Series · Lesson 16
Set Goals Beyond Retirement
Home, education, family, career, and independence all compete for the same paycheck.
Key Principle
A financial plan should fund life, not just retirement.
Goal Horizons
- Short term: 0–3 years
- Medium term: roughly 3–10 years
- Long term: 10+ years
For Each Goal
- Dollar target
- Target date
- Priority
- Monthly funding
- Account/investment choice
- Contingency plan
Common Mistakes
- Saving for everything without priorities.
- Investing near-term goals too aggressively.
- Treating retirement as the only legitimate financial goal.
Advisor’s Perspective
Goals create the context for account, tax, liquidity, and investment decisions.
Action Checklist
- List goals
- Rank priorities
- Assign dates
- Assign monthly savings
- Review annually
This is Lesson 16 of the Your First Paycheck Education Series. Continue with Lesson 17: Track Net Worth.
This article is for educational purposes and is not legal, tax, insurance, student-loan, or investment advice. Tax law, contribution limits, employer plans, and insurance terms change. Consult qualified professionals when implementing a plan. Su Bella Vida is not a bank, broker, CPA, or law firm. Read our terms & disclaimer.