Financial Goals: Definition and Examples - NerdWallet (2024)

Money drives many decisions that we make day to day. Setting goals can help us take control and feel more confident about those decisions.

Ready to get started? First, learn what financial goals are and why they’re important.

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What are financial goals?

Financial goals are the personal, big-picture objectives you set for how you’ll save and spend money. They can be things you hope to achieve in the short term or further down the road. Either way, it’s often easier to reach your goals if you identify them in advance. (If you need to take a couple steps back, see the definition of finance.)

Examples of financial goals

Think about what’s important to you as you begin to set goals. It’s normal to have several goals, and for them to change over time.

Examples of financial goals include:

  • Paying off debt.

  • Saving for retirement.

  • Building an emergency fund.

  • Buying a home.

  • Saving for a vacation.

  • Starting a business.

  • Feeling financially secure.

Your goals will be influenced by whether you're managing money as a single person or working with a partner toward milestones.

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Why financial goals matter

Having financial goals can help shape your future by influencing the actions you take today. For example, say your goal is to pay off a colossal credit card bill. You might cut back on takeout dinners and use the money you save to make extra payments instead. Without establishing that goal, you’re more likely to continue spending as usual while your debt piles up.

Like all expenses, financial goals should be included in your budget. That way, you can take concrete steps toward reaching them while leaving room for other costs. Plan out how much time it will take to reach each goal and how much money you’ll need to contribute within that period.

Identifying goals and creating a realistic plan for them allows you to track progress and can motivate you to keep going. Even if you fall short, you might develop some healthy money habits along the way.

Financial Goals: Definition and Examples - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

Financial Goals: Definition and Examples - NerdWallet? ›

Financial goals are the monetary targets you strive to hit, such as saving for a wedding or eliminating student loan debt. Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet who covers debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies.

What is a financial goal example? ›

Financial goals can be short-, medium- or long-term. These goals can help you succeed in your personal and professional life and save for retirement. Examples of financial goals include creating an emergency savings account, building a retirement fund, paying off debt and finding a higher-paying job.

What is the definition and examples of short term financial goals? ›

Short term financial goals are goals you want to achieve in less than a year, such as buying a new phone, saving for a trip, or paying off a small amount of debt. These goals are usually low risk, meaning you are unlikely to lose money or face unexpected costs.

What is the 50 30 20 rule of money? ›

The 50/30/20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should be split between savings and debt repayment (20%) and everything else that you might want (30%).

What are some good financial goals? ›

While hopes and dreams vary from person to person, there are five big financial goals anyone seeking financial well-being should include on their list:
  • Max out your 403(b). ...
  • Build an emergency fund. ...
  • Get your financial affairs in order. ...
  • Give yourself a debt deadline. ...
  • Create a budget (and stick to it).

What are the four main financial goals? ›

The four primary financial objectives of firms are; stability, liquidity, profitability, and efficiency. The profitability objective focuses on generating enough revenue to meet the firms' expenses and the desired profit margin.

How do you write personal financial goals? ›

Consider working through these five steps to set your financial goals.
  1. List and prioritize your financial goals. ...
  2. Take care of the financial basics. ...
  3. Connect each financial goal to a deeper motivation. ...
  4. Make a financial plan to reach your financial goals. ...
  5. Revisit your financial goals regularly.

What is the main goal of finance? ›

Typically, the primary goal of financial management is profit maximization. Profit maximization is the process of assessing and utilizing available resources to their fullest potential to maximize profits. This has the greatest benefit for company shareholders hoping for the highest possible return on their investment.

How to set yourself up financially? ›

How To Set Yourself Up For Financial Success In Your 20s
  1. Map Out Your Goals. To set yourself up for financial success, the first step is defining what that success looks like. ...
  2. Build An Emergency Fund. ...
  3. Budget. ...
  4. Think Through Major Purchases. ...
  5. Advance Your Career. ...
  6. Use Tax Advantages. ...
  7. Be Properly Insured. ...
  8. Take Breaks.
3 days ago

What do financial goals have to be defined in terms of? ›

A financial goal is a scientifically defined financial milestone that you plan to achieve or reach. Financial goals comprise earning, saving, investing and spending in proportions that match your short-term, medium-term or long-term plans.

What are some examples of smart goals? ›

10 examples of SMART goals
  • Specific: I'd like to start training every day to run a marathon.
  • Measurable: I will use a fitness tracking device to track my training progress as my mileage increases.
  • Attainable: I've already run a half-marathon this year and have a solid baseline fitness level.

What is a long-term financial goal? ›

However, a general rule for long-term goals could be anything that typically takes you five years or longer to accomplish. Some examples of long-term financial goals may include: Saving for a down payment on a house. Funding your retirement. Paying off large debts (e.g., credit cards, student loans, mortgage, etc.)

How much should a 30 year old have saved? ›

Fidelity suggests 1x your income

So the average 30-year-old should have $50,000 to $60,000 saved by Fidelity's standards. Assuming that your income stays at $50,000 over time, here are financial milestones by decade. These goals aren't set in stone. Other financial planners suggest slightly different targets.

How to budget $5000 a month? ›

Consider an individual who takes home $5,000 a month. Applying the 50/30/20 rule would give them a monthly budget of: 50% for mandatory expenses = $2,500. 20% to savings and debt repayment = $1,000.

What is the 20 rule for money? ›

Budget 20% for savings

In the 50/30/20 rule, the remaining 20% of your after-tax income should go toward your savings, which is used for heftier long-term goals. You can save for things you want or need, and you might use more than one savings account.

What are three financial goals? ›

Some examples of long-term financial goals may include: Saving for a down payment on a house. Funding your retirement. Paying off large debts (e.g., credit cards, student loans, mortgage, etc.)

What are the 3 different types of financial goals you can set? ›

3 Types of Financial Goals You Must Know
  • Short-term goals. Short term goal is the type of goal which takes less than a year to achieve. ...
  • Mid-term goals. Mid-term financial goals are aims that you cannot achieve right away. ...
  • Long-term goals. Long-term goals usually take more than five years to achieve.

Which is an example of a smart financial goal? ›

The first step in creating SMART financial goals is to make them specific. A vague goal like "save money" lacks direction and purpose. Instead, strive to define your goal with precision. For example, "Save $5,000 over the next year for a down payment on a new car" provides a clear target to work towards.

What is a financial smart goal? ›

A better way to write financial goals is to use the SMART method. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

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