Use these SMART approach to achieve your financial goals - First step (2024)

FAQs

Use these SMART approach to achieve your financial goals - First step? ›

That's why it's important to set SMART financial goals – goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. Setting specific and measurable financial goals makes it easier for you to track your progress and take corrective steps when necessary.

That's why it's important to set SMART financial goals – goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. Setting specific and measurable financial goals makes it easier for you to track your progress and take corrective steps when necessary.

To write a SMART goal, simply define each component in the SMART acronym. Go in order, and ensure that your proposed goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. If it doesn't meet each of these criteria, slowly refine it until it does.

1. Create and stick to a budget. Not only is budgeting one of the top financial goals people set each new year, but it's also the foundation you should build all your other money goals on. A budget is how you make progress with your money.

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.

An example of a SMART-goal statement might look like this: Our goal is to [quantifiable objective] by [timeframe or deadline]. [Key players or teams] will accomplish this goal by [what steps you'll take to achieve the goal]. Accomplishing this goal will [result or benefit].

1. Make your goal SPECIFIC

The first step in creating a SMART goal is to make it specific. Consider your goal in quantifiable terms by asking yourself the following questions:What do I want to accomplish? Will achieving this goal have an important impact?

SMART goals encompass the five elements of specificity, measurability, assignability, realism, and time-bound.

What is the first step to your goal? ›

Get started on path to financial success with these three steps: determining budgets, tracking spending, and creating realistic savings goals.

Image credit: Jernej F. on Flickr, CC BY 2.0. A better way to write financial goals is to use the SMART method. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. These are five criteria that can help you make your goals clear, realistic, and trackable.

A SMART Goal is a way to organize one's goal to make it more "Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Bound." Example: "I will reduce the amount I owe on my car loan."

Goals should be 'SMART': specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Be specific and as detailed as possible when setting goals. Only then can you derive the current cost of fulfilling that particular goal and plan investments accordingly.

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.

When your goals are measurable, you can make checkpoints along the way that prove you're making progress. For example, if you're hoping to save $8,000 within a year, you can set a midway target of at least $4,000 after 6 months.

A SMART Goal is a way to organize one's goal to make it more "Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Bound." Example: "I will reduce the amount I owe on my car loan."

Get new clients. Growing the number of clients may be a good example of goals for staff accountant within your firm. The purpose of increasing client numbers is to grow the revenue of the firm. You can make this goal smart by defining the number of clients you would like to increase and the period of execution.