I've seen some similar threads here and thought it might be fun to chime in.
I've been collecting since 1969 (born in 1962) and had a desire to complete every set back to when I was born by the time I was 50. I beat that goal last year and now have expanded it.
My next step is to have sixty years of card sets (one from every year) and I'm well on the way as you can see. I have completed all but four of the sets from 2012 - 1954
My countdown now comprises of
1961 - 24 cards
1959 - 241 cards
1958 - 493 cards (haven't started yet)
1957 - 108 cards
So, as you can see, I'm well on the way. Everything is in EX or better. I only do raw. I am hoping to finish the 1961 set by the end of the year and have most of the 1959 set done by then as well.
All I need now are the All-Star cards from the high series.
Once I finish with this goal I am flipping years instead of working backwards from recent to oldest. I want to have a set from every year back to 1941. When I'm done with the sets above I continue working on some Play Ball, MP&Co, Goudey, Bond Bread and Exhibits to start a run from 1941 up to 1953.