Why It’s Important to Set Financial Goals for the Future

A woman trying to set long-term financial goals for her future.

Financial goals can help you visualize necessary steps to make smart money decisions. When looking at the big picture, these goals can prepare you to pay off debt, save for a comfortable retirement and reach other financial milestones. Here’s what you need to know when setting a financial goal.

A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan to reach your short-term and long-term goals.

Reasons to Set Financial Goals

A financial goal is a specific, measurable, and often time-bound objective that can guide you to achieve different things with money. Goals can range from short-term objectives like saving for vacation or paying off a credit card debt, to long-term goals like saving for retirement, buying a home or paying off a mortgage.

Here are five common reasons why you may want to set financial goals:

Help provide financial direction to prioritize saving and investing for specific milestones. This can also compel you to curb short-term spending.
Help strategize to save money in tax-advantaged accounts, which can grow over time with compound interest.
Help build savings and budgeting habits that could lead to greater financial stability and security.
Help develop a higher sense of financial purpose to reach your financial objectives, even when faced with setbacks or obstacles.
Help reduce financial risk by guiding you to create a financial safety net and a well-planned strategy to prepare for unexpected expenses or economic downturns.

Examples of Financial Goals

A woman looking back on how much progress she is making to reach her long-term financial goals.

Everyone’s financial path is unique. Therefore goals should be adjusted to meet those specific needs. However, these 10 common financial goals could help you set your own:

Build an emergency fund: Save three to six months worth of living expenses to handle unexpected financial crises.
Pay off high-interest debt: Eliminate credit card balances or high-interest loans to achieve financial freedom.
Save for retirement: Accumulate enough funds for a comfortable and secure retirement.
Buy a home: Save for a down payment and purchase a home.
Fund education: Set money aside for children’s or personal education expenses.
Grow portfolio investments: Grow investments to achieve specific financial milestones or long-term wealth accumulation.
Start a business: Save capital to launch a business or entrepreneurial venture.
Create a travel or vacation fund: Finance a dream vacation or travel experience.
Buy a car: Save for a new or used vehicle purchase.
Give to charities: Budget for regular donations or support causes and organizations that are important to you.

Take note: Balancing both short- and long-term financial goals is key to set yourself up for success. A well-rounded approach to financial goal-setting will help ensure that you meet your current needs and move toward future milestones like retirement.

How to Set the Right Financial Goals

Setting financial goals involves a systematic approach that requires you to assess your current financial situation and identify objectives for where you want to go.

As your personal circumstances and market conditions change, your financial goals will probably change as well. Reviewing these goals regularly will help you stay on track.

Here are 10 common steps to create financial goals for your specific needs:

Evaluate your current financial situation: Begin by assessing your income, expenses, debts, assets and savings to have a clear understanding of your finances.
Define your goals: Articulate what you want to achieve financially, whether it’s buying a house, retiring comfortably, or paying off debt.
Make your goals specific and measurable: Specify the amount, timeline and any other relevant details to make your goals concrete and quantifiable.
Prioritize your goals: Rank your goals in order of importance and feasibility, considering both short-term and long-term objectives.
Create a budget: Develop a realistic budget that allocates funds toward your goals, ensuring you live within your means.
Set savings targets: Determine how much money you need to save regularly to reach your financial goals, and make it a consistent part of your budget.
Consider investment strategies: Explore investment options such as stocks, bonds, or retirement accounts to help your money grow over time.
Monitor and adjust: Regularly track your progress and be prepared to adjust your goals or financial strategies as circumstances change.
Stay disciplined: Maintain financial discipline and avoid unnecessary expenses that could derail your progress toward your goals.
Seek professional advice: If needed, consult with financial advisors or experts to ensure you are on the right path to achieving your financial goals.

Bottom Line

A woman celebrating that she is close to reaching her long-term goals.

Setting financial goals can contribute significantly to a secure financial future. While this process cannot guarantee financial success, it can help you build a framework that supports financial stability.

Tips for Retirement Planning

A financial advisor can help you set and reach your retirement goals. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. Smartasset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Using a retirement calculator can help you estimate where you might be with your retirement fund and if you’re saving enough to reach your long-term goals.