We all have things that we want to buy in the future. It could be something as small as a new pair of shoes or as big as a college education. Some of these goals might seem daunting or like you could never have enough money to save, but in reality any goal is achievable with enough planning, motivation, and organization.
1. Keep the Goal in Check
Having a goal to buy a multi million dollar mansion is nice, but if you are on a small salary, it’s probably unwise to make this your primary goal. Goals become a reality when you choose the ones that are in your reach. I’m not saying that you’ll never have a multi million dollar mansion, but in order to get there, you should probably break down the goal first. Perhaps you should pay off your debt or make it a goal to have your income increase first. Maybe you want to start a business to bring in extra money or have a goal to stick to a budget. All of these smaller goals when achieved can help you to reach that big goal, even if it might seem impossible at the time.
2. Stick to a Budget
When you want to save for a goal, one of the best things you can do is stick to a budget. It will probably take time to get used to if you aren’t accustomed to having one, but over time it truly does become second nature. Having a budget forces you to manage your money better and to think about every purchase. The more aware you are of your small, incidental spending, the more money you can direct toward your bigger goals. Essentially, achieving those lofty financial dreams is all about deciding how to spend your money, and one great way to get there is to let go of all those smaller purchases. Budgeting allows you to do just that.
3. Keep Accountable
If there is a goal that you’re really trying hard to reach but you’re lacking the motivation, the best thing you can do is to let others know about it. Whether you do this in person, on Facebook, or by starting a blog, accountability is a great way to stay on track. Ask your friends and family members to check in on your goals. When you know people are going to ask you about it, you’re more likely to work hard at it so you have something positive to report.
Ultimately, no goal is out of reach, no matter how lofty it is. Anything is possible. It just takes a lot of planning and determination to get there. As previously stated, the biggest goals work best when they are broken down into smaller ones and all goals are easier reached if you have the people closest to you cheering you on along the way.
What are some of your biggest saving goals?