Answer These 3 Questions to Achieve Your 2017 Money Goals

We all start with good intentions! But if we don’t think through how we’re actually going to reach our goals, well, we often wave the white flag way before we should.

If taking control of your money is one of your goals this year, you need to come up with a plan. Don’t be the guy or gal whose motivation fizzles. Be the one who’s still intentional with your money this time next year.

To make that happen, think through these three questions now so you have a plan for your money that lasts.

1. Where do I want to be financially at this time next year?

Take a look into the future. Imagine yourself better off, money-wise, by 2018. What does that look like for you? Depending on where you are now and just how gazelle intense you want to get, you might have made a dent in your consumer debt, or you might be coasting through a fully funded retirement plan and gearing up to finally pay off your house. You’ll set yourself up for success by having a solid, definable goal in mind with a timeline in place to reach it.

Use the 7 Baby Steps as an outline to help you break down your goals into tiny, bite-size pieces. Now pull out your calendar and start writing down your goals!

2. How can I kick-start dumping debt for good?

The key to freeing yourself from debt is making a budget and sticking to it so you can see where your money is going. Try it out for about three months to get the hang of it and to see some patterns in your spending. Once you do, it’s pretty simple, and it can actually be fun! This is a habit worth starting.

Once you have a budget, you have to change your perspective on debt. You have to hate it. We mean really, truly despise it. That’ll make you pay it off fast and avoid even more. If you have that mindset, you can say sayonara to debt forever.

That also means you might have to delay some things you really, really want! But if you slog through the painful stuff now, you’ll reap the rewards later.

3. What are my biggest financial obstacles?

Change isn’t easy. If it were, everyone would be debt-free. That’s why you need to identify what’s held you back in the past and attack those obstacles head on. Do you spend money you don’t have? Is your accountability partner MIA? Does an endless stream of emergencies drag you back into debt as soon as you’ve gotten out?

Identify your weaknesses or stumbling blocks so you can protect yourself from them when you’re feeling tempted or backed into a corner. Where are you spending your time? Are your priorities lining up with your goals?

So, now that you’ve faced the hard questions, are you ready to make this year your best year ever? With the right level of determination and a little bit of planning, you can do it!

Financial Peace University can teach you how to identify and overcome your financial obstacles and help you come up with a plan to keep your momentum going. In nine weeks, you will have fun while learning all about saving, budgeting, insurance, communication, and so much more. Buy a membership now!