Financial goals and their purpose

Financial goals make managing your money easier

Financial goals are targets

Financial goals are targets
Description

The infographic shows two people standing on a grassy field to the right and in front of a red and white dart board that reads “Financial Goals”. The two people are standing together to the right of the image, one is a dark haired man and the other is a blonde haired woman. The man is wearing jeans and a dark t-shirt, and he is holding a dart in his right hand and aiming for the target that reads “Financial Goals”. The woman is wearing jeans and a pink t-shirt, and she is clasping her hands excitedly to cheer him on. Text floats in the middle of the infographic, in the turquoise background colour, between the people and their target. The dark blue text reads: “Financial goals are targets” and the word “targets” is bolded.

Pursuing financial goals can help you:

  • satisfy a want such as saving for a family vacation:
  • ensure that your needs will always be met, such as saving for retirement
  • deal with unexpected events such as a sudden loss of income.

When setting your financial goals, it’s important to always cover your needs before your wants.

A need is a necessity, something that is essential for living. Examples include shelter, groceries and basic clothing.

A want is a desire, something that is non-essential for living but that you would like to have. Examples include vacations, restaurants meals and non-basic clothing.

Setting financial goals is an important step toward post-insolvency financial success. Achieving a goal can be very rewarding, personally satisfying and motivating. It can be a great confidence builder.

Throughout this module you will learn about why you should set financial goals. Later in the module, you will work through an exercise to set your own personal financial goals.

Financial stability and security

Let’s take a moment to review some background material before moving on to setting your financial goals.

Financial stability and security are crucial elements for financial well-being and a positive financial future. Many financial goals are guided by the priority of financial stability and security. As you are completing the module, make sure to thoroughly consider these priorities. The module will discuss strategies to help you achieve and maintain financial security and stability.

Financial stability is the ability to manage financial risks and absorb financial shocks. It provides you with the ability to bounce back from, or withstand, pressure, change or stress related to your finances.

Financial security is the peacefulness you feel when your income is enough to cover all of your expenses. It suggests that you have enough money coming in to cover emergencies and your future financial goals.

Financial stability and financial security are foundational pieces required to have a healthy relationship with money. In this section, you will learn how to evaluate your financial situation and review situations that could pose risks to your financial stability and security.

Please take a moment to review the common risk factors listed below and think about how they affect you:

  • Is your household supported by one or two incomes?
  • Is there anyone in the household with a significant medical or long-term illness?
  • Is your job stable?
  • Is your income stable?
  • Do you have paid sick leave?
  • Do you have workplace disability insurance?

Understanding your financial risk factors is the first step in reducing the impact of unfortunate and unforeseen events. Setting financial goals can help you to protect your financial well-being against certain financial risk factors. The next section will teach you about some common ways to reduce these risks.

image of debtor with counsellor

If you have questions, write them down and bring them to your in-person counselling session.