Jeffery Sparks 
As you prepare to purchase a home or save for retirement, achieving your financial goals requires planning and dedication. Learn the SMART strategy to set and reach your financial objectives.
Financial goals may range from short-term goals, like paying off credit card debt, to long-term goals like saving for retirement. Your goal should be ranked according to its significance for you.
1. Set a budget
Establishing and sticking to a budget are some of the most essential financial goals you can set. By tracking how much money is coming in and going out, a budget helps you make more informed spending choices.
Budgeting can also help identify ways to save, like cooking at home instead of dining out or taking advantage of discounts and special offers. A successful budget needs to be both realistic and flexible enough for your lifestyle.
Regularly reviewing your financial goals and assessing whether they’re on track can keep you motivated and encourage adherence to your plans – even if this means giving up something tempting like the latest tech gadget or fashion item.
2. Save for an emergency fund
An emergency fund is a savings account designed to cover unexpected expenses such as an unexpected car repair bill or medical bill, or unexpected income losses due to job loss or illness.
When setting short-term financial goals such as saving for an emergency fund or paying off debt, breaking them into smaller steps may help you stay on track and increase the odds of reaching them.
Save a portion of each paycheck you bring home and store it in an easily accessible, low-interest savings or money market account. If necessary, reduce spending to make room in your budget; such as canceling subscriptions and dining out less often.
3. Earn a higher salary
Each one of us has dreams and aspirations for their future that require money to realize. From purchasing a home, traveling around Europe or starting a family – financial goals provide the means for getting there.
Be specific and measurable when setting goals so you can accurately monitor your progress over time. Setting a deadline helps create urgency around reaching the goal, and sharing them with someone will keep you accountable and motivated – something DCU provides through our budgeting and savings tools! Get going today!
4. Buy a home
Financial goals, like any goals, require an accountable system of tracking and celebrating success. Banking apps and other tools make this easier by offering features like tracking savings accounts so you can see exactly how far you have come.
Purchase of a home can be seen as an ideal long-term financial goal that can be accomplished with budgeting, savings, and prioritizing. In the past, homebuyers were encouraged to save for at least a 20% down payment before beginning their search.
Home buying can help build equity, which can then be leveraged for investments such as retirement. Just be mindful of any costs related to owning such as property taxes or mortgage payments – many can be offset through tax deductions and other benefits.
5. Save for retirement
Investment of your retirement account should be one of your key financial goals, but reaching it requires careful planning and saving. Rutgers Cooperative Extension recommends starting by considering both income sources and financial obligations when creating your plan for this goal.
Selecting a retirement savings plan that best meets your current lifestyle and anticipated future needs can help you reach this long-term goal. Furthermore, it is necessary to understand both risks and rewards associated with various investment vehicles before making your selection.
Financial experts advise creating and adhering to a budget while tracking progress toward your financial goals. Reassessing and altering them regularly as life circumstances and priorities change can provide you with a sense of fulfillment and freedom as you progress toward reaching them.
