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Financial goal setting can help you take control of your money. It is an opportunity to reflect on what’s important to you and begin making a plan to achieve it. Goals give you benchmarks to work toward and provide satisfaction when you reach them. But knowing where to begin and which goals to prioritize can be difficult. This guide will help you set goals that are specific, realistic and achievable.
How do I identify my financial goals?
Start by taking time to think about what you want. Discuss goals with those closest to you. Make lists. And don’t be afraid to dream a little. Saving for a rainy day is hard. But saving for a desired outcome—a vacation, new car, retirement—may be easier. Your goals should be an incentive for success.
Break down big or long-term goals into more manageable intermediate steps. Smaller, short-term goals can give you a psychological boost when you reach them. If a big-ticket item—such as a down payment on a house—is your ultimate goal, consider setting benchmarks along the way. This helps you stay on track, see progress and pat yourself on the back throughout the process, rather than only when the final goal is reached.
What are SMART financial goals?
SMART is a goal-setting method that was originally developed for business and has been adapted for individuals. Its main idea is that you’re more likely to achieve your goals if they are:
How do I prioritize financial goals?
Don’t worry if it seems as though you have more goals than money coming in to fund them. With careful planning, you can address them in stages. You may have short-term goals to pay off credit card debt or set up an emergency fund. Your longer-term goals may include buying a house, saving for retirement or sending a child to college. Along the way, you might also want to buy a new vehicle, take a vacation or remodel your kitchen.
Prioritize goals that could free up money, keep you from taking on additional debt or lead to more money.
These could include:
- Paying off high-interest debt
- Establishing an emergency fund
- Contributing to a 401(k) or similar retirement plan, especially if your employer matches your contribution
Many financial experts see these three goals as the foundation for financial wellbeing. Once you have them in place, you can turn to goals that are more flexible, such as a house down payment, new vehicle or vacation. Money that had been going to credit card debt could be redirected to these. Look for other places in your budget to cut spending. Use digital tools to make saving easier. Consider putting raises, tax refunds and gifts toward these goals.
How do I track my financial goals?
You are more likely to achieve your financial goals if you track your progress. Seeing the benefits of your hard work is both satisfying and motivating. A budget that includes your goals will help you monitor progress. Review it—and the goals—regularly and adjust as needed. You may spot ways to shift money to the goals or decide to modify them based on changes in your life, whether a raise, a new baby or retirement.
Digital apps can help you track financial goals. Spreadsheets also work. Or go analog: Hang a chart on your refrigerator and color a segment each time you take a step toward the goal. It’s also important to keep lines of communication open. Have regular check-ins with your family including children if the goal is something that involves them—like a family vacation. And make sure to celebrate the victories.
How can money affirmations help you stay on track?
Money affirmations are positive phrases or sentences—such as, “I am smart about money” or “I can pay off my debt”—that you repeat to yourself throughout the day. Supporters believe they can help you improve your money mindset, visualize success and build habits that make reaching financial goals easier.
Similar techniques focus on specific goals. One involves writing a letter to congratulate your future self on achieving a goal. You describe specific actions, imagine how success feels and explore the consequences of not meeting the goal. In another exercise, you create an if/then plan around a financial goal. You anticipate potential obstacles (the if) and plan specific actions to address them (the then).
Financial goals FAQ
Beyond getting more control of your money, financial goals can bring purpose and direction to your life. The process of setting and prioritizing goals requires you to consider how your values mesh with your money. Financial goals are motivating; achieving them is satisfying. They can help you build better habits, stay focused, curb impulse spending, and achieve good financial health.
