How to Pick The Best Personal Financial Goals

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. (Benjamin Franklin)

Learning about personal finance is the first step towards financial freedom. For most people, creating and achieving financial goals is difficult – not because of their income but because they lack proper goal-setting skills.

In 2017, the median household income in the U.S was $60,336 – however, an average American individual had about $38,000 in personal debt. As you can see, the figures barely add up. For most people, they represent an unhealthy financial cycle. If you fall under this category, we would like to help!

Here is a simple guide to personal finance for beginners. We aim to help you understand what goals you need to set, what steps you should take, and how to make smart passive income.

What is a financial goal?

Financial goals are specific targets you set to help you manage your finances. They include:

• Earning goals

• Spending goals

• Saving goals

• Investment goals

Setting financial goals isn't just about saying you will save $XXX in three months. It's about setting measures to help you achieve the desired outcome. It often involves setting budgets and letting go of certain expenses (such as eating out every day). If you are intentional with your spending, you don't have to feel like you are depriving yourself of things you love.

Benefits of setting financial goals

Goal setting is all about clarity and motivation. Setting personal finance goals allows you to:

• Save up and invest in the type of lifestyle you want

• Prepare for an economic downturn

• Plan for emergencies and changing circumstances

• Save for major purchases

• Set money aside for personal development

The best personal financial goals

1. Create an emergency fund

Life is often unpredictable. The least we can do is prepare for any changing circumstances and emergencies. Emergency funds are a great way to cushion yourself from any financial blow caused by accidents, job loss, medical emergencies, etc. Recent drastic changes in the job market and the economy in general have made emergency funds essential. They form an intermediate financial source, helping people cover their most essential expenses for a while.

Ideally, your emergency fund should contain 6 to 9 months of your monthly living expenses. To raise this amount, you could create an automatic transfer to your savings account. Additionally, you can find things within your budget to cut back on or use apps to make money online. By doing this, you can build your fund slowly and consistently without making radical changes in your life.

2. Get out of debt

I try not to borrow: first you borrow, then you beg. (Ernest Hemingway)

Debt is often a difficult subject to tackle. But given the role it plays in our day to day lives, it necessitates discussion. Whether you are dealing with student loans or massive credit card debt, your main priority should be getting rid of it.

Our advice is:

• Avoid using your credit card for items or services you can do without. After all, it's not free money, and it often comes with additional charges.

• Consider paying off your smallest debt first as you work your way to the higher ones. This will give you a sense of achievement. However, if you have any high-rate debts, prioritize them to minimize additional interest costs resulting from delayed payments.

• Negotiate lower interest rates whenever possible so that you aren't stuck trying paying large amounts of interest.

• Pay more than the minimum monthly amount required, if you can afford it.

• Develop additional streams of income to help you offset your debts – for example, you can download the Honeygain app and make money online:

3. Create a financial plan

The importance of financial planning should never be underestimated. Creating a financial plan allows you to outline your goals and your strategies for wealth creation. It simplifies decision making and justifies your daily financial moves.

While it may seem prudent to create a rigid plan, ensure it remains flexible enough to accommodate changes in circumstances: for example, a plan that's good for when you are a single college student definitely won't work if you get married and/or have children.

A good plan includes your:

• Career plans

• Retirement plans

• Investment plans

• Financial milestones

4. Budget! Budget! Budget!

No financial goal is achievable without a proper budget. Budgeting is a good hack when it comes to personal finance for beginners. It will help you allocate money towards your expenses, savings, investments, and much more. It allows you to track your spending and highlight any unnecessary expenditures.

You can use budgetary apps or go the old fashioned way and create a spreadsheet. Take note of all your incomes and expenses, and check for any patterns. Once you understand your money patterns, you can make informed decisions on how to proceed.

5. Create multiple streams of income

The easiest way to achieve your goals is by making some smart passive income. Relying on your income is fine, but if the last year has taught us anything – it's that the more you have saved up, the better.

Creating multiple streams of income can help you make some major money moves in a short while. You can also create multiple income sources by using apps to make money online, such as Honeygain.

 

Best personal financial goals and tips from Honeygain

1. Make your financial goals more manageable by breaking them down to:

• Short-term goals

• Midterm goals

• Longterm goals

2. Revisit your goals consistently to keep track of your progress and update them.

3. Develop a smart passive income source to help you achieve your goals.

4. Shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset.

5. Create specific goals. Being specific helps you stay focused and pinpoint your progress.

6. Keep a tight budget. Being frugal can help you achieve your goals faster.

Creating and prioritizing your personal finance goals can be challenging. Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the steps you need to take. Remember, wishful thinking will not make your bank account match your wishes – you have to take intentional steps to make it happen!