada. Hiking in this #1 national park in Canada is for sure an item I’d like to complete. I cannot wait to see Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.

43. Experience the Northern Light

I have heard many who failed to see the Northern Light because of the weather. Hopefully, when I make the trip, I will be among the lucky ones to appreciate this wonder that nature confers on us.

44. Visit a famous national park

There is no better place to admire the miraculous work Mother Nature has done to the earth. Here are some great national parks I’d love to visit:

• The Grand Canyon
• Yosemite National Park
• Banff

45. Go on a cruise

The cruise industry is one of the hardest-hit industries in this pandemic. Although I am wary about how quickly the virus can transmit on a cruise ship, I’d still love to experience it at least once. After COVID calms down of course.

Adventure bucket list ideas

46. Go glamping

I enjoy nature and I have done camping, but glamping is certainly the next level. Glamping, short for “glamorous camping”,  is the best combination of rustic nature and modern hotel accommodations. You can typically choose from a wide variety of accommodations, such as a treehouse, a cabin, or a yurt!

47. Step outside of your comfort zone

Try something that you have never dared to try and be adventurous! Here are a few ideas:

• Go skinny dipping
• Go bungee jumping
• Try to go white water rafting
• Go sky diving

Of course, only do any of the above if you actually feel comfortable doing so, and safety always comes first!

48. Ride a mechanical bull

This is a fun and relatively easy bucket list item to cross off. Be a cowboy for a day, and enjoy riding a mechanical bull.

49. Enjoy a hot air balloon ride in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I’d love to be able to ride on a hot air balloon in the capital of Brazil to see the stunning view this passionate nation has to offer.

50. Go on a solo trip

Some people say that solo trips are boring because you have no one to share your experience with, but I tend to disagree. I love the freedom that comes with travelling by myself. It is only on solo trips that you can go anywhere you want at whatever time you want.

Final Words

That’s it, my top bucket list ideas. Which ones of these bucket list ideas have you already completed, and which ones are still on your list? If you don’t have one yet, now it is time to create your own bucket list! Share in the comments below!