From purchasing your first home to creating an emergency fund, everyone should have a financial goal. This guide shares some common financial goals to consider.
They say in order to keep your finances in shape, you need to have something to work for, like financial goals. Financial goals come in all shapes and sizes and can be classified as either short or long term. A short term goal can be defined as one that’s achievable within a 6 month to three year timeframe, while long term goals sit between the three to five years mark, or even longer.
It’s important to have both sets of financial goals put in place to keep you motivated while giving you some small wins along the way. Having financial goals also holds you accountable for keeping your financial health in check and can prevent you from making irresponsible decisions with your money.
For most of us, our biggest challenge isn’t reaching our financial goals, it’s setting them. To give you some inspiration, we’ve revealed some short and long term financial goals you might want to try and share some tips on how you can ensure you reach them all.
Short Term Financial Goal Examples
Short term financial goals are ones that can be appreciated sooner rather than later and often tackle a small financial issue or savings needs. Some examples of short term financial goals are getting debt-free or stashing money away for travel, emergencies or an event.
Pay Down Credit Card Balances
For many households, credit card debt has almost become a regular part of everyday life. According to financial comparison site, Finder, the average credit card balance is $2,690. A considerable 72% of Aussies admitted they would be able to manage their finances without their plastic, suggesting that Aussies might have taken out credit cards when never needed one.
Clearing your credit card debt once and for all can give your family more financial freedom, as you’ll be able to focus on building your long-term wealth. There are many ways to pay down credit card debt, such as paying more than minimum monthly repayment or funnelling any extra cash left in your budget toward your debt. But if you’re prepared to aggressively pay down your debt within a small time frame, a balance transfer credit card can help you save on costs and get you debt-free.
A balance transfer credit card is a card that features a 0% interest rate for a fixed amount of time, ranging from six months to as long as three years. This means you can pay back your debt without accumulating any more interest. Just keep in mind that once the fixed period ends, the card will then revert back to an interest rate which can be on the higher side, so you’ll need to ensure you can pay back the full amount before then.
Consolidate and Refinance Debts
From the car loan you took out in your twenties to that last remaining bit of your credit card balance, personal debt can stunt your financial growth. Take it on once and for all by setting up a payment plan that will get you debt-free.
If you have multiple debts that need to be taken care of, you might want to consider a debt consolidation loan. This is a type of personal loan that combines different types of debt into one monthly payment.
The benefit of a debt consolidation loan is that you’ll no longer have to worry about multiple interest rates and repayments. These kinds of loans also tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards, helping you save on interest in the long run.
Having a clean slate financially will not only give you the freedom to focus on growing your wealth, but you’ll also be saving a bundle in interest and fees.
A Short Term Savings Goal
In addition to your regular savings account, you should consider setting up an emergency savings account. As the name suggests, this is an account that should only be accessed during unforeseen circumstances, like a sudden vet bill, an urgent car repair or even an unexpected kitchen renovation.
The general rule of thumb is that an emergency savings account should be at least three months worth of living expenses. But depending on your circumstances, you may want to save more or less than this amount.
Other short term savings goals you may need to start thinking about are any holidays or travel plans you have coming up. The earlier you start putting money away for these events, the less you will need to rely on credit. While you might have already started saving for these, it might be worth setting up a separate savings account rather than depositing the money into your regular savings account. Doing this will not only give you a clear overview of how you’re tracking, but will make it difficult to spend the money.
Long Term Financial Goal Examples
Long term financial goals are ones that can take years to reach, as they typically require a larger financial investment. Some common examples of long term financial goals are securing a comfortable retirement, creating a passive income or starting a business.
Paying Off Your Mortgage
Owning your own home is a dream shared by many Australians, but unfortunately, sometimes that dream means having to pay off a mortgage over thirty years. Although a mortgage is considered a positive type of debt, as your home will be used to build wealth, it doesn’t mean you have to take the full thirty years to pay back your mortgage. In fact, with the help of a few strategies, you could shave years off your mortgage.
One option might be to split your monthly mortgage repayments in half and make bi-weekly payments. Depending on your interest rate, this could take between four to six years off your mortgage. It might also make these payments easier to manage and squeeze into your budget. However it’s important to note that not all financial institutions allow bi-weekly payments, so get in contact with the lender to see if this is possible for you.
Another way to not only pay off your mortgage faster, but save on interest, is to refinance your loan. This is an especially great idea to do if it’s been a while since you compared your mortgage against other offers on the market, as you could be missing out on a better deal. While it’s important to compare interest rates, it’s also worth looking into any features that come with the loan, like the ability to make extra repayments for free, which can also help you pay back the loan sooner.
A final strategy is to budget for an extra repayment every year. You can do this by setting aside some extra cash every month or by using your tax refund or any monetary bonus you receive during the year.
Plan and Save for Retirement
According to a 2020 survey from AMP, more than three quarters of Aussies believe it’s more important than ever to plan for retirement. With that said, a lot of us still feel unsure about how to properly save for retirement and how much we should be setting aside. The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) estimates that the lump sum amount to maintain a comfortable retirement is $640,000 for a couple and $545,000 for a single person.
Although retirement feels like a lifetime away, the earlier you make a plan for ‘future you’, the better off financially you will be. In addition to your superannuation, it might also be a good idea to start building your own retirement fund. Doing this can ensure you retire comfortably and are able to maintain your current lifestyle.
Alternatively, you can calculate how much you can afford to contribute to your retirement savings, whether that’s on a monthly or yearly basis, and start making regular contributions. Many financial experts recommend having at least 80% of your final annual income amount. For instance, if you retire with an annual income of $100,000, you’ll need $80,000 a year to live comfortably.
A Long Term Savings Goals
When we talk about long term savings goals, ‘passive income’ is a term that tends to surface. Passive income refers to the idea that a person receives a regular income without the need for intense labour - receiving a rental income through an investment property is one example. However, if you plan to live in the property you plan to purchase, share trading is another common way to generate passive income.
Share trading allows you to purchase and receive dividends with little to no effort at all. As you begin to diversify your portfolio, a passive income stream will form over time. Just keep in mind that share trading is meant to be practised for the long haul, meaning you need to be comfortable with parting ways with the money you invest for a long time.
Another way to generate income for yourself is to start a small business. Depending on what kind of business you would like to kickstart, going online could be the best way to do it, as you’ll have access to a wider customer base. Starting a business involves some investment on your part, so be sure your budget and savings can withstand this.
Similarly, picking up a side hustle has also become a popular way to boost your income. There are a variety of options available, from dog walking to renting your wardrobe to content freelancing. Aside from the extra bit of cash, another benefit of side hustles is the flexibility since you can choose your hours and set your own rates.
Since these goals will take you the longest to accomplish, it’s important to pick a long term savings goal that you feel excited and motivated about.
Create a Budget to Reach Your Goals
Once you’ve got your financial goals set, the next step is to create a strategy of how you plan to achieve them. A good place to start is by revisiting or setting up your first budget. Having a tight budget gives you an idea of where your money is going every month and provides an insight into areas where you can reduce costs to boost your savings.
If it’s your first time mapping out a budget, a good place to start is jotting down your annual income to note the amount of money deposited into your bank account every month. From there, you can run through your bank statements and list all the monthly essential expenses you have, such as your rent or mortgage repayments, utility bills, subscriptions and groceries.
The number you’re left with is now your disposable income and is what you’ll have to spend throughout the month as well as contribute to your financial goals. When deciding how much you’ll be able to put toward your financial goals, it’s important to be realistic and set aside some ‘fun money’ for nights out, shopping and other kinds of discretionary spending, so you’re not tempted to dip into your savings and hurt your financial goals.
When getting on your feet financially, managing your money can be a little overwhelming. But with the help of innovative budgeting tools, you can stay in control of your cash flow and nail your financial goals.
For instance, Deferit is a budgeting app that helps you stay ahead with your bills. Deferit pays your bills upfront and on time, meanwhile, you pay it back over 4 fortnightly instalments. Having every bill paid on time helps you avoid being stung with late fees and other penalties. And speaking of fees, Deferit is a 100% interest-free service and charges no late fees, making it a cost-effective tool to have in your repertoire.
Want to learn more about how Deferit can improve your financial management skills? Head on over to our How it Works page!
