Perfection is an illusion. A cruel lie that presents itself but always vanishes as you approach. However, that hasn't stopped me from attempting to achieve it. I've always tried to obtain a perfect save, and by that, I mean a save in which I have been everywhere, done every quest that "fits" my character, with no civilian casualties along the way unless they're scripted. I thought I accomplished that criteria this time, but a tour of various Halls of the Dead showed that more people died than I expected. Arivanya, for example. I saved her during a quest, but she still died somehow. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a dragon because my previous attempts at this have made me keenly aware to be on dragon-watch whenever I'm in an area with NPCs, and I usually wait around for a bit before I enter cities to give them time to show up.

So what do you consider to be a "perfect" save? What are the goals that you set to accomplish whenever you start a new character? I'm curious.

For me
All the good loot in the game
All quest-lines completed
fun quest done
character role fulfilled (ie Archer)

Ulfang the Mighty, Dragon-kin, Dragon-slayer, Harbinger of the Companions and Scourge of the Thalmor, retired at level 45. Completed the mission, brought his subordinates (Lydia) home in one piece, and brought himself home in one piece - and that's as much success as a warrior can ask for.

Oh, and kajillions of Skyrim-bucks worth of loot. That too.

Every Unique Item
Every Dungeon Explored
All non Radiant Quests completed
All Guilds completed 100%
Befriended everyone possible
Acquire every follower
Acquire every book
Reach level 50 or above
Buy every house
Decorate every house to liking
And gain every achievement

I've done this. I'm happy.

Their personal goal's met each is different depending on the character.

For my thief that was not to kill anyone "on the job", No murders at all, and no bounty. Didn't quiet make it as she had to kill two ppl and has a $5 septim bounty, I have no clue where she got it.

My Battlemage it is to wipe out all the Dragon priests and make sure they stay dead.

Dalhia my assassin is just in it to make money and never get caught. ( she will join the vampire side in Dawnguard )

Arieal Winterhart, hasn't got an agenda yet but she will join the Dawnguard. She will do MQ to get Dragon's and explore til I am ready to start the DLC.

http://assets.diylol.com/hfs/69a/f61/fd3/resized/x-all-the-y-meme-generator-kill-all-the-dragons-cd7456.jpg